Sami Zayn has made his profession out of being an underdog, but the percentages were truly stacked against him Friday. Surrounded by Sikoa’s MFTs, Zayn took the fight to the US Champion, and in the long run, Zayn walked out of Lyon, France, with gold around his waist.
The 2 men contested Sikoa’s United States title within the foremost event of “WWE SmackDown,” and things were heated from the opening bell. Zayn dumped Sikoa to the skin early, only to fake-out a Suicide Dive as Talla Tonga watched on, irate. Sikoa attempted to wear the challenger down with some strikes, however the tenacious Zayn used the ropes to flee and perform a legitimate Suicide Dive to the skin.
The looks of Jimmy Uso and a returning Jacob Fatu modified the match’s complexion almost overnight. Uso appeared in a hoodie to take out JC Mateo and Tonga Loa, while Fatu took advantage with a ringside leap onto Tonga. The 2 factions brawled outside the ring, leaving Sikoa and Zayn to their all-out warfare.
After a failed Blue Thunder Bomb, dodged Helluva Kick, and failed top-rope Powerbomb, Zayn appeared to be at his wits end. Sikoa nearly put Zayn away with a top-rope Splash of his own, but Zayn kicked out with energy. A dodged Samoan Spike sent Sikoa into the corner, where he was the victim of two Helluva Kicks. Lyon burst to their feet as Zayn pinned Sikoa clean to win his first United States championship.
During Sikoa’s 62-day United States title reign, Sikoa successfully defended his title twice: once against Uso, and once in against Fatu in a Steel Cage match. Zayn, an extended time member of “WWE Raw,” was transferred to “SmackDown” in mid-August. While Zayn has never won the US title prior to Friday, he boasts 4 title reigns with “Raw’s” equivalent Intercontinental Championship.