Sami Zayn Wins WWE Intercontinental Championship At WrestleMania 40 Night One

All things must come to an end, and at WWE WrestleMania 40 Night One, GUNTHER’s record breaking Intercontinental Championship reign came to an end at the hands of Sami Zayn.

Zayn was emotional heading into the match, with his wife and son backstage to cheer him on before he made his entrance. Chad Gable gave Sami a pep-talk backstage, telling him he needed to go it alone, but reminding Zayn that he ‘owes Gable a favour’, with Kevin Owens there behind the curtain to fire up his long-time tag partner.

Sami started hot, pepper GUNTHER with chops, but a springboard attempt was transitioned into a big German Suplex by the champ. ‘Der Ring General’ then enjoyed a large spell in control, but Sami was not to be intimidated, matching GUNTHER chop-for-chop, and even planting him with a Tornado DDT.

The champ regained his composure to lock in the sleeper hold, but Sami hung on, even kicking out at two after eating a textbook powerbomb. Sami then fired back with a Helluva Kick, but GUNTHER kicked out at two as the commentary team wondered if that was his best shot at victory. A double powerbomb by the champ couldn’t put the challenger away, but this only made GUNTHER mad, with the IMPERIUM leader looking to make an example out of Zayn as he dished out an absolute beating with Sami’s wife looking on helplessly from the front row.

A smiling GUNTHER hit Zayn with another powerbomb and two top rope splashes, but this only fired Zayn up who hit another Helluva Kick and an El Generico BRAINBUSSTTAAAHHHH, before hitting two more Helluva Kicks for the 1-2-3 and the win.

After 666 days GUNTHER is IC champion no more, with Zayn taking hold of the championship for the fourth time, and the first time since 2022. Post-match Zayn celebrated with his wife on the front row.