A backstage update has emerged on WWE’s plans for Sami Zayn after the Canadian Superstar shockingly became the WWE Champion at Night of Champions in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Saturday night.

The 41-year-old pinned Cody Rhodes to win a Triple Threat match also involving Gunther in the evening’s main event to win his first ever world title in WWE.

Despite Sami being a heel on television at present, the crowd in Saudi Arabia erupted with joy at the result. Although Zayn was born in Canada, his parents emigrated from Syria, and he is a practicing Muslim who speaks Arabic.

WWE’s Original Plan For Sami Zayn in Saudi Arabia

Image Credit: WWE

This has helped him create a genuine connection with WWE fans in Saudi Arabia. Per a report from Cory Hays of False Finish, the company had originally planned to have Sami win the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 43, which is also set to take place in Riyadh.

“They wanted to do it next year at WrestleMania. Getting him involved in this story with Cody and Gunther made this even more special,” wrote Hays on Twitter.

Sami’s surprise championship win came more than 11 years after his main roster debut, but he isn’t expected to hold the gold for long, according to veteran journalist Dave Meltzer.

How WWE ‘Really Feels’ About Sami Zayn

Heading into the Premium Live Event, defending champion Rhodes was considered to be a strong favourite to retain the title. However, the promotion opted pivot and give Sami the victory. His time on top is not expected to last, though.

​​​​​​​Speaking on Wrestling Observer Radio after Night of Champions, Meltzer stated:

“The main event was a good match, real good. And, you know, the championship change was a surprise. I mean, I don’t think that he’s the guy in their plans.”

Painting a bleak picture of Zayn’s chances of enjoying an extended reign, Meltzer indicated that it may even be a struggle for Sami to still be champion after SummerSlam, which takes place in Minneapolis, Minnesota in just five weeks’ time.

“I don’t see a long reign, but I would hope it’s longer than SummerSlam. You know, I mean, long enough to where it’s not like one of those things where it’s like, well, we finally gave it to him, but we didn’t mean it, you know.”

While it may not last for long, Zayn’s peers in the locker room were quick to pay tribute to the veteran Superstar after he finally achieved his lifelong dream.

Among those to give Sami his flowers was his real-life best friend, Kevin Owens, who took to Twitter to share some heartfelt words congratulating his pal.

“When you’re consistently that good for that long, you become undeniable,” wrote ‘KO’.

Multiple-time Women’s Champion Becky Lynch joined in the celebrations as she admitted: “I’m crying tears of joy! So well deserved! Congratulations Sami Zayn.”

Zayn’s victory sees him become the 19th Grand Slam champion in WWE history, which is testament to his remarkable achievements in the ring. He has waited years to make it to the top of the mountain. It remains to be seen just how long he will stay there.

Football fans often expect fireworks at the FIFA World Cup as countries collide for the chance to become world champions. That said, nobody anticipated the war that ensued between Portugal and the Netherlands at the 2006 World Cup.

Famously nicknamed ‘The Battle of Nuremberg’, it was a Round of 16 match that made history and plenty of controversy. It stunned the footballing world as a record four red cards were handed out, along with 16 yellow cards, during a heated affair which should have also seen Luis Figo sent off for a headbutt.

Portugal prevailed with a 1-0 victory courtesy of Maniche’s 23rd winner, but it’s a game ultimately remembered for the drama that unfolded leading to the most cards brandished in a World Cup game. It had held the record for the most yellow cards until 18 players were booked in Argentina’s quarter-final victory over the Netherlands at the 2022 World Cup.

‘Figo isn’t Jesus Christ’

Jerry Lampen via Reuters

Portugal were the first to go down to 10 men after Costinha had been shown two yellow cards within the first half. That was until former Chelsea right-back Khalid Boulahrouz was handed his marching orders for a second bookable offence in the 63rd minute – his first being a foul so brutal that it forced Cristiano Ronaldo to withdraw through injury. .

Moments prior, ussian referee Valentin Ivanov had booked Figo after the Real Madrid legend headbutted Mark van Bommel as part of a touchline mele. He was fortunate to stay on the pitch for that incident, but it wasn’t long until team-mate Deco later headed down the tunnel after receiving two yellow cards and a subsequent red card.

That same fate came for Giovanni van Bronckhorst in stoppage time. The former Barcelona man had avenged Van Bommel, landing an elbow on Figo as they raced towards a loose ball.

