On tonight’s WWE SmackDown, Sami Zayn successfully defended his United States Championship in a surprising open challenge match against Rey Fenix. This follow-up to his recent victory over Solo Sikoa demonstrated Zayn’s determination to retain the title amidst fierce competition and an electric atmosphere.
Sami Zayn’s Rise and Recent United States Title Victory
Sami Zayn has been gaining significant momentum since his transfer to WWE SmackDown. After pinning Solo Sikoa on the August 15 episode, Zayn secured a United States Title match two weeks later, where he triumphed over Sikoa to become champion. Building on this success, last week on SmackDown, Zayn interrupted John Cena’s segment to announce his intention to revive the US Open Challenge, inviting Cena to be his initial challenger. However, their planned match was abruptly halted when Brock Lesnar intervened, attacking both men and causing a no-contest finish.
Intense Title Defense Against Rey Fenix on SmackDown
Tonight, Sami Zayn continued his US Open Challenge by defending the United States Championship against Rey Fenix, a former AEW star known for his high-flying style. Fenix pushed Zayn to his limits with a thrilling performance that captivated the live crowd, keeping fans on the edge of their seats. Despite the intense challenge, Zayn ultimately prevailed, maintaining his grip on the title after a hard-fought contest.
Insights on Sami Zayn’s Recent Challenges and Crowd Reaction
Earlier in the week, Vince Russo discussed Sami Zayn’s interaction with John Cena on SmackDown. Zayn had acknowledged how Cena once provided him with a major opportunity to compete for the United States Championship and expressed a desire to emulate that by launching his own US Open Challenge. Russo noted that Zayn appeared unsettled by the hostile Chicago crowd during this segment, which heavily booed him, forcing the champion to shift his approach in an attempt to appease the audience.
“Yeah, bro, I swear to God, if you go back and watch this, Mac, your boy, Sami, was getting rattled by the viewers. We ain’t in Paris, Sami, we ain’t in freaking Paris. We’re in Chicago. And he was getting freaking rattled, and he so had to go the other way. ‘Oh, these people–‘ Okay, alright, bro.”
—Vince Russo, Wrestling Commentator
With tonight’s defense behind him, the question now turns to who will step forward to challenge Sami Zayn for the United States Championship next, as his willingness to embrace open competition is clear despite the pressures and tensions surrounding his reign.
