Sami Zayn remains the Undisputed WWE Champion after defeating Kevin Owens in the main event of the September 18, 2026 episode of WWE SmackDown, with the finish shaped by outside interference from CM Punk, Candice LeRae and Johnny Gargano.
According to Fightful, the segment that set up the match began earlier in the show when Zayn was talking with Nick Aldis. Johnny Gargano interrupted, demanding the title match he claimed Zayn had promised him, though Zayn denied ever making that offer. Kevin Owens then appeared and also sought a shot at the championship, and the confrontation ultimately led to Owens facing Zayn for the title in the night’s closing match.
Per F4W Online, the finish saw run-ins from Candice LeRae and Johnny Gargano before CM Punk struck Kevin Owens with the championship belt, allowing Sami Zayn to make the cover and retain the title as the referee counted to three. 411Mania similarly reported that Punk’s interference was the decisive factor in preserving Zayn’s reign.
eWrestlingNews noted that the match itself was marred by an awkward botch during the closing sequence between the two longtime rivals, though the outcome stood as Zayn’s title defense.
WWE has since posted the full Undisputed Championship match from the episode, according to WrestleView, allowing fans to revisit the contest and its chaotic finish.
The involvement of CM Punk, Candice LeRae and Johnny Gargano leaves open questions about where the championship picture goes next, with Kevin Owens having come up short in his bid to reclaim the title and Gargano’s earlier demand for a title opportunity still unresolved.
