WWE SmackDown preview (July 3, 2026): Sami Zayn’s reign as WWE champion is already in big trouble

SmackDown airs tonight with a taped show (spoilers here) emanating from Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey. This is the first episode of SmackDown during the five week build to SummerSlam, which takes place on the weekend of August 1. Sami Zayn’s reign as WWE champion is already in big trouble Sami Zayn shocked the world at Night of Champions in Saudi Arabia when he pinned Cody Rhodes to become the new WWE champion. Sami is now scheduled to make his first appearance as champ on tonight’s SmackDown, where he will surely have a lot to get off his chest during an emotional victory speech that many fans and colleagues said would never happen. Even though Sami’s ride-or-die fans and Johnny Gargano remained by his side throughout a tumultuous 2026, most others turned their backs on him and have been booing him for months. Zayn now has a chance to put those haters in their place and either graciously welcome them back into the fold, or rub his impossible win in their stup