Trick Williams stood across the ring from Undisputed WWE Champion Sami Zayn on the Oct. 2 episode of SmackDown, one of five wrestlers lining up for a title shot. Gunther, Finn Bálor, Penta, and Je’Von Evans joined the reigning United States Champion in the confrontation. Williams already owns two wins over Zayn in 2026.
The rivalry started on Williams’ first night on SmackDown on Jan. 2, when he confronted Zayn. Later that month, a win over Matt Cardona put the newcomer in a fatal four-way at Saturday Night’s Main Event on Jan. 24. Zayn won that match.
At WrestleMania 42, Williams defeated Zayn to win the United States Championship in his first WrestleMania match. Lil Yachty was at ringside and got involved at a key moment before the Trick Shot ended it. The two met again at Backlash on May 9, with the title on the line. Yachty distracted the referee early and later struck Zayn with a kendo stick behind the official’s back. Another Trick Shot gave Williams the pinfall.
Zayn won the Undisputed WWE Championship at Night of Champions on June 27 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, beating Cody Rhodes and Gunther in a triple threat. The victory gave him his first world title in WWE. Zayn also became the first Arab and Syrian wrestler to win a world championship in the company. CM Punk took the belt from him on the July 6 edition of Raw in Rosemont, Illinois.
Zayn turned heel on the Aug. 21 SmackDown, attacking Kevin Owens and Punk during their title match. Three weeks later, Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae got involved in the Sept. 11 SmackDown title match. Zayn regained the championship with a Helluva Kick after the Prizefighter accidentally struck the reigning champion with the belt. The four-time former Intercontinental Champion has held the Undisputed WWE Championship since.
Williams won his first NXT Championship by beating Ilja Dragunov at Spring Breakin’ in 2024, and a second reign followed later that year. On May 25, 2025, at NXT Battleground, he defeated Joe Hendry to become the first WWE-contracted wrestler to win the TNA World Championship. The TNA reign lasted 140 days, ending with a loss to Mike Santana at Bound for Glory on Oct. 12, 2025.
After WrestleMania, the new United States Champion turned face and formed the Trick-Yachty Gang with the rapper. At Night of Champions, Williams turned back Ricky Saints in a title defense. Baron Corbin later held the championship.
Williams took the title back at Sunday Night’s Main Event on Sept. 6. The shot came through Yachty, who survived five minutes in the ring with Corbin to meet the match stipulation. A Trick Shot finished the champion in a little over 11 minutes, giving Williams his second United States Championship reign.
Williams is the right next challenger for Zayn. The record is simple: two premium live event title matches against Zayn in 2026, two wins for the United States Champion. Gunther already had his shot at Night of Champions and came up short. Bálor, Penta, and Evans can wait their turn behind the man with two wins. A champion who keeps losing to the same man has unfinished business, and the business has a name.
The timing works for both men. Williams has the gold, the Trick-Yachty Gang behind him, and momentum from Sept. 6. Zayn turned heel and took the top prize back by any means necessary, with Gargano and LeRae in the mix. A heel champion against the hottest babyface on SmackDown is the oldest formula in wrestling for a reason.
Champion versus champion is the matchup. Williams beat Zayn once as a challenger and once as a champion, so the next step is the biggest prize in the company. Two wins are already in the books, and a third with the Undisputed WWE Championship on the line settles the rivalry. Zayn needs the win more than anyone, and Williams has earned the shot. Book it.
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