WWE SummerSlam 2026 Results As Kevin Owens Shockingly Returns, Pins Sami Zayn

Kevin Owens made his shocking return at WWE SummerSlam. (Credit: WWE/Getty Images)

WWE via Getty ImagesWWE SummerSlam 2026 gave Sami Zayn a shot at redemption and Finn Balor a chance to reclaim his spot in the main event scene.

>At Night of Champions in June, Zayn captured his first world title in WWE when he defeated Cody Rhodes and Gunther to capture the WWE Championship. But Zayn would hold the title for just nine days after losing it to CM Punk on Monday Night Raw.

>While Zayn ultimately was given a rematch for the WWE Championship, that came with a caveat: he had to beat Finn Balor, who won a Fatal 4-Way match, at SummerSlam to get another shot at it. Just when it looked like Zayn would get a one-on-one match against Balor to become No. 1 contender, SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis changed plans.

>After his loss to Gunther on SummerSlam Saturday, Aldis appeared during the opening segment on Raw and dropped a bombshell: Both Gunther and a returning Kevin Owens, wrestling for the first time in 17 months, would be added to the bout to make it a Fatal 4-Way.

FORBES | By Blake Oestriecher WWE SummerSlam 2026 Results As Oba Femi Slays Brock LesnarWWE SummerSlam 2026 Results For Sami Zayn Vs. Finn BalorSami Zay’n’s chance to become a two-time WWE world champion was ruined by a familiar foe.

>In a shocking four-way match that came out of nowhere, Owens outlasted Gunther, Zayn and Balor at SummerSlam to become the No. 1 contender for the WWE Championship. Yes, that really happened. Owens, making an improbable return to the ring, picked up a huge victory to earn a future WWE title shot.

>Here are the key highlights and biggest moments from Zayn vs. Balor at WWE SummerSlam 2026:

Owens exploded out of the gate with cannonballs on Gunther and Balor before an intense stare down with Zayn. The two stars hugged it out until Owens threw the first punch. Owens then hit a Swanton onto all three opponents on the outside as the crowd continued to come unglued. • >Then, Owens hit a Swanton on Gunther, who caught him in a sleeper. Gunther nailed Balor and Owens with a pair of big boots, then blasted Zayn with a vicious chop. Balor mounted a brief comeback on Gunther, hitting a pair of sling blades on Zayn and Gunther. • >Balor went for the Coup de Grace but missed, then Gunther hit him with a powerbomb for a two-count and locked in a Boston crab. That was broken up by Owens, who stomped Gunther and then caught him with a big clothesline. Up top, Owens hit a top rope brain buster on Balor, and Zayn nearly stole the pin. • >Owens knocked Balor off the top rope and went for the Swanton bomb on Zayn, who got the knees up to block it. As the ref checked on Owens, Zayn went for the Helluva Kick, but Gunther intercepted and locked in a sleeper, which was interrupted by a Coup de Grace by Gunther. At the last second, Gunther broke up Balor’s pin attempt on Zayn. • >Owens hit Gunther with a superkicker and nailed Balor with a stunner before delivering one to Gunther too. Owens went for a stunner on Zayn, but Zayn reversed it into a Blue Thunder Bomb for a very close two-count. The crowd chanted “This is awesome!” • >Zayn went for the Helluva Kick, but Owens caught him with a superkick and a stunner. That was enough for the 1-2-3 and the victory. That was quick.WWE SummerSlam 2026 Results: What’s Next For Sami Zayn And Kevin Owens?After his win at WWE SummerSlam 2026, Owens immediate path is quite clear as he will challenge CM Punk, who defeated Cody Rhodes on Saturday, for the WWE Championship in the near future.

>The loser here is, of course, Zayn.

>Zayn has a long history with Rhodes and, of course, just lost the WWE Championship to Punk, making a feud with either man an intriguing possibility. When Zayn lost the WWE title to Punk less than two weeks after winning it, there was a lot of chatter that he had been shortchanged and would never get a crack at the WWE title again.

>That could prove to be true after all thanks to the improbable return of Owens, who shocked the world by coming back just a year and a half after what appeared to be career-ending neck surgery.

>As Zayn looks likely to drop down the card and out of the main event scene once again, Owens’ return will breathe new life into a SmackDown world title picture that desperately needs him. The blue brand really needs a new jolt of excitement, and a likely title feud between Punk and Owens, two of WWE’s best all-around stars, is sure to give it that.

>Just a few months ago, WWE fans weren’t sure that Owens would ever wrestle again. Now, Owens is back after an electric SummerSlam return that has turned WWE SmackDown on its head.

>This article was originally published on Forbes.com