The latest episode of WWE SmackDown in Toronto delivered massive shocks, none bigger than the stunning heel turn of fan-favorite Sami Zayn. With championship gold on the line and tensions boiling over, the landscape of WWE has been completely rewritten ahead of Sunday Night’s Main Event.
The Shocking Betrayal in Toronto
The night’s main event saw Undisputed WWE Champion CM Punk defend his title against Kevin Owens in a highly personal, physical slugfest. However, the match took a dramatic turn when Canada's own Sami Zayn interfered.
Zayn initially appeared to help Owens, attempting to hand him the championship belt to use as a weapon. But when the honorable Owens refused the assistance, a frustrated Zayn snapped. He blasted Owens with the gold himself, leaving his longtime friend vulnerable to a match-ending Go to Sleep (GTS) from CM Punk.
The shock didn't end there. After the bell, Zayn unleashed a brutal assault on both Punk and Owens, screaming at the champion that the title had been stolen from him. The Toronto crowd, historically fiercely loyal to Zayn, instantly turned on him with deafening jeers.
The Ultimate Ultimatum for Rhodes and Orton
Earlier in the night, SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis laid down a massive ultimatum for Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton. Following a heated war of words between the two top superstars, Aldis made it clear that physical contact is strictly forbidden on the road to Sunday Night’s Main Event.
Should Rhodes or Orton lay a hand on each other before the premium live event, neither superstar will receive another Undisputed WWE Championship match.
Tag Titles Defended and a Bizarre Challenge
The rest of the SmackDown card featured high-stakes action and shocking physical altercations:
- The MFTs Retain: With WWE legend Haku observing in their corner, Tama Tonga and Talla Tonga successfully defended their WWE Tag Team Championships, defeating Damian Priest and R-Truth after neutralizing Priest at ringside.
- Giulia Blindsided: Blake Monroe completely canceled her planned SmackDown in-ring debut. Instead, she blindsided Giulia with a vicious attack, executing a devastating Neutralizer.
- Lil Yachty’s Wrestling Trial: United States Champion Baron Corbin refused Trick Williams a title rematch, with a bizarre catch. Corbin will only grant Williams the match at Sunday Night's Main Event if rapper Lil Yachty can survive five minutes in the ring with Corbin first.
