Joseph Staszewski WWE championship chaos could bring everything fans have waited for By Joseph Staszewski Published Sep. 14, 2026, 3:36 p.m. ET Sami Zayn celebrates winning the WWE Championship during SmackDown at Arena Ciudad de Mexico on September 11, 2026 in Mexico City, Mexico. WWE via Getty Images A fear washed over me as the referee counted three with CM Punk’s shoulders pinned to the mat to begin Sami Zayn’s second reign as WWE champion.
There was a concern that we were about to see the WWE championship treated like a hot potato, especially with so many legitimate challengers pursuing it. But after a few moments of letting the shock of seeing Zayn’s hand raised on Friday wear off following a bizarre finish that saw Punk tapping Zayn out in the middle of the ring, Johnny Gargano possibly eating a GTS that will have him planking again and Kevin Owens accidentally helping Zayn win, I came to terms with what is likely coming next — and the possible endgame.
Kevin Owens makes his way to the ring during SmackDown at Scotiabank Arena on August 21, 2026. WWE via Getty Images Hot potato might be exactly what WWE needs to close the year because it’s been so long since we’ve seen it, even if it kind of began already with WWE championship changing hands four times this year. Also because Roman Reigns is likely carrying the World Heavyweight championship into WrestleMania season.
Having some uncertainty about when a new champion will be crowned is a good thing in a short burst, and that appears to be exactly what WWE is trying to create when you add in Stephanie Vaquer beating Liv Morgan to become Women’s World champion at a live event in Chile on Saturday night.
