5 Directions For Sami Zayn After He Retained The Undisputed WWE Championship on SmackDown  

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Punk wasn’t finished, either. After the match, he attacked both Owens and Zayn with the GTS, making it obvious that the former champion still has unfinished business with Zayn.

With several WWE Superstars already circling the championship, here are five directions that could shape Sami Zayn’s title reign following the latest episode of SmackDown.

#5. Sami Zayn vs Randy Orton

Randy Orton could become a fresh challenger for Sami Zayn if WWE decides to move the Undisputed WWE Championship story away from the current CM Punk and Kevin Owens angle.

The September 18 episode of SmackDown kept Orton relevant to the main event picture. Despite losing the Money in the Bank qualifying match, his ongoing issues with Cody Rhodes remained one of the Blue Brand’s other major stories. That means WWE has already put Orton prominently on SmackDown, even though he isn’t currently in a direct championship feud with Zayn. With that in mind, a Zayn-Orton program would also give WWE a different dynamic from Zayn’s recent rivalries.

The Viper will certainly view the Undisputed WWE Championship as the next major prize he wants. That could make the feud much more straightforward: Zayn trying to prove he belongs at the top, while Orton aims for No. 15.

#4. Gunther gets another shot at Zayn on SmackDown

This might be one of the most interesting angles in Sami Zayn’s Undisputed WWE Championship reign.

Zayn previously interfered in the No. 1 Contenders Triple Thread Match involving Kevin Owens, Gunther, and Finn Bálor, attacking all three competitors with the WWE Championship. That said, The Ring General has a legitimate score to settle against Zayn.

If WWE wants Zayn’s title reign to be built around consequences from his previous actions, Gunther would be the perfect fit as the champ’s next challenger. It would also allow the story to move away from the CM Punk, Kevin Owens, and Johnny Gargano angle.

#3. Finn Bálor comes looking for revenge

Finn Bálor is another interesting potential challenger for Sami Zayn because their conflict already has a clear starting point. Zayn directly interfered with Bálor’s opportunity to become the No. 1 contender.

On the September 4 episode of SmackDown, Zayn got involved in the Triple Threat Match between Kevin Owens, Gunther, and Finn Bálor. As mentioned, Zayn attacked all three competitors with the Undisputed WWE Championship, effectively preventing the match from producing a No. 1 contender. As a result, Bálor, just like Gunther and Owens, got reasons to hunt down the champ. This makes the Bálor angle different from someone who is simply looking for a title opportunity.

#2. Johnny Gargano could demand what Zayn had promised

Johnny Gargano could become another major problem for Sami Zayn following the chaotic events of the September 18 episode of SmackDown. Gargano claimed Zayn promised him the first opportunity at the Undisputed WWE Championship after Gargano and Candice LeRae had helped Zayn during his pursuit of the title. Zayn, however, disputed Gargano’s version of events and insisted that he never actually agreed to give him a championship match.

The disagreement immediately created tension between the two superstars. SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis eventually stepped in and reminded everyone that Zayn does not have the authority to decide who receives a championship opportunity. The SmackDown GM determines the title matches, leaving Gargano without a guaranteed opportunity he believes Zayn had promised him.

If Johnny Wrestling eventually realizes that helping Zayn retain the title isn’t getting him any closer to a championship match, he could turn on the champ. That would give WWE a way to transition Gargano from an ally into another challenger for the Undisputed WWE Championship.

#1. Cody Rhodes could become Sami Zayn’s next challenger for the Undisputed WWE Championship

Cody Rhodes could eventually turn his attention toward Sami Zayn and the Undisputed WWE Championship. For now, however, Rhodes has more immediate business to handle.

On the September 18 episode of SmackDown, Cody addressed his recent loss to Randy Orton in a sit-down interview with Michael Cole. Their rivalry remains one of the major stories surrounding Rhodes, meaning a championship program with Zayn may have to wait until his situation with Orton is resolved.

However, WWE has already placed Cody Rhodes’ name among the potential threats to Sami Zayn’s championship. That makes him an obvious option for a future title program.

If The American Nightmare finishes his rivalry with his mentor and remains without a major championship program, Sami Zayn could become an obvious target. WWE could even use the situation to create tension between Rhodes’ desire to return to the top of the SmackDown roster and Zayn’s determination to hold on to the championship he fought so hard to reclaim.

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