Sami Zayn capped a decade long journey in WWE to the very top as he became WWE champion for the first time at Night of Champions.
Zayn overcame both Gunther and Cody Rhodes in an enthralling triple threat match in Saudi Arabia.
Zayn’s win went down a treat with the crowd in Riyadh, especially after he had come out in traditional Saudi dress to pay homage to his Muslim beliefs.
Of course, WWE’s fanbase is going to be split on whether crowning Zayn was the right decision or not.
But for those who know him best from within the industry, there was no doubting the delight, as Kevin Owens and Becky Lynch demonstrated.
How Kevin Owens and Becky Lynch reacted to Sami Zayn’s WWE title win
Anyone who follows WWE will know that Owens and Zayn are close friends.
Over the years, they’ve put on some absolute clinics in the ring both as rivals and partners and with Owens out injured right now, he was always going to be cheering his good pal on.
Sure enough, he took to X right away to share his feelings on Zayn’s win.
“I’ve missed a lot of things I wish I hadn’t in the last 15 months because of this injury but today is, by far, the one I wish I had been there for the most. He has brought out the best in me as both an ally and a foe. That’s because he is THE best.
“When you’re consistently that good for that long, you become undeniable. Sami becoming WWE Champion was inevitable. He has deserved that moment for a very long time and I am so happy to see him finally get it. Now enjoy these pictures of me annoying him at various stages of our careers. The last one is him putting on my sock in a hotel room in the middle of nowhere in Texas because I thought I had broken my back the night before and could not move. He had to help me put on my boxers too. Look how happy he is… Now tell me he doesn’t deserve to be champion!”
It wasn’t just Owens who was impressed either and happy for Zayn.
Clearly a popular member of the WWE roster behind the scenes, women’s legend and current superstar Becky Lynch also posted on X.
It remains to be seen if Zayn will have a long or short reign as WWE champion.
With SummerSlam approaching and Oba Femi having just won King of the Ring, there could well be a chance for WWE to crown Femi by beating Zayn.
Nevertheless, come WWE Raw tomorrow, fans will be eager to welcome the new champ with open arms.
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