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The road to Sami Zayn’s bout with Solo Sikoa began earlier in August when Zayn, a former Intercontinental Champion and WrestleMania main performer, officially joined the SmackDown roster after a storied tenure on RAW. On August 8, Zayn stunned the WWE Universe by defeating Sikoa in a non-title match in his hometown of Montreal, earning a championship opportunity. The victory showcased Zayn’s reported ability to counter Sikoa’s brute force, pinning the United States Champion with a roll-up after dodging a Samoan Spike. A week later, on August 15, Zayn teamed with Jimmy Uso and Jacob Fatu to defeat Sikoa and his MFT allies in a six-man tag match, once again pinning Sikoa with a Helluva Kick.
In the third consecutive victory over the new “Tribal Chief,” Sami Zayn achieved a career-defining milestone by defeating Solo Sikoa to become the new WWE United States Champion. The victory, which ended Sikoa’s 62-day reign as champion, marked Zayn’s first-ever run with the prestigious title and sent the French crowd into a frenzy, capping off a chaotic night that served as the go-home show for Clash in Paris. From the opening bell, Sikoa unleashed a barrage of punches, headbutts, and a hip attack in the corner to wear down Zayn. The latter countered with a dive to the outside that shifted momentum.
Sami Zayn ends Solo Sikoa’s supremacy which began on June 7, 2025
The match’s complexion changed when the MFTs attempted to tilt the scales in Solo Sikoa’s favor, jumping Sami Zayn behind the referee’s back. Just as the number game seemed insurmountable, Jimmy Uso emerged, brawling with Loa and Mateo, followed by a dramatic return from Jacob Fatu, who took out Talla Tonga with a ringside leap. The ensuing chaos saw Uso and Fatu drive the MFTs into the crowd, leveling the playing field for Zayn. Sikoa delivered multiple Spinning Solo slams onto the announce table in an attempt to secure a count-out victory. Zayn reportedly narrowly beat the referee’s count each time, refusing to let the title slip away. Before the final move, Sami Zayn delivered two consecutive Helluva Kicks, pinning Sikoa clean to claim the United States Championship.
Sami Zayn’s victory ended Solo Sikoa’s reign, which began on June 7, 2025, at Night of Champions with a victory over Jacob Fatu, including defenses against Fatu in a Steel Cage match and Jimmy Uso. Despite his dominance, Sikoa’s reported reliance on the MFTs often sparked controversy, and their absence in the match’s closing moments proved costly. The loss adds another chapter to Sikoa’s tumultuous 2025, which saw him lose the “Tribal Chief” title to Roman Reigns in Tribal Combat on January 6 and feud with Fatu after WrestleMania 41.
