Zayn emerged victorious from an enthralling triple threat match in Saudi Arabia, overcoming both Gunther and Cody Rhodes. His win was met with an enthusiastic response from the Riyadh crowd, particularly after he made his entrance in traditional Saudi attire, paying homage to his Muslim heritage.

Reactions from Kevin Owens and Becky Lynch

While opinions among the broader WWE fanbase may be divided on the decision to crown Zayn, those closest to him within the industry have openly expressed their delight. Kevin Owens and Becky Lynch were among the first to react to Zayn's championship win.

Kevin Owens, a long-time friend and rival of Zayn, took to X to share his feelings. Currently sidelined due to injury, Owens noted his disappointment at missing the live moment but expressed immense pride in Zayn's achievement:

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!

Looking Ahead for the New Champion

The duration of Zayn's reign as WWE Champion remains to be seen. With SummerSlam on the horizon and Oba Femi recently winning King of the Ring, there could be a potential opportunity for Femi to challenge and potentially defeat Zayn for the title. Regardless of what the future holds, fans are expected to warmly Featured names

• Kevin Owens
• Saudi Arabia
• Champions Sami