CM Punk Helps Sami Zayn Retain WWE Championship Against Kevin Owens On 9/18 WWE SmackDown
CM Punk helps Sami Zayn retain the WWE Championship.
On the 9/18 WWE SmackDown, Sami Zayn had a segment with Nick Aldis. Johnny Gargano interrupted them and asked for the WWE Title match that Zayn promised him, although Zayn said he never did such a thing. Kevin Owens later appeared as well.
He also wanted a title shot against Zayn, but Candice LeRae said it was Gargano’s turn. Owens then delivered a Stunner to Gargano. He was later granted a WWE Title match against Zayn after the champion grabbed Aldis’ blazer.
WHAT IS GOING ON HERE??? 😳
JOHNNY GARGANO AND CANDICE LERAE JUST INSERTED THEMSELVES INTO THE MAIN EVENT TO HELP SAMI ZAYN??? pic.twitter.com/hIpySSppIy
— WWE (@WWE) September 19, 2026
The match saw Johnny Gargano try to interfere on Zayn’s behalf. The referee stopped him on the apron, which allowed Candice LeRae an opportunity to hit Owens with a Tornado DDT. Zayn followed it up with a Helluva Kick, but couldn’t get the pinfall.
CM PUNK IS HERE!!! 🙌
HE JUST HIT KEVIN OWENS WITH THE WWE TITLE! pic.twitter.com/Whhs9pQuE2
— WWE (@WWE) September 19, 2026
Towards the end of the bout, Gargano tried to attack Owens with the WWE Title. But Owens managed to hit him with the Stunner first. Shortly after, CM Punk hit Owens with the WWE Championship.
Zayn went for the cover, but Owens barely managed to kick out. Zayn managed to deliver a Helluva Kick to Owens, and this time, he got the victory. This was his first successful title defense as the WWE Champion.
The BITW CM PUNK just delivered a GTS to THE CHAMP! 😴
Punk clearly not finished with Sami Zayn yet…
Sleep well, Sami! pic.twitter.com/dSdFJecXPY
— WWE (@WWE) September 19, 2026
After the match, Punk delivered several blows to Zayn before hitting him with the GTS. He then hit a GTS on Owens as well to close the show.
In the meantime, fans can read Fightful’s live coverage of WWE SmackDown by clicking here. They can also head over to Fightful’s YouTube channel for the post-show review and highlights stream.
