Sami Zayn Wins WWE Championship at Night of Champions

Sami Zayn captured the Undisputed WWE Championship for the first time in his career on Saturday, defeating champion Cody Rhodes and Gunther in a triple threat match at the Night of Champions premium live event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The climactic match saw all three competitors come close to victory. In the final sequence, Rhodes hit both Zayn and Gunther with a double Cross Rhodes maneuver. As Rhodes attempted to finish Zayn with another Cross Rhodes, Zayn reversed the move into a surprise roll-up pin to secure the win, setting off a raucous celebration in the arena.

The championship match was set in motion on a recent episode of SmackDown. Rhodes had defended his title against Gunther in a rematch from a previous event, with Zayn serving as the special guest referee appointed by Gunther. During that bout, Zayn performed a fast count to give Rhodes the victory, angering Gunther. When Gunther appealed the result and a brawl ensued, Zayn attacked both men, striking Rhodes with the championship belt. Rhodes then requested, and was granted, the triple threat match by SmackDown general manager Nick Aldis.

In interviews before the event, Zayn acknowledged the significance of...