Sami Zayn successfully defended his United States Championship on the latest episode of WWE SmackDown, maintaining his reign after a difficult match against Je’Von Evans. This defense came shortly after Zayn’s move from Monday Night RAW to SmackDown, where he initially captured the US Title by defeating Solo Sikoa on August 29.
Sami Zayn Reignites United States Title Open Challenge with New Opponent
Following his championship victory, Sami Zayn revived his United States Championship open challenge, a tradition he asked to continue with approval from John Cena. On the September 5 SmackDown, Zayn called out The Never Seen 17 as his first challenger; however, that match was interrupted by Brock Lesnar’s surprise attack on both Cena and Zayn, which ended the contest without a winner and set up a future encounter between Lesnar and Cena at Wrestlepalooza.
Over the past two weeks, Zayn remained active in defending his US Title through open challenges, successfully overcoming opponents such as Rey Fenix and Carmelo Hayes. On the most recent episode, Zayn was unexpectedly challenged by Je’Von Evans, a young talent from NXT whom Zayn had previously advised during Evans’s appearances on that brand.
Je’Von Evans Pushes Sami Zayn to the Limit in Title Match
Je’Von Evans put forth an impressive and determined effort against the seasoned champion, pushing Zayn close to defeat multiple times. Despite Evans’s relentless attacks and skillful offense, Sami Zayn managed to retain his United States Championship in a hard-fought contest, showcasing his resilience as a veteran competitor. After the match concluded, Zayn acknowledged Evans’s effort by raising his hand in a sign of respect, highlighting the competitive but sportsmanlike spirit between the two.
“Nothing but respect between @SamiZayn and @WWEJeVonEvans! 🙌” — WWE
Uncertainty Surrounds WWE’s Upcoming Storylines and Title Defenses
As Sami Zayn holds onto the United States Championship amid ongoing challenges, WWE fans remain eager to see how his open challenge will evolve and which future contenders will step forward. The presence of rising stars like Je’Von Evans signals a possible shift in competition levels, while the interference of major names such as Brock Lesnar continues to create unpredictability in WWE’s storytelling.
Meanwhile, speculation about John Cena’s upcoming matches and WWE’s long-term plans for its stars adds to the suspense. With Wrestlepalooza and other major events on the horizon, the landscape for the US Title, as well as Cena’s retirement tour, remains tense yet hopeful for new chapters in WWE’s evolving narratives.
ARE YOU KIDDING, JE'VON?!?! 🤯@WWEJeVonEvans pic.twitter.com/PEzI24Vy4U
— WWE (@WWE) September 27, 2025
Nothing but respect between @SamiZayn and @WWEJeVonEvans! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/nOHIeVQCS8
— WWE (@WWE) September 27, 2025
