WWE SmackDown recap & reactions (Sept. 4, 2026): Sami Zayn is the main character

The Main Character I feel that often when I’m recapping SmackDown, I’m using the time to wax poetic about Sami Zayn. But he keeps inspiring me to do so. And tonight wasn’t much different. While it was Gunther who opened the show, it was Sami who was the show. He interrupted the Ring General from the crowd to cut a long, passioned promo pretty much saying if he doesn’t get what’s owed to him (a WWE title rematch), no one will. It feels like we’ve officially reached the point where he’s truly off the deep end, but it’s so good. He’s a solid babyface promo but it’s rather generic – other things make him a good babyface. But he’s a strong heel promo. When his career is done, there could be an interesting discussion to be had when debating if he actually was a better babyface than he was a heel. He’s still fully entrenched in the “I’m actually the good guy here” angle, which I feel really helps round out a good villain. His motives are understandable even if his actions are undesirable. I