Sami Zayn addresses potential challengers ahead of SummerSlam

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Before all of his ride or dies even finished celebrating his first WWE title win, some were already fretting about Brock Lesnar’s music hitting during Sami Zayn’s first promo as champ. It seemed reasonable, as wrestling fan fears go. The rumor mill immediately told us to expect a short run with the belt, so having Lesnar end Zayn’s reign like he was a New Day member would still get to the Lesnar/Oba Femi trilogy match everyone was expecting at SummerSlam before Oba became King of the Ring. But if you watched or have caught up with this week’s Raw, you know WWE is just doing Oba/Brock III anyway. The champ reacted to their SummerSlam Hell in a Cell match on Raw Recap with Sam Roberts and Megan Morant… with probably more words than were necessary, in typical SZ style: “You know, I’ll be honest, this is not to say I’m looking past Oba whatsoever — trust me. But, my head was more wrapped up in just like, ‘Hey, can I get a minute? [laughs] Can I just get a second here? 10-plus years chasing this, can I have just one moment?’ “But no, of course, you have to rise to the occasion. I don’t care who the challenger is. I don’t care if it’s Brock , I don’t care if it’s Roman, I don’t care if it’s Oba. I’ve been in the ring with monsters. I’m not saying it would be a cakewalk, but, I’m not gonna back down either. I don’t mean to sound like… bravado here, I’m not trying to make myself seem more courageous than I am. He is very imposing. There’s no doubt. But I don’t care who it is. That’s the thing about being WWE champion, you kinda have to — you got to. “Was I a little relieved? I mean, maybe — yeah, sure. Sure. But, whoever, whoever. That’s gotta be part of it. That’s part of the game. That’s what you want, to be a fighting champion, right? Which is why I don’t understand why Cody gets so bent out of shape when I’m like, you know, golden boy. That’s what you want! That’s what you want, and now it’s mine. So like, I live up to that in the same respect, like any and all comers, I can’t back down, you know? .… sure, it’s nice to see Oba going off with Brock. That’s nice. You guys go ahead [laughs].” Femi “going off with” Lesnar means the champ’s dance card is open for the Biggest Party of the Summer. We heard from a fellow Bloodline member who’s coming for the Honorary Uce’s strap. But as it was at the end of the above quote, Zayn’s mind is on the man who didn’t even want to give him a shot at Night of Champions! Happy birthday to my friend Cody Rhodes. pic.twitter.com/kU3pE0yIIu — Sami Zayn (@SamiZayn) June 30, 2026 Happy birthday, QB1! Share your reaction to WWE champ Sami Zayn missing Brock Lesnar and Oba Femi at SummerSlam in the comments below. Or let us know who you think Zayn should defend against on Aug. 1 or 2 in Minneapolis. Or just send Cody a “happy birthday”. Whatever. We’ll just be happy to hear from our ride or dies.