On August 15th, WWE Friday Night SmackDown kicked off with a major surprise when Sami Zayn officially joined the SmackDown roster and immediately set his sights on the United States Championship, a title he has never held before. The announcement marked a fresh chapter for Zayn following his recent tenure on RAW.
Opening Confrontation Between Sami Zayn and Solo Sikoa’s Faction
The show began with Solo Sikoa and his faction, including Talla Tonga, JC Mateo, and Tonga Loa, boasting about their control over SmackDown. Their celebration was interrupted when Sami Zayn’s music played, generating an enthusiastic response from the audience. Appearing in street clothes, Zayn spoke candidly about his previous chase for the World Heavyweight Championship and how missing out gave him a new focus.
Zayn called out Solo Sikoa directly, acknowledging the influence Sikoa had on his new path and declaring his intention to go after the U.S. Title. When Sikoa demanded that Zayn leave SmackDown, Zayn dropped the bombshell:
“I’m coming for you, Solo, and for the United States Championship.”
—Sami Zayn
Escalating Tensions Lead to Six-Man Tag Team Main Event
The confrontation quickly escalated into a physical encounter as Zayn blocked a punch from Sikoa, but the rest of the MFT faction swarmed him. Jimmy Uso rushed to aid Zayn, but the numbers were still against them until Jacob Fatu made a surprise appearance to balance the odds.
Shortly after, SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis intervened to restore order and announced a high-stakes six-man tag team match for later that night, featuring Sami Zayn, Jimmy Uso, and Jacob Fatu against Solo Sikoa’s team.
Impact of Zayn’s Move and Upcoming Storylines
This debut segment firmly established Sami Zayn as a key fan-favorite on SmackDown and set the stage for his pursuit of the United States Championship. The angle also built anticipation for the main event involving Zayn and his new allies against Sikoa’s faction, promising an intense rivalry ahead on SmackDown.
