Undisputed WWE Champion Sami Zayn opened the latest episode of SmackDown by addressing the crowd alongside Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae, following his grueling main event match at Crown Jewel.
Sami Zayn’s Demand for Respect
Zayn kicked off his promo by addressing the audience directly. The champion stated that he now demands the exact same level of respect from the WWE fans that Roman Reigns showed him at Crown Jewel.
Kevin Owens Confronts the Champion
Kevin Owens interrupted the segment and walked down to the ring to speak with his longtime friend. Owens mentioned that he was proud of Zayn for righting wrongs, noting that he did the same thing the previous week when he struck CM Punk with a steel chain and defeated him in singles competition.
Owens praised Zayn as an exceptional WWE champion, adding that critics who mock him do not measure up to Zayn even on his best day. However, Owens pivoted to business by stating that he needs to take the WWE title from Zayn on behalf of everyone who watched him endure months of physical recovery to return to the squared circle.
Johnny Gargano interrupted the conversation, but Owens shrugged him off and moved face-to-face with Zayn. Gargano then delivered a cheap shot and attacked Owens as Zayn walked away. Zayn turned back to give Gargano a nod of approval, just as Owens recovered and dropped his attacker with a stunner.
Owens concluded the segment by warning the champion that his title reign is on borrowed time and that he will be the one to end it.
