WWE Star Makes Brand Switch During Unexpected SmackDown Appearance

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio G Losada | Last updated Aug 16, 2025 6:33 AM ET

WWE SmackDown opened in Boston with Solo Sikoa and the MFT stable boasting about their dominance on Raw. Sikoa, the United States champion, dared anyone to step up, only to be interrupted by an unexpected face from the red brand.

Sami Zayn, part of the Raw division, arrived to a loud reaction and, instead of firing back, thanked Sikoa for forcing him to change direction before making the ultimate reveal right there and then.

Zayn admitted his focus on the World Championship had blinded him to other goals, and finally revealed he was officially switching brands and setting his sights on the United States title, part of the SmackDown umbrella of belts.

@SamiZayn is OFFICIALLY on SmackDown, and he's already got some help in the form of Jimmy Uso and Jacob Fatu!! pic.twitter.com/jC47QN0HlU
— WWE (@WWE) August 16, 2025

The move instantly sparked chaos, as Zayn brawled with Sikoa and the MFTs before Jimmy Uso and Jacob Fatu ran in. To close the segment, SmackDown general manager Nick Aldis stepped in to sanction a six-man tag team main event for the evening, with Zayn and Sikoa at the center of it.

Sami Zayn’s Momentum Growing Amid SmackDown Move

The main event, as expected given the initial exchange, brought more highlights and chaotic scenes to the table, with Zayn teaming alongside Jimmy Uso and Fatu against Sikoa, JC Mateo, and Tanga Loa.

Zayn seized the spotlight in his first bout back as a member of SmackDown's roster. He struck Sikoa with a Helluva Kick and pinned the champion, ending the show in celebration with Uso and Fatu.

The WWE star was drafted to SmackDown in 2021, but he had been aligned with Raw for the most part from 2022 onward.

Sami Zayn’s Realignment Brings New Opportunities for WWE

Zayn’s brand switch and immediate impact signal a shift in WWE’s landscape and come with vast potential to pursue fresh storylines.

The new SmackDown star's focus on the United States Championship gives the brand a fresh narrative while putting Sikoa’s reign under new pressure.

At a personal level, the aforementioned title is the only one Zayn has yet to win, adding another layer to a potential feud with Sikoa ending in a major event later this year or into 2026.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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