SmackDown recap & reactions (Aug. 21, 2026): How Sami robbed Kevin Owens

Platypus (I Hate You) Not this time, @SamiZayn! 😤 pic.twitter.com/IYDHY5WMhB — WWE (@WWE) August 22, 2026 Kevin Owens had the Undisputed Championship in his grasp. After multiple ref bumps, (not multiple refs bumping, but one ref taking a couple hits) Sami Zayn entered the arena. He made his intentions clear through beelining for CM Punk. Sami’s hatred for Punk is always clear but what about his love-hate relationship with Punk’s challenger? For a while, it looked like a strong lean into “love.” He put Punk on a silver platter for his best friend. Even offered him the championship to knock Punk into next Friday’s SmackDown without his title. Kevin didn’t want to do it that way. He definitely thought about it but he hesitated. After all this time, after all the talk, he didn’t want an asterisk next to his win. He needed to drop Punk in the middle of the ring not only cleanly but on his own. It made all the sense in the world to everyone in Toronto. Well, almost everyone. Sami to