Sami Zayn said before walking into a triple-threat match for the Undisputed WWE Championship at Night of Champions on Saturday that he didn’t know how the fans in Saudi Arabia would react if he won.
He got his answer sooner than he thought.
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Cody Rhodes, the defending champion, had both Zayn and Gunther lined up for Cross Rhodes toward the end of the match. He landed the move on Zayn but essentially tossed Gunther out of the ring
Rhodes pulled Zayn into the middle of the ring for one more Cross Rhodes, but Zayn slipped out of it and rolled the “American Nightmare” up and got the three count for the incredible win. The crowd in Riyadh went wild as Zayn surprised everyone.
WWE broadcaster Michael Cole described the pin as a “miracle.”
“A miracle in Riyadh,” Cole said.
The pro wrestling community was ecstatic for the “Last Real Good Guy” in the sport.
Zayn was in tears as he received the belt from referee Dan Engler. It is the first WWE world championship of any kind for Zayn. He also becomes the latest wrestler to be a grand slam champion in WWE.
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“A lot has been said about me – some good and lately, some bad. A lot of folks said I would never win the WWE championship,” he said afterward. “But I stand here tonight in front of my people in Riyadh. … It is hard to believe. Oh my God. I’m not usually at a loss for words but …”
Zayn was still trying to fathom the moment as fans shouted, “You deserve it.”
“You know what? You’re damn right I deserve it. Twenty plus years in the game at the highest level – never got the recognition. Ten plus years chasing this championship – never got the recognition. I don’t care what happens to me tomorrow, next week, next month, next year. Forever, I will be, Sami Zayn, WWE champion.”
Meanwhile, Gunther was irate with SmackDown GM Nick Aldis in the back and the two had a physical altercation.
