At WWE Crown Jewel 2026, Roman Reigns defeated Sami Zayn to win the Men’s Crown Jewel Championship.

Post match, Zayn got what he wanted when Reigns showed respect to him with an emotional embrace and telling him to make everyone respect him.

Following this hard fought loss, it should be interesting to see who will be next in this second reign for “The Last Real Good Guy.”

Here are five potential next Undisputed WWE Championship challengers for Sami Zayn after Crown Jewel.

Cody Rhodes

While Sami Zayn battled Roman Reigns in the WWE Crown Jewel 2026, they were not the only stars to settle issues on the night.

Cody Rhodes finally showed his killer instinct against Randy Orton with a win in a Last Man Standing Match.

Despite naming himself the captain for Team USA against Team Mexico at WWE Survivor Series: WarGames 2026, it would not be surprising to see “The American Nightmare”back in the title picture.

Following their battles earlier this year, it would make sense to see Rhodes get a shot at Zayn’s Undisputed WWE Championship in the near future.

Johnny Gargano

Over the past few months, Johnny Gargano has become Sami Zayn’s number one ally on Friday Night SmackDown.

“Johnny Wrestling” has stuck by Zayn’s side in every issue that he has had on the blue brand.

Gargano has also made it clear that he expects Sami to grant him a shot at the Undisputed WWE Championship at some point during this reign.

After surviving Roman Reigns at WWE Crown Jewel 2026, Zayn might finally grant Gargano this title opportunity after long last.

Finn Balor

Back at WWE SummerSlam 2026, Sami Zayn was scheduled to face Finn Balor in a number one contender’s match for the Undisputed WWE Championship.

However, SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis added both GUNTHER and the returning Kevin Owens to that bout.

Since then, Zayn has cost Balor a chance to get another title opportunity more than once.

After his score is settled with GUNTHER, Balor could change his focus on Sami Zayn once more with the title on the line this time.

GUNTHER

GUNTHER has been in hot pursuit of the Undisputed WWE Championship for much of 2026.

During his rivalry with Cody Rhodes over the title, it was Sami Zayn who got in the way and cost “The Ring General” the title.

Then, GUNTHER had to watch Zayn win a triple threat with him and Cody Rhodes to win the gold at WWE Night of Champions 2026.

After the dust settles between he and Finn Balor, GUNTHER could set his sights on Zayn for a singles match with the Undisputed WWE Championship up for grabs.

Kevin Owens

Back on the August 21 episode of Friday Night SmackDown, CM Punk defeated Kevin Owens to retain the Undisputed WWE Championship after outside interference from Sami Zayn.

Then, Owens accidentally helped Zayn defeat Punk to win the title for himself on the September 11 SmackDown.

On the September 18 SmackDown, Zayn defeated KO thanks in large part to interference from Punk in a measure of revenge. However, Owens got his revenge for that by beating Punk in a No Holds Barred Match on the November 6 episode.

With Punk seemingly out of the way, KO could once again challenge Zayn for the Undisputed WWE Championship with no one else getting involved.