The developing psychological drama between Karrion Kross and Sami Zayn intensified during the June 9 episode of WWE RAW, culminating in a tense backstage encounter after Zayn secured a significant tournament victory.
Earlier in the evening, Zayn advanced to the semifinals of the King of the Ring tournament by winning a chaotic Fatal 4-Way match. The contest, which also featured Penta, Bron Breakker, and Intercontinental Champion Dominik Mysterio, saw Zayn capitalize on a crucial moment when LA Knight emerged from the crowd to attack Breakker. This interference allowed Zayn to hit Mysterio with a Helluva Kick for the pinfall victory, continuing his storyline momentum after being targeted by Breakker the previous week.
Following the match, Kross approached Zayn backstage to congratulate him, suggesting the win was a direct result of heeding his advice. Kross asserted that Zayn won by opportunistically exploiting the chaos caused by Knight, framing the act as that of a “manipulator” and a “true world champion.”
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Zayn forcefully rejected Kross’s interpretation, making it clear that his success was his own. “Do you know why I won my match? Because I was good enough to do it! And I will be a world champion because I am good enough to do it!” Zayn declared, adding that he was also more than capable of dealing with Kross before walking away, leaving Kross to laugh ominously.
The devil on Sami's shoulder 😏#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/yDItgOBpkW
— WWE (@WWE) June 10, 2025
Kross’s attempts to get inside Zayn’s head come at a critical juncture in his own career. With his WWE contract reportedly set to expire in the summer of 2025 and no renewal talks initiated as of early June, Kross has been vocal about his on-screen frustrations, including being left off the WrestleMania 41 and Money in the Bank cards. Despite a lack of televised wins in 2025, he has garnered significant fan support through his social media presence.
For Zayn, the confrontation touches upon conversations surrounding his main event potential. An article from May 2025 noted that a World Championship victory was viewed as a vital next step in his career arc following his historic Intercontinental Championship win at WrestleMania, with many believing 2025 could be his year to capture a top title.
READ MORE: Following Fan Demand, Karrion Kross Set For Night Of Champions Match
