WWE Superstar Sami Zayn is set to face Drew McIntyre for the Undisputed Championship at the 2026 Royal Rumble event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. In anticipation of the high-stakes showdown, Zayn has publicly challenged the Scottish Warrior with a rare display of provocation, signaling increased tension between the two competitors.
On the social platform X (formerly Twitter), Zayn, a key member of The Underground faction, posted a GIF showing him slapping McIntyre during a recent SmackDown episode, responding directly to McIntyre’s comment about meeting Zayn at the Rumble.
“Not if I see you first my dawg,” Zayn wrote.
Background on Their Competitive History
Sami Zayn and Drew McIntyre have clashed several times over their wrestling careers, but McIntyre has maintained a dominant record. The Scotsman currently holds a 12-0 winning streak against Zayn, having last defeated him on January 27, 2025, almost exactly one year before their upcoming Royal Rumble encounter on January 31, 2026.
Despite his past losses, Zayn remains a formidable contender, especially as the reigning number one challenger after Saturday Night’s Main Event. When McIntyre unexpectedly attacked Zayn following this achievement, the Canadian star fought back, throwing McIntyre over the top rope and neutralizing the surprise assault.
Zayn’s Quest for the World Title
Sami Zayn has never captured a WWE world title since joining the main roster in 2015, a fact his rivals often emphasize to undermine him during promos. Wrestlers like Gunther and Karrion Kross have previously used his championship drought as a psychological tactic. However, Zayn enters the event as a popular figure in Saudi Arabia and a credible threat to McIntyre’s championship reign.
The upcoming match in Riyadh could mark a landmark moment if Zayn secures his first world title, ending a long-standing gap in his career achievements and intensifying his status within WWE.
Not if I see you first my dawg. https://t.co/OCzM1YQxq4 pic.twitter.com/XhN3WCV140
— Sami Zayn (@SamiZayn) January 28, 2026
