Sami Zayn defeats CM Punk to reclaim the Undisputed WWE Championship
3 sources • 3 min read • Latest: Sep 12, 2026, 2:15 AM
Last updated Sep 12, 2026
Sami Zayn secured the Undisputed WWE Championship on Friday night at Arena CDMX in Mexico City by pinning CM Punk in the main event of WWE SmackDown. The contest featured multiple outside interventions, including appearances by Johnny Gargano, Candice LeRae, and Kevin Owens. Punk struggled with a knee injury sustained early in the match, which factored into the final sequence as he attempted to recover from a series of disruptions. After Owens accidentally struck Punk with the title belt, Zayn capitalized with a low blow followed by a Helluva Kick to earn the three-count. This result marks the beginning of Zayn's second reign with the title following his loss to Punk nine days earlier. Randy Orton, who kicked off the event, issued a public warning to the winner of the bout regarding his own championship aspirations.
- •Sami Zayn pinned CM Punk in the main event of SmackDown in Mexico City.
- •The match featured interference from Johnny Gargano, Candice LeRae, and Kevin Owens.
- •CM Punk sustained an in-match knee injury that affected his performance.
- •This win marks the start of Sami Zayn’s second reign as Undisputed WWE Champion.
- •Randy Orton signaled his intent to pursue the title following the match result.
- 2:15 AMWrestling Inc — Sami Zayn Regains Undisputed WWE Title After Crowded SmackDown Match With CM Punk
- 2:06 AMCageside Seats — Sami Zayn wins the WWE championship back from CM Punk
- 2:03 AMYahoo Sports — WWE SmackDown Results, Winners And Grades As Sami Zayn Beats CM Punk In Mexico City
"Sami Zayn finally got his one-on-one match for the WWE championship against CM Punk in the main event of this week’s episode of Friday Night SmackDown in Mexico City. The champ decided he was good and tired of Zayn whining about how unfair it all is that his nine day reign ended the way it did. Zayn recruited Johnny Gargano to try to help him win the title, with the idea the two would square up for the gold once the title changed hands. Sure enough, Johnny Wrestling and his wife, Candice LeRae, were out just in time to ensure the referee didn’t see Sami tapping to the Anaconda Vise. Gargano then ran in with the belt and what ensued was a wild back-and-forth. Gargano was taken out by Punk with a GTS but Kevin Owens was next to run in, grabbing the title to try knocking Zayn out with it. Sami ducked and Punk took the shot. When Owens tried to do the same to his old friend, he was hit with a low blow and taken out of the picture. The follow up Helluva Kick to a now loopy Punk was enough to get the three count and give Zayn his second reign as WWE champion. SAMI ZAYN IS THE NEW UNDISPUTED WWE CHAMPION!!!! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/ZpwW38kmpW — WWE (@WWE) September 12, 2026 Are you surprised? And does that mean Johnny Gargano is getting another title match?!? Get complete SmackDown results and coverage of this week’s entire episode by clicking here.
"Sami Zayn is once again Undisputed WWE Champion after surviving interference during his "WWE SmackDown" match with CM Punk.
"WWE SmackDown results, winners and grades from Mexico City as Sami Zayn wins his second WWE title.
Sources
External links- Wrestling IncSep 12, 2026, 2:15 AMSami Zayn Regains Undisputed WWE Title After Crowded SmackDown Match With CM Punk
Sami Zayn is once again Undisputed WWE Champion after surviving interference during his "WWE SmackDown" match with CM Punk.
- Cageside SeatsSep 12, 2026, 2:06 AMSami Zayn wins the WWE championship back from CM Punk
Sami Zayn finally got his one-on-one match for the WWE championship against CM Punk in the main event of this week’s episode of Friday Night SmackDown in Mexico City. The champ decided he was good and tired of Zayn whining about how unfair it all is that his nine day reign ended the way it did. Zayn recruited Johnny Gargano to try to help him win the title, with the idea the two would square up for the gold once the title changed hands. Sure enough, Johnny Wrestling and his wife, Candice LeRae, were out just in time to ensure the referee didn’t see Sami tapping to the Anaconda Vise. Gargano then ran in with the belt and what ensued was a wild back-and-forth. Gargano was taken out by Punk with a GTS but Kevin Owens was next to run in, grabbing the title to try knocking Zayn out with it. Sami ducked and Punk took the shot. When Owens tried to do the same to his old friend, he was hit with a low blow and taken out of the picture. The follow up Helluva Kick to a now loopy Punk was enough to get the three count and give Zayn his second reign as WWE champion. SAMI ZAYN IS THE NEW UNDISPUTED WWE CHAMPION!!!! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/ZpwW38kmpW — WWE (@WWE) September 12, 2026 Are you surprised? And does that mean Johnny Gargano is getting another title match?!? Get complete SmackDown results and coverage of this week’s entire episode by clicking here.
- Yahoo SportsSep 12, 2026, 2:03 AMWWE SmackDown Results, Winners And Grades As Sami Zayn Beats CM Punk In Mexico City
WWE SmackDown results, winners and grades from Mexico City as Sami Zayn wins his second WWE title.
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