Based on official historical data compiled by Wrestling Noticias, Sami Zayn has become the first wrestler ever to begin both of his first two WWE Championship reigns outside the United States.
The milestone came on the September 11 SmackDown at Arena CDMX in Mexico City, when Zayn defeated CM Punk to win the Undisputed WWE Championship for the second time.
Zayn’s first reign also started outside the United States. On June 27 at Night of Champions in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, he defeated Cody Rhodes and Gunther in a Triple Threat Match to win his first world title in WWE.
The first run at the top, as most fans already know, lasted just nine days. CM Punk defeated Zayn on the July 6 RAW in Rosemont, Illinois, ending the reign. Just over two months later, Zayn won the title back from Punk.
In the title’s history, no other wrestler with at least two reigns has started both of his first two outside the United States.
Ultimate Warrior won his only WWE Championship in Toronto, Canada, at WrestleMania VI. Bret Hart started his first reign in Saskatoon, Canada, but won the second in New York City at WrestleMania X.
AJ Styles also came close. His second reign started in Manchester, England, in 2017 after he defeated Jinder Mahal. His first, however, started in Richmond, Virginia, at Backlash in 2016.
There’s also the case of Antonio Inoki, who defeated Bob Backlund in Japan in 1979. WWE doesn’t officially recognize that title change.
Considering only the official WWE Championship lineage dating back to 1963, Zayn stands alone in this distinction.