NXT star Sami Zayn debuted on WWE Monday Night RAW this evening when he answered John Cena‘s US title open challenge. Zayn was introduced to the crowd by WWE legend Bret “Hit Man” Hart and he got a huge ovation!
Here is a full recap of the match:
Out comes WWE United States Champion John Cena as fans sing “John Cena sucks” with his theme.
Cena hits the ring and the heat continues. Cena says, “I quit” and fans cheer. The “ole” chants start up. Cena talks about how he doesn’t give up and says he will fight Rusev for the last time at Payback, whether he’s champion or not. The “ole” chants start again as fans really want hometown star Sami Zayn. Cena goes on about Payback but fans start chanting for Sami. Cena turns the promo back around and declares the champ will still be here after Payback. Cena says the champ is here tonight and judging by the noise, Montreal is the place to be. Cena says he’s the man to beat and they boo. Cena kicks off his US Open Challenge and starts running the ropes. The music hits and out comes Bret Hart to a huge pop.
Bret says he’s here for one reason… to introduce a great wrestler that… the music interrupts and out comes Heath Slater. Slater cuts a promo but gets booed. Slater insults the people as he walks to the ring. Slater enters the ring and says he’s so tired of getting attacked out of nowhere… Bret decks him and he goes down. Bret says he’s here to introduce a hometown star, one of NXT’s hottest… out comes Sami Zayn to a huge pop.
WWE United States title match: Sami Zayn vs. WWE United States champion John Cena
Cena gets ready as Sami comes out to a big pop. Bret looks on and shakes Sami’s hand as he enters the ring. We go to commercial.
Back from the break and they’re going at it. Cena gets sent to the floor. Sami runs the ropes but Cena moves out of the way. Cena comes back in and slams Sami for a 2 count. Cena with a headlock now. Cena with more offense and another 2 count. A doctor comes in to check on Sami’s shoulder as the match is stopped. We get replay and Sami was dropped on his shoulder by Cena before the last pin attempt. The match resumes as fans cheer Sami on.
Cena backs Sami into the corner and kicks the leg. Fans boo as Cena works Sami over. Cena keeps control and slams Sami again. Cena calls for the Five Knuckle Shuffle but Sami rolls him up for a 2 count. Cena runs into an elbow. Sami comes off the top with a crossbody for a 2 count. Cena rolls to the floor for a breather. Sami runs the ropes and leaps out onto Cena for a pop. They come back in the ring and Cena puts Sami in the STF. Sami makes it to the bottom rope and breaks the hold. The referee checks on Sami’s shoulder. Sami catches Cena with the Koji Clutch out of nowhere. More back and forth and another 2 count by Sami. We see Rusev and Lana watching backstage.
The “ole” chants start again but Cena runs over Sami with a clothesline. Cena goes for the Attitude Adjustment but Sami pops right back up and they both go down after colliding. Cena rolls to the floor as does Sami. Sami runs and dives through the bottom rope, nailing a tornado DDT on the floor, how he did with Cesaro a while back. Sami brings Cena back in the ring but Cena immediately hits the AA for a close 2 count. Cena argues with the referee. Sami comes back with a Blue Thunderbomb for a close 2 count. Fans chant “this is awesome” as they both get up and trade strikes.
Cena gets the upperhand and hits the springboard Stunner. Cena follows up with an Attitude Adjustment for the win.
Winner: John Cena
– After the match, Sami crawls to the corner selling the shoulder injury and Cena walks over to him. Cena extends his hand and helps Zayn up. Cena raises Sami’s arm in the middle of the ring as fans cheer. Cena leaves the ring clapping for Sami as his music plays. Sami gets hype with the Montreal crowd before making his exit as Cole plugs NXT Takeover: Unstoppable on the WWE Network.