Sami Zayn defeats CM Punk to reclaim the Undisputed WWE Championship

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - SEPTEMBER 11: CM Punk celebrates with the crowd during SmackDown at Arena Ciudad de Mexico on September 11, 2026 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Craig Ambrosio/WWE via Getty Images) | WWE via Getty Images CM Punk was WWE champion for all of 67 days before he lost the title to Sami Zayn on this week’s episode of Friday Night SmackDown in Mexico City. It was a legitimate surprise, considering Zayn winning the title the first time felt like a transitional run unlikely to be repeated, no matter how much he may deserve the spot after all his years of hard work. Punk is still the bigger star, and that carries a lot of weight. But there are some interesting stories to tell with Zayn as champion and Kevin Owens getting involved in all this, playing such a big part in the finish. It’s highly likely the three of them are headed for something from here, we just don’t know what yet. For his part, Punk has responded to the defeat by doing his best John Cena and getting all inspirational with it. From his Instagram stories: “I lost. 67 day undisputed title run. At 47. I’d like to say I did it on purpose for my boy Je’Von Evans but nobody wants to lose. Here’s the thing: Winners lose way more than losers do. I don’t have to try again. I get to try again. I didn’t have to come to Mexico. I don’t HAVE to do house shows. I get to. I get to wrestle in front of the best fans in the world in Guadalajara, Monterrey and Mexico City. I don’t have to get the title back. I get to try to get the title back. I don’t HAVE to come to work. I GET TO COME TO WORK. So I’ll see you all in Corpus Christi. I will get MY title back. You don’t have to watch. You get to.” I don’t know when it happened but Punk has become so much like Cena as he’s gotten older and become much more of a focal point within WWE. Maybe it’s just the nature of the gig? Or perhaps the old dog has learned to appreciate what he has while he still has it? That’s a nice thought, and something we should all aspire to. Right?

For the first time in 15 years, WWE broadcast live from Mexico City with a jam-packed episode of SmackDown.Featuring four title matches and headlined by a WWE Championship bout between CM Punk and Sami Zayn, SmackDown didn’t disappoint in its return to Mexico City.Let’s recap all the action from Friday’s SmackDown.Sami Zayn Wins WWE ChampionshipThere […] The post Sami Zayn Wins WWE Championship in Mexico City appeared first on HEAVY.

Sami Zayn is once again Undisputed WWE Champion after surviving interference during his "WWE SmackDown" match with 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.

WWE SmackDown results, winners and grades from Mexico City as Sami Zayn wins his second WWE title.