Tony Schiavone Assesses Sami Zayn Losing the WWE Title to CM Punk, Is Happy Zayn Got To Hold the Title

During the latest edition of his What Happened When podcast, AEW broadcaster Tony Schiavone assessed Sami Zayn losing the title to CM Punk last Monday on WWE Raw in Chicago. Zayn lost the title only nine days after winning it at Night of Champions.

Schiavone speculated that the title switch means WWE didn’t want to switch the title from Cody Rhodes to CM Punk. Schiavone said of Sami Zayn quickly losing the title to CM Punk (via WrestlingInc.com). “That tells me they didn’t want to switch the title from Cody to CM Punk.”

With regards to Zayn losing the title so quickly, Schiavone added, “Well, I’m glad they gave Sami the title for at least 9 days, ’cause once you’ve won the championship, they can never take away the fact that you won the championship away from you.”

As previously reported, A WWE Title bout between CM Punk and Cody Rhodes is heavily rumored for WWE SummerSlam 2026 next month. Additionally, WWE released a video showing an emotionally devastated Zayn crashing out following his defeat (see below).

.@SamiZayn speaks. 😳 pic.twitter.com/W6dE3Z39XS

— WWE (@WWE) July 7, 2026