Why did Sami Zayn lost his WWE title against CM Punk on WWE RAW? Real reason revealed
(Courtesy : WWE)
New report sheds light on why WWE ended Sami Zayn’s championship reign after just nine days
CM Punk made history on Monday Night RAW by defeating Sami Zayn in front of his hometown crowd in Chicago to capture his eighth world championship in WWE.
The victory ended Sami Zayn’s Undisputed WWE Championship reign after just nine days, leaving many fans questioning why WWE crowned him at Night of Champions only to take the title away so quickly.
While the booking decision surprised many, a new report has provided insight into the company’s thinking behind the title change.
Sami Zayn’s championship reign ends after just one successful celebration
Sami Zayn completed one of the biggest moments of his career at Night of Champions when he defeated Cody Rhodes and Gunther in a Triple Threat Match to become the Undisputed WWE Champion.
The emotional victory not only fulfilled a long-awaited goal but also completed Zayn’s journey to becoming a WWE Grand Slam Champion after years of perseverance.
However, his reign lasted only nine days.
Originally, Cody Rhodes had earned a championship opportunity by defeating Jey Uso in a No. 1 Contender’s Match on Friday Night SmackDown.
Those plans changed after Gunther attacked Rhodes backstage before the title match could take place, opening the door for CM Punk to make his surprise return after a three-month absence.
Punk immediately stepped into the championship match on Monday Night RAW and defeated Zayn to begin his eighth world title reign.
The abrupt title change immediately sparked debate among fans, with many questioning whether Zayn had simply been used as a transitional champion.
Report explains WWE’s reported reasoning behind the decision
According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter (WON), WWE’s decision may have come down to how the company currently views Zayn as a drawing attraction.
The report claims WWE does not consider Sami Zayn to be a “money player,” making it less likely that the company would build a lengthy world championship reign around him.
If accurate, that internal assessment could explain why WWE quickly transitioned the title to CM Punk ahead of SummerSlam season.
Despite the brief reign, Sami Zayn’s championship victory still represented one of the defining accomplishments of his WWE career.
After signing with WWE in 2013 and debuting on the main roster two years later against John Cena for the United States Championship, Zayn steadily became one of the company’s most beloved performers.
His career reached another level in 2022 through The Bloodline storyline, eventually leading to a WrestleMania 39 main event appearance and widespread fan support.
Winning the Undisputed WWE Championship finally completed his journey, secured Grand Slam Champion status and significantly strengthened what many already viewed as a future WWE Hall of Fame résumé.
As for what’s next, Zayn’s immediate direction remains unclear following the loss.
Meanwhile, CM Punk’s first major championship program is widely expected to be against Cody Rhodes at SummerSlam, setting up one of WWE’s biggest headline matches of the year.
Although Sami Zayn’s reign proved remarkably short, his title victory remains one of the most emotional moments of 2026 and may still play a major role in his long-term legacy.
Why did Sami Zayn lose the WWE Championship so quickly?
According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, WWE reportedly does not view Sami Zayn as a “money player,” which may have influenced the decision to move the title to CM Punk.
How long was Sami Zayn’s WWE Championship reign?
Sami Zayn held the Undisputed WWE Championship for nine days after winning it at Night of Champions.
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