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More Backstage Details on Why Sami Zayn Regained the WWE Undisputed Title From CM Punk
Image Credit: WWE
During last week’s WWE SmackDown, Sami Zayn shockingly beat CM Punk, regaining the WWE Undisputed Title. It was later reported by Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio that, although some individuals were against the idea, the title change was done as a long-term storyline decision, stating that he was told, “When it’s all said and done, this will all make sense.”
A new update from PWInsider Elite (via WrestlePurists) has more insight into the matter. According to PWInsider’s report, WWE opted for the title change as officials wanted to avoid a rematch between Punk and Reigns taking place at this year’s WWE Crown Jewel.
For the last two years, WWE has held an annual Crown Jewel Championship at the premium live event, with the men’s and women’s World Champions facing off to determine the winner. Punk remaining champion meant that WWE would’ve had to put together that rematch for this year’s premium live event for the Crown Jewel Championship.
PWInsider also reports that sources within WWE believe that the plan is to have Roman Reigns vs. Sami Zayn headline this year’s Crown Jewel instead. As a result, his title win over Punk puts him in line for the Reigns bout at Crown Jewel, along with setting up multiple challengers for the title. Based on last week’s SmackDown, Johnny Gargano and Kevin Owens also got involved in the title match so they could be potential contenders to Zayn during his title run.
Additionally, WWE reportedly wanted to hold off on a Punk vs. Reigns rematch until later on, when the company wants to move forward with it. In the meantime, WWE Crown Jewel 2026 is slated for Nov. 7. The WWE PLE will be held at the Riyadh Season Stadium at King Abdullah Financial District in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The belief among several spoken to within WWE is that WWE is seeking to headline November's Crown Jewel with Roman Reigns vs. Sami Zayn, thus the title switch from CM Punk to Zayn this past Friday on Smackdown.
The win positions Zayn into that bout as WWE Champion and also leave… pic.twitter.com/9cKOanL8LZ
— WrestlePurists (@WrestlePurists) September 14, 2026
