Sami Zayn Supports Cody Rhodes Over CM Punk Ahead of SummerSlam

On the last episode of WWE SmackDown before SummerSlam, Sami Zayn publicly declared his support for Cody Rhodes in the upcoming Undisputed WWE Championship match against CM Punk. Zayn's endorsement was not rooted in friendship but rather in his strategic interests.

During the July 31 broadcast, Zayn interrupted Finn Bálor, who was discussing his past with the Universal Championship. Zayn argued that he should still be in the title picture and suggested that the match should have included him as a third competitor. He stated that he would prefer Rhodes as champion since he had previously defeated him to win the title, although his reign was brief.

Zayn also criticized CM Punk, referring to him as a hypocrite and a corporate figure, expressing his frustration over losing the championship to Punk after just nine days. He implied that WWE was sidelining him to focus on the Punk versus Rhodes storyline.