Kevin Owens has shared an emotional message celebrating Sami Zayn after his longtime friend captured the WWE Gold for the maiden time at Night of Champions.
As seen during the premium live special event, Zayn defeated Cody Rhodes and Gunther in the Triple Threat featured contest to win WWE’s top prize.
Taking to Twitter/X after the match, Owens admitted the moment was one of the biggest moments he wishes he could have witnessed in person while recovering from setback.
“I’ve missed a wealth of things I wish I hadn’t in the last 15 months thanks to this injury but just today is, by far, the one I wish I had been there for the most.”
Owens lauded Zayn’s talent and reflected on their decades-long friendship and competitive tension.
“He has brought out the best in me as both an ally and a foe. That’s because he is THE best.
When you’re consistently that good for that long, you become undeniable.
Sami becoming WWE Reigning champion was inevitable. He has deserved that moment for a incredibly long time and I am so happy to see him finally get it.”
Owens then added some humor to his heartfelt tribute by sharing a collection of long-time photos documenting their friendship over the years.
“Now enjoy these pictures of me annoying him at various stages of our careers. The concluding one is him putting on my sock in a hotel room in the middle of nowhere in Texas because I thought I had broken my back the night before and could not move. He had to help me put on my boxers too.
Look how happy he is…
Now tell me he doesn’t deserve to be titleholder! @SamiZayn.”