Sami Zayn is a champion again. Zayn’s pursuit of an elusive world title has brought him to the United States champion, a potential stepping stone to bigger things. WWE SmackDown hosted his crowning moment on the same night that John Cena sparked a viral moment before Clash in Paris.
Zayn won his first U.S. title by beating Solo Sikoa in Friday’s main event. It’s his fifth main card singles reign after four previous stints as intercontinental champion. The victory firmly reimplants Zayn in The Bloodline drama as Sikoa and his MFTs feud with Jacob Fatu and Jimmy Uso.
SmackDown also featured the final encounter between Cena and Logan Paul before their Clash in Paris match. One moment that is blowing up online is an encounter between Cena and a small child whom he berated during his heel run earlier this year
CBS Sports was with you all night with recaps and highlights of all the action from LDLC Arena in Lyon, France.
Zayn wins U.S. title, Cena makes surprising amends
Paul was showered in boos as he arrived at the arena in a black Mercedes. Paul to credit for WWE’s mainstream success, but it was hard to hear him over the French crowd’s expletives. Cena’s music lifted the mood, and the crowd showered him in cheers. Cena labelled Paul as shallow, claiming the social media star does not truly understand professional wrestling. Cena promised to teach Paul maturity at Clash in Paris.
Cena exercised this by approaching a familiar fan seated front row on the walkway. On March 17, Cena denounced fans in Brussels, highlighting one “toxic” child among them. On Friday, Cena apologized to that same child, who was initially too busy capturing the moment on his phone – despite broadcast cameras present – to acknowledge the future WWE Hall of Famer.
“I’m sorry,” Cena told the boy. “I was having a bad day.”
The child accepted Cena’s apology, and they exchanged “love yous.” Paul tried to dismiss Cena with lowbrow humor. Cena warned his soon-to-be opponent to get his head straight before it was too late.
United States Championship – Sami Zayn def. Solo Sikoa (c) via pinfall to win the title. Sikoa’s strength advantage was evident early against underdog Zayn. The challenger turned the tide with speed and technique, but his offense didn’t last long. JC Mateo and Tonga Loa, Sikoa’s MFTs, clipped Zayn’s wings ringside. Sikoa’s numbers advantage spurred Fatu and Uso to level the playing field. Zayn responded to a Samoan drop with an exploder suplex and two Helluva Kicks to seal victory.
I’m not sure if the interaction between Cena and the fan was happenstance or pre-planned, but it was a cool, viral moment. Zayn winning the U.S. title is a confusing decision. He’ll make a great, workhorse champion, but it risks sidetracking him from his world title aspirations. The title change also diminishes Sikoa, while rendering Fatu’s brief title reign forgettable. Solid work from the talent involved, but it continues WWE’s trend of seemingly short-term decision-making. Grade: B
What else happened on WWE SmackDown?
- Alexa Bliss def. Chelsea Green via pinfall with a roll up. Post-match, Green and Fyre laid out Bliss and Charlotte Flair. Tonight’s planned WWE women’s tag team match was cancelled after Green and Alba Fyre attacked Flair backstage, injuring her leg.
- Malakai Black and Damian Priest provoked each other in dueling vignettes.
- Michin def. Kiana James via pinfall with a roll up, earning a shot at women’s United States champion Giulia. Post-match, Giulia attacked Michin.
- Drew McIntyre fled from a brawl with Randy Orton.
- Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford) def. Melo Don’t Miz (Carmelo Hayes & The Miz) via pinfall with a Sky High-neckbreaker combo on Hayes. The Street Profits earned a WWE tag team title shot against The Wyatt Sicks.
- Jade Cargill informed Tiffany Stratton that SmackDown general manager Nick Aldis anointed Cargill the No. 1 contender for Stratton’s WWE women’s championship.