Sami Zayn is preparing to make WWE history as he competes at the Royal Rumble in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. On January 24, during Saturday Night’s Main Event, Zayn earned the opportunity to challenge Undisputed WWE Champion Drew McIntyre, aiming to capture the world title in what is arguably one of the most critical matches of his career.
Road to the Title Shot: Key Matches and Victory
In order to secure his place in the Fatal Four-Way encounter at Saturday Night’s Main Event, Zayn won a decisive singles match on SmackDown against Ilja Dragunov. Following that, during the Fatal Four-Way match that included Randy Orton, Trick Williams, and Damian Priest, Zayn pinned Priest to clinch the coveted title shot. This victory marked a pivotal moment on his path toward WWE championship glory.
A Message to Fans Before the Title Bout
Less than two days before the matchup, Zayn reached out to the WWE Universe with a confident message posted on X (formerly Twitter). Accompanying a fan-made video highlighting moments from his wrestling journey, he tweeted,
“The hour is almost upon us.”
This video featured the emotional segment where Zayn discussed John Cena’s retirement and his conversation with his son about Cena’s record 17 world titles, sparking Zayn’s own drive to win a world championship.
Highlights of Sami Zayn’s Career and Challenges
The montage included key instances such as Zayn’s victory over Gunther at WrestleMania XL, which ended the Intercontinental Championship holder’s historic 666-day reign. It also showed his unsuccessful attempt against Gunther for the world title, as well as the WrestleMania 39 Night 1 main event, where Zayn and Kevin Owens defeated the Usos to win the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships, ending the Usos’ 622-day dominance. However, Zayn fell short in his bid to claim the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship against Roman Reigns.
Transformation From Underdog to Confident Contender
The final clip featured the moment in the Fatal Four-Way match where Zayn pinned Damian Priest, narrowly keeping Randy Orton from breaking the pinfall. This build-up from past struggles to a poised challenger shows a clear shift in his character—from an underdog to a determined competitor aiming to unseat Drew McIntyre and claim WWE’s highest honor. Sami Zayn’s pursuit at the Royal Rumble underscores a significant moment in his wrestling career and could redefine his standing within the WWE Universe.
The hour is almost upon us
pic.twitter.com/VsW0PJm6Xh— Sami Zayn (@SamiZayn) January 29, 2026
