Sami Zayn captured the United States Championship for the first time in his career last night on the August 29 episode of SmackDown, defeating Solo Sikoa in Lyon, France. But amidst the celebration, some fans quickly connected the major victory to a prediction made by his former rival, Karrion Kross, suggesting his win ironically proves Kross correct, according to ITR Wrestling.
The fan theory, which gained traction on social media following the match, recalls Kross’s repeated taunts to Zayn earlier this year: “You will never be a world champion.” While Zayn has now won a significant singles title, fans noted he was in the world title picture on Raw just a month ago before being shifted to the US title feud on SmackDown, ultimately validating Kross’s specific wording.
The psychological feud between the two saw Kross consistently mock Zayn for his inability to win a world title, claiming Zayn’s “good guy” persona was holding him back. The storyline concluded with Zayn defeating Kross at SummerSlam.
However, Kross is no longer with WWE to see his prediction seemingly play out. He and his wife, Scarlett, became free agents after their contracts expired on August 10, 2025. According to Kross, WWE presented him with a new offer just days before the expiration date and gave him only 24 hours to decide. When he requested to see the analytics used to determine the offer’s value, the company reportedly declined and rescinded the deal.
The abrupt exit led many to speculate that his departure was a work. Kross has actively refuted these claims, stating he didn’t want to see fans “confused or upset.” To offer definitive proof of his free agency, he made a surprise appearance at a Game Changer Wrestling event on August 23. In a backstage promo, he smashed a violin and declared, “It’s clearly not a f**king work.”
Now performing as Killer Kross, he and Scarlett have already begun booking their post-WWE schedule, with several appearances confirmed for the coming months:
- WrestlePro: vs. Richard Holliday in a No Disqualification match (September 21, 2025)
- House of Glory (HOG): Promotional debut (October 10, 2025)
- The Big Event NY: Autograph signing (November 15, 2025)
Despite his frustrations with the exit, Kross has indicated he remains open to a future return to WWE, which he referred to as “home.” Fellow superstar Drew McIntyre also commented on the situation, expressing confidence in the pair’s future. “Kross, yeah, I mean I know Kross well. He is very talented, so is Scarlett. No matter what they do, they are going to land on their feet,” McIntyre stated.