Trick Williams defeated Sami Zayn at WrestleMania 42, marking a significant moment in his rise within WWE. Williams, who debuted on the main roster in January 2026, has quickly become a fan favorite.
Key points
Trick Williams defeated Sami Zayn at WrestleMania 42
Williams debuted on the main roster in January 2026
He has quickly become a fan favorite
Sami Zayn's loss is part of a larger storyline
Trick WilliamsSami Zayn
WWE: Saturday Night's Main Event
Trick Williams has been a huge hit on the main roster thus far. (Credit: Craig Melvin/WWE)
WWE via Getty Images
Trick Williams has taken WWE storm in 2026, but at WrestleMania 42, Sami Zayn stood between âThe Annointed Oneâ and WrestleMania immortality.
Over the past few months, Williams, who was officially called up from NXT in January, has been generating roof-rattling reactions, and as WWE Hall of Famer Mark Henry has said, the fans have chosen him as the companyâs next breakout star. That, however, hasnât sat too well with Sami Zayn.
Zayn, despite beating Carmelo Hayes on an episode of SmackDown to win the United States Championship, continued to be at odds with Williams. That resulted in Williams not only getting his first WrestleMania match but doing so for the prestigious US title.
WWE WrestleMania 42 Results For Sami Zayn Vs. Trick Williams
Less than three months after his WWE debut, Trick Williams can officially call himself a champion.
Capping off a short but sweet title bout, Williams blasted Zayn with a brutal Trick Shot finish to secure his first US title and get himself an unforgettable WrestleMania moment in the process.
Letâs take a look at the key highlights and moments from Williamsâ first main roster title win:
Zayn and Williams, who was accompanied to the ring by rapper Lil Yachty, immediately began exchanging punches until Zayn took Williams down with a clothesline. The crowd is firmly behind Williams and is booing Zayn, who clotheslined Williams to the outside. Williams responded with some clotheslines of his own as well as a spinning heel kick and a neck breaker.
Q&A
What were the results of WrestleMania 42?
Trick Williams won against Sami Zayn at WrestleMania 42.
Who is Trick Williams in WWE?
Trick Williams is a rising star in WWE, officially called up from NXT in January 2026.
Why did Sami Zayn lose to Trick Williams?
Sami Zayn lost to Trick Williams as part of a storyline where Williams is positioned as the next breakout star in WWE.
What impact does Trick Williams' victory have on his career?
Trick Williams' victory at WrestleMania 42 solidifies his status as a top contender and fan favorite in WWE.
Related Articles
NBA·Recap
Magic stun top-seeded Pistons with Game 1 upset
Orlando Magic stun top-seeded Pistons 112-101 in Game 1!
ESPN News··1 min read
Sports
Jon Rahm wins in Mexico, capping wild week for LIV
Jon Rahm clinches victory at LIV Golf Mexico City amid chaos
ESPN News··1 min read
NBA·Recap
Thunder take Game 1, expect Suns 'to get better'
Thunder take Game 1 against Suns with a 119-84 victory
ESPN News··1 min read
Golf·Recap
Turbulent week for LIV Golf finally ends with one of its biggest stars holding the hardware
Jon Rahm clinches victory at LIV Golf Mexico City, easing financial concerns.
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
NFL
Jets could possibly trade Garrett Wilson during NFL Draft according to insider
Insider suggests Jets could trade Garrett Wilson during NFL Draft.
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports
WWE WrestleMania 42 Results, Winners And Grades On Night 2 (April 19, 2026)
WWE WrestleMania 42 Night 2: Roman Reigns wins, Brock Lesnar retires?
See every story in Sports â including breaking news and analysis.
Williams hit Zayn with a Bookend for a two-count, but then Zayn nailed him with a boot and the Blue Thunder Bomb for a nearfall of his own. As Lil Yachty checked on Williams, Zayn attacked Yachty from behind and tossed him into the barricade.
Zayn destroyed Williams with a brainbuster on the ring apron as the crowd continues to ruthlessly boo him. On the outside, Zayn hit Wiliams with the Helluva Kick, and the referee began counting to 10. Williams was able to get back in the ring just before the 10-count.
Zayn lined up Williams for the Helluva Kick in the corner, but Yachty grabbed him from behind and thrust him into the ropes. That allowed Williams to hit Zayn with a kick and get a very close two-count. Zayn avoided the Trick Shot and rolled up Williams, who kicked out. Then, Zayn hit the exploder suplex in the corner.
Zayn went for the Helluva Kick, but Williams nailed him with a Trick Shot out of nowhere. That was enough for the 1-2-3 and the victory.
WWE WrestleMania 42 Results: Whatâs Next For Sami Zayn And Trick Williams?
One of SmackDownâs biggest storylines in 2026 has been the gradual meltdown from Zayn.
At the center of his self-implosion has been his inability to win the world title despite a decade on the main roster. Yet, here we are in 2026, and heâs ultimately no closer to winning the world title now than he was a couple of years ago. In fact, he may be even farther away from it.
As much as Zaynâs big WrestleMania match seemed to be about him, it was, in reality, all about elevating Williams. WWE fans and legends alike have heaped praise upon Williams for his incredible promo skills and charisma, which have caused WWE to strap the proverbial rocket ship to him and immediately elevate him up the card.
Itâs hard to believe that Williams just debuted on the main roster in January and is already a champion, but thatâs what the right mix of skills and good luck will get you. Now, Williams, much like Rawâs Oba Femi, is on the fast track to main roster success, and the United States Championship is a mere stepping stone to the main event scene.
That doesnât necessarily bode well for Zayn, who is constantly right on the cusp of that world title scene only to fall short. And yet, WWE shouldnât be criticized for prioritizing Williams, widely considered to be a future world champion, over Zayn, who can be slotted in any role on the card and make it work.
Williams is someone WWE should be prioritizing right now, and unfortunately for Zayn, that means another loss for him as the crowd continues to turn on him. Zayn is undoubtedly poised for a full-blown heel turn while Williams is one step closer to the top of WWe.
This article was originally published on Forbes.com
