Randy Orton defeated Sami Zayn during a crucial semifinal bout on the June 20 edition of SmackDown, abruptly halting Sami Zayn’s King of the Ring tournament journey. The match took place as both superstars battled for a coveted place in the final at Night of Champions on June 28, set in Saudi Arabia.
A Promising Beginning for Sami Zayn
Before the anticipated match, Sami Zayn shared his resolve during a promo, emphasizing that it was finally his turn to fight for his own moment, after years spent helping friends like Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso achieve their greatest successes. Randy Orton countered Sami’s words, acknowledging Sami’s championship potential but insisting that this summer would not mark his triumph, warning that he would be the next victim of Orton’s signature move, the RKO.
The Match and Its Dramatic Conclusion
As the contest unfolded, Orton’s prediction played out with remarkable precision. Although Sami Zayn successfully evaded one RKO attempt, he was caught off-guard moments later, succumbing to a second RKO and being pinned for the count. Orton’s victory was decisive, marking the end of Zayn’s impressive run in this year’s King of the Ring tournament.
Implications for the King of the Ring Final
With this win, Randy Orton advances to the tournament’s final, where he will face either Cody Rhodes or Jey Uso to determine who will be crowned King of the Ring at Night of Champions in Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, anticipation builds for next week’s Raw, where Karrion Kross is expected to confront Sami Zayn, reinforcing the narrative and fallout from this high-stakes defeat.
Sami Zayn’s King of the Ring tournament journey underscored both his personal determination and involvement in stories with key WWE figures such as Cody Rhodes, Jey Uso, and Karrion Kross. As fans reflect on this intense semifinal and look forward to the finals, the result has shifted momentum towards Orton, while leaving open questions about what’s next for Zayn following his dramatic SmackDown loss.
