Achi news desk-
While the Montreal Canadiens and CF Montreal lost on Saturday night, the 39-year-old pro wrestler from Laval ended his longest WWE Intercontinental Championship reign in history at WrestleMania 40.
Sami Zayn’s brainbuster from the switch left Gunter “The Ring General” dazed in the corner of the ring at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. A kick to the back of the head put Gunter on the mat, and Zayn pinned him for the three count.
“Ladies and gentlemen, do you believe in miracles,” said announcer Michael Cole as Guenther’s 666-day reign ended.
Zayn stumbled out of the ring to hug his wife, Khadija Sebay, on the sidelines with tears in his eyes.
The victory ends the Austrian’s hold on the belt that began on June 10, 2022.
“It’s huge,” said Montreal wrestler Matt Viviani, who was at the match. “Especially considering he won WrestleMania and ended IC’s longest reign in history.”
Viviani will wrestle in Philadelphia on Sunday for CZ Wrestling Canada’s four-way match and is the Canadian champion of the Montreal-based International Wrestling Syndicate (IWS).
He’s in town along with Montreal wrestlers Sexxxy Eddy, The Green Phantom, Alex Maze and others.
Zayn began wrestling in 2002 as El Generico in IWS and signed with WWE in 2014.
This is the fourth time that Zayn has held the Intercontinental Belt. He last held the belt in 2022.
“I hope I’m not being overdramatic when I say I need it,” Zayn said after the match. “When I make these long trips, and I’m on the phone with my family at home missing me and all that, there’s just a lot… It’s probably the most physical game I’ve ever been in, and I reached something I didn’t even know I had in me.”
