Zayn retains, The Demon returns on Halloween SmackDown

Zayn survives the restart

Sami Zayn retained the Undisputed WWE Championship against Trick Williams on Friday’s Halloween SmackDown. After ringside interference, Nick Aldis cleared the area and restarted the match under No Disqualification rules. Zayn eventually won with a low blow and a championship-belt strike.

The restart made the finish the story. Removing the outside participants gave Williams a clearer route to the champion, but the new stipulation also gave Zayn room to survive through the belt shot. His Crown Jewel meeting with Roman Reigns remains ahead.

Friday’s results

Sami Zayn defeated Trick Williams to retain the Undisputed WWE Championship.

Chelsea Green defeated Nikki Bella to retain the WWE Women’s Championship, escaping a Rack Attack pin attempt at the ropes before winning with a roll-up.

Rey Fenix defeated Ricky Saints to retain the AAA World Cruiserweight Championship with a Mexican Muscle Buster.

Jade Cargill defeated Tatum Paxley after a ringside distraction, finishing with a pump kick and Jaded.

The Demon and the road to Crown Jewel

Finn Bálor returned as The Demon during Danhausen’s segment and drove Gunther through the announce table with a Coup de Grace from a ladder. Tiffany Stratton’s attempted cash-in on Liv Morgan was stopped by The Judgment Day.

The three title defenses kept the champions in place while the closing angles sharpened the next conflicts. Zayn escaped a challenger; Green survived a title match and an unruly aftermath; Gunther left with a new problem. The Halloween staging produced consequences beyond the costumes.