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.

Red Velvet Reveals She Was Dealing with Neck Issues and Dislocated Shoulder Injury Earlier This Year & Wanting to Remain in AEW for Foreseeable Future
ROH TV Results – Dec. 2, 2025 – The Beast Mortos vs. Gravity, Persephone vs. Diamante
More on TNA’s New TV Deal with AMC – Rumor Killer on WWE & TNA Partnership Ending, Backstage Reaction to Announcement, & Current Hope for Changes to TNA’s Creative Direction




