Sami Zayn Beats Solo Sikoa to Win WWE US Title on SmackDown Ahead of Clash in Paris

Sami Zayn is a United States champion for the first time after beating Solo Sikoa on SmackDown.

The challenger took Sikoa down with a pair of Helluva Kicks, ending the champ's reign at 62 days.

Triple H spoiled the surprise hours before SmackDown went to air:

Friday's episode was on tape delay as it emanated from Lyon, France, ahead of Clash in Paris on Sunday.

Well-informed fans knew how the U.S. title match would end. The intrigue was with how Zayn dethroned the champion and how this would play into his ongoing feud with The MFTs.

As expected, Tonga Loa and JC Mateo made their presence felt and attacked Zayn during the match. However, Jimmy Uso and Jacob Fatu arrived to even the odds and turn this into a true singles bout between Zayn and Sikoa.

Sikoa tried to put Zayn away with a Samoan drop and a splash from the top rope. When that failed, he lined up Zayn for the Samoan Spike, but the challenger countered that into rollup and a near-fall.

Sensing an opportunity, Zayn connected with an exploder suplex and tried to hit the Helluva Kick, only to eat a superkick from Sikoa. He at least regained his senses enough to dodge another Samoan Spike attempt, with Sikoa's momentum sending him into the corner. That set him up for the two Helluva Kicks that ended the match.

It's safe to assume this wasn't the final salvo in Zayn's beef with The MFTs.