Sami Zayn Defeats Karrion Kross at WWE Night of Champions in Riyadh

At WWE Night of Champions 2025 in Riyadh, Sami Zayn defeated Karrion Kross in a highly anticipated match that was a last-minute replacement for an Intercontinental Championship bout. Despite Kross dominating much of the match and showcasing improved in-ring skills, Zayn secured the win with his Helluva Kick, maintaining his status as one of WWE’s top babyfaces. Kross's recent career resurgence has been attributed to his addition of dark humor to his character, which has helped him connect better with the audience after previous struggles on the main roster. Wrestling analysts have highlighted the significance of this match for Kross, who has had limited televised singles matches in 2025, emphasizing the need for him to deliver a strong performance to further solidify his position. The ongoing rivalry between Zayn and Kross involves psychological warfare, with speculation before the event about potential interference by Kross's manager Scarlett, although the match ultimately ended cleanly. Overall, the match is seen as a pivotal moment for both wrestlers' trajectories in WWE's main event scene.