Sami Zayn commenced his reign as WWE Champion on the July 3 episode of WWE SmackDown by delivering an address that suggested his ties to The Bloodline may be stronger than anticipated. The champion stated that, in his view, the WWE Championship has never truly left the family.

Following his victory over Cody Rhodes and Gunther in a triple threat match at Night of Champions, Zayn opened SmackDown by expressing gratitude to the fans and reflecting on past criticisms. He asserted that his championship win was achieved by staying true to himself, rather than adopting a more selfish or ruthless persona.

The celebration was interrupted by Cody Rhodes, who offered a handshake. Zayn challenged Rhodes to acknowledge his desire for another championship match rather than presenting the gesture as purely friendly. The exchange was then paused by the arrival of “Main Event” Jey Uso, who stated he was present for “Bloodline business” and reminded Zayn of his mission to bring the WWE Championship back to the family.

Zayn responded to Jey Uso with a declaration that indicated a continued sense of belonging within The Bloodline, despite the events of recent years. Zayn stated:

As far as I’m concerned, it’s still in the family. And it is gonna stay on my shoulders.

The segment was brought to a close by Acting General Manager Adam Pearce, who announced that Zayn would defend the WWE Championship on the July 6 episode of RAW. Later that night, Cody Rhodes defeated Jey Uso in the main event to secure the opportunity, setting the stage for Zayn’s first title defense just days after his championship win.

Featured names

• The Bloodline
• Acting General
• Manager Adam
• Storyline Deserves
• Documentary The