The Undisputed WWE Championship match between Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens on the September 18 episode of SmackDown caused significant frustration backstage after a mistake during the finish.
According to WrestleVotes Radio on Fightful Select, the original plan called for CM Punk to hit Owens with the title belt, setting up Zayn for the pinfall that would end the match. The referee stopped the count, however, forcing those involved to change the finish. One source said the situation was “absolutely blundered.”
Footage of the finish shows the sequence was even more confusing. Wade Keller of PWTorch reported that after the referee stopped the count, Zayn went so far as to lift Owens’ shoulder and questioned the official before hitting a Helluva Kick to finally win the match.
Several people backstage were reportedly upset with how the Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn match at SmackDown ended, with the finish described as “absolutely blundered.”
— EliteRockerz 𝕏 (@EliteClubS0B) September 24, 2026
The original plan was for CM Punk to hit Owens with the belt, allowing Zayn to pin him and end the match.
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The finish reportedly left several people backstage unhappy, largely because Punk’s interference was considered a vital part of the storyline. Some felt the improvised ending ultimately lessened the impact of his attack.
Punk’s involvement followed directly from earlier events. On September 11, Owens accidentally hit Punk with the Undisputed WWE Championship, allowing Zayn to win the title. Before that, on August 21, Zayn himself had used the title belt to attack Owens during another match against Punk.
Zayn ultimately retained the title, the first successful defense of his second reign. After the match, Punk hit both Zayn and Owens with the GTS.