WWE SmackDown Recap & Reactions (Aug. 14, 2026): Sami Can’t Win

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - AUGUST 14: Cody Rhodes stands over Randy Orton during SmackDown at TD Garden on August 14, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Rich Freeda/WWE via Getty Images) | WWE via Getty Images One of the main storylines on WWE programming for the last few months has been the life and times of Sami Zayn. After losing the United States Championship to Trick Williams at WrestleMania, the Last Real Good Guy has found himself in the orbit of the WWE Championship and the main event scene in the months that followed. While his complaining has grated on the nerves of many as he relies on his ride-or-die fans to stay in his corner, a lot of the grievances that Sami airs from week-to-week are really hard to argue. Nine days after winning the WWE Championship at Night of Champions by pinning Cody Rhodes cleanly in a triple threat match, Zayn was forced to defend the title against a returning CM Punk in Chicago, of all places. Punk, of course, won the title that night, and th