Spoiler: Title Changes Hands at SmackDown Taping

Sami Zayn defeated Shinsuke Nakamura to become the new WWE Intercontinental Champion at the SmackDown taping on Friday night.

The episode will air next Friday, February 18. WWE taped next week’s SmackDown episode tonight after the live SmackDown since the roster will need to travel to Saudi Arabia for next Saturday’s Elimination Chamber PPV.

WWE tweeted about the title change.

BREAKING: New Champion crowned at #Smackdown tapings in New Orleans, LA!

👉 https://t.co/iH5hourHCx pic.twitter.com/mYHUXD4U3W

— WWE (@WWE) February 12, 2022

This would be Zayn’s third Intercontinental title reign. He also won it in March 2020 and September 2020.