The bout between Sami Zayn and Karrion Kross at WWE SummerSlam has gained a new layer of risk. As announced on the July 28th episode of RAW, the loser of the confrontation will be forced to take the microphone and publicly admit to the audience: “I was wrong.”
The new rule was established during a backstage interview with Zayn conducted by Corey Graves. Karrion Kross interrupted the segment and confronted his adversary, stating that Zayn’s public humiliation would not be complete until he definitively admitted defeat.
Did KROSS tell the TRUTH? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/jVYetcPinD
— WWE (@WWE) July 29, 2025
The Rivalry’s Context
This stipulation is the latest chapter in a rivalry marked by Kross’s psychological warfare. For months, he has attempted to break Zayn’s resilience by physically attacking him and questioning his value as a top-tier competitor.
Kross’s attacks have cost Zayn significant opportunities, including a spot in a match to determine the number one contender for the World Heavyweight Championship. With the help of Scarlett and the use of a lead pipe, Kross also secured a previous victory over Zayn on RAW, intensifying the animosity.
With this new rule, the match at MetLife Stadium transforms into a battle for pride. For Zayn, a public admission of failure would be a significant blow to his image. For Kross, who bases his gimmick on psychological dominance, a defeat would force him to validate his opponent in a way that would undermine his own character.