Figo’s antics were perhaps the biggest talking point during the heated Round of 16 clash at the Frankenstadion in Nuremberg, Germany. His headbutt made headline news, and coach Luiz Felipe Scolari gave a famous quote in response to the incident.

Scolari told reporters ahead of Portugal’s quarter-final against England: “Jesus said we should turn the other cheek. Unfortunately, Figo is not Jesus Christ.”

Jose Manuel Ribeiro via Reuters

FIFA surprisingly cleared Figo to play against the Three Lions, insisting that the player had been sanctioned by the referee at the time. This allowed the Madrid hero to play the rest of the tournament.

Figo and Portugal went on to beat England on penalties before losing 1-0 to France in the semi-finals. The Portuguese finished fourth after a 3-1 defeat to Germany in the Match for Third Place.

Figo’s headbutt was one of two that created chaos at the 2006 World Cup. Zinedine Zidane took a leaf out of his Madrid teammate’s page in the final when he headbutted Italy’s Marco Materazzi in the chest, resulting in his sending off in his final international game that ended in defeat.

FIFA’s Blatter blamed Ivanov

Ivanov came in for heavy criticism for his handling of Portugal’s win over the Netherlands. He struggled to deal with the indiscipline from both teams and, as a result, set an unwanted record for the referee who handed out the most cards and red cards in a World Cup match.

Not only were fans and pundits calling out his performance, but former FIFA President Sepp Blatter even put him on blast. He told Portuguese television channel SIC:

“I consider the referee was not at the same level as the participants, the players. I think there could have been a yellow card for the referee.”

Ivanov and English referee Graham Poll, who had handed three yellow cards to one player, were removed from the tournament after the Round of 16. Blatter explained that “FIFA owes it to itself, in its own flagship competition, to send out the best referees.”

Blatter eventually promised to apologise for his comments and although there is no official record of him ever doing so, he did at least publically express his regret over them, telling reporters: “I would just like to say that I regret what has happened. I regret what I said about his actions in the match between Portugal and the Netherlands.”

The Russian official’s own father hit back at the FIFA president, pointing out that the organisation had demanded referees be tougher on competitors.

Tottenham Hotspur look set to be one of the Premier League’s biggest spenders during this summer’s transfer window.

After the Lilywhites avoided relegation on the final day of last season, Roberto De Zerbi is focused on building a squad that can compete for European qualification this time around. He has already been reunited with his former Brighton & Hove Albion defender Jan Paul van Hecke, who joined in a £52million deal.

De Zerbi is particularly keen to improve his midfield options, and the North Londoners have set their sights on Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali. They have failed to persuade the Magpies to sell the Italian with two £75million bids so far.

Tonali appears to be Spurs’ top target, but a new attacker is also on the wishlist despite James Maddison’s return from injury. Xavi Simons arrived last summer, but an ACL injury means he’s likely to be out of action until 2027.

Tottenham Ready to Battle PSG for Akliouche

Tottenham have reportedly reignited their interest in AS Monaco attacking gem Maghnes Akliouche, per Football Insider. The versatile 24-year-old is in high demand and Paris Saint-Germain are thought to be leading the race.

The report claims that Spurs have asked to be kept informed of Akliouche’s situation and he is expected to leave Monaco. He starred at Stade Louis II last season, registering seven goals and 11 assists in 43 games across all competitions.

Akliouche, dubbed “magic”, had been on the Lilywhites’ shortlist last summer, but the club opted to sign Simons instead. De Zerbi is eager to add more depth to his squad, and Maddison will eventually need to be replaced.

Tonali Should be the Priority for Spurs

via Reuters

Akliouche has enjoyed a meteoric rise at Monaco and earned a call-up to the France squad for the World Cup. Talk over his club future has taken hold during the international tournament in North America.

French outlet Foot Mercato (via TEAMtalk) claim that the player has already ‘agreed’ to join PSG. That doesn’t rule Spurs out of the race because a fee still has to be agreed and the Premier League club can offer him guaranteed first-team football.

Akliouche is reportedly valued at £52million, although a potential bidding war could push the fee to £61million. He has two years left on his contract with Monaco, where he’s spent his entire career.

Spurs have already shown they are willing to splash the cash this summer, and the French star is definitely an exciting talent. That said, they could be looking at forking out £85million for Tonali, which will take a large chunk out of their transfer budget.