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CM Punk Retains WWE Title Over Kevin Owens After Sami Zayn Interferes On SmackDown - Wrestling Inc.
Sami Zayn’s interference and a referee bump helped Punk survive a late Owens comeback and keep the championship.
- On Friday, August 21, 2026, Undisputed WWE Champion CM Punk retained his title against Kevin Owens before 15,146 fans at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, with Sami Zayn's interference costing Owens the victory.
- Returning from a 15-month injury layoff, Owens challenged his long-time rival Punk in his home country of Canada, building on a contentious history spanning two decades between the two competitors.
- During the match, Zayn attempted to assist Owens by providing the title belt as a weapon, but Owens rejected the interference, shouting, "I'm not doing it like that," before Zayn knocked him out with the belt.
- Following the contest, Zayn assaulted both Punk and Owens, standing tall over the downed competitors to close the broadcast; the Toronto crowd booed his actions.
- Reports indicate the Punk-Owens encounter was planned as a one-and-done match, with Punk successfully defending the Undisputed WWE Championship and maintaining his reign.
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What Happened With Sami Zayn After WWE SmackDown?
Sami Zayn may have been back home in Canada this week, but there was no love for him following this week’s episode of SmackDown in Toronto. Zayn made his presence felt during the main event Undisputed WWE Title match, which pitted CM Punk against fellow Canadian Kevin Owens. Punk retained the gold after Zayn interfered on behalf of Owens, who made it clear that he didn’t want to win the title thanks to Sami’s cheating. Following the match, Zayn …
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Total News Sources16
Leaning Left1Leaning Right0Center6Last UpdatedBias Distribution86% Center
Bias Distribution
- 86% of the sources are Center
86% Center
14%
C 86%
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