EDITOR’S NOTE: Sami Zayn lost the title 9 days after he won it. Nevertheless, the fact that he was put into that position in the first place still leaves a stain on WWE and TKO.ย Even though he lost the title, there is still a belief that WWE might want to buildย him toward another title reign with a win at its biggest event of the year, WrestleMania, which will be heldย next year in Saudi Arabia.
STAMFORD, Connecticut โ WWE’s decision to crown Sami Zayn, whose legal name is Rami Sebei, as the Undisputed WWE Champion has renewed criticism from pro-Israel advocates who allege that the company has ignored years of documented concerns regarding the wrestler’s social media activity and public conduct.
Zayn captured the championship at WWE’s Night of Champions event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, marking the culmination of a decade-long journey to his first world championship in WWE and elevating him to one of the company’s most visible global ambassadors.
The timing of the title victory has intensified criticism from individuals and organizations that have previously contacted WWE and its parent company, TKO Group Holdings, regarding Zayn’s public statements and social media activity.
Critics allege they have documented more than 30 separate incidents involving Zayn over the past two years and have repeatedly requested that WWE publicly address the matter. According to those raising the concerns, neither WWE nor TKO has issued a public response or announced disciplinary action related to the allegations.
Social Media Activity Draws Renewed Attention
The most recent allegations concern accounts that Zayn reportedly followed on X during the conflict between Israel and Iran.
Critics allege that several of the accounts published content calling for attacks on American military bases, celebrating anti-American violence, expressing support for terrorist organizations, publishing extreme antisemitic material, and praying for America’s destruction.
Additional allegations concern older social media activity attributed to Zayn.
Critics point to a post he allegedly liked titled “Israel’s Final Solution for the Palestinians,” which compared Israel to Nazi Germany and incorporated Nazi imagery alongside the Star of David. The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance Working Definition of Antisemitism identifies drawing comparisons between contemporary Israeli policy and that of Nazi Germany as one example of antisemitic discourse.
Other incidents cited by critics include allegedly liking content featuring statements attributed to Hamas, referring to Israeli fans attending a WWE event as “hoes,” referring to Israel as “war pigs” in criticism of Israeli military operations, and liking a social media post that referred to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a “Zionazi.”
Critics have also alleged that Zayn previously sent abusive direct messages to an Israeli fan and shared images containing anti-Israel political messaging.
Several of the posts cited by critics have reportedly since been deleted or are no longer publicly accessible.
Israeli Fan Controversy
Perhaps the most publicized controversy involved comments attributed to Zayn concerning Israeli fans attending a WWE event carrying Israeli flags.
The incident generated significant media coverage in Israel and reportedly prompted hundreds of letters to members of TKO Group Holdings’ board of directors requesting that the company address the matter.
Although critics state that Zayn later removed the post, neither WWE nor Zayn publicly addressed the controversy or announced any disciplinary measures.
The incident continues to be cited by critics as evidence of what they characterize as selective corporate silence regarding antisemitism directed toward Jews and supporters of Israel.
Criticism Extends Beyond Sami Zayn
Criticism has also extended to social media content attributed to Zayn’s wife, Khadija Sebei.
Critics allege that posts shared through her social media accounts have included imagery characterized as antisemitic, statements describing Zionism as terrorism, calls for the dismantling of Israel and the eradication of Zionism, and content expressing solidarity with pro-Palestinian political causes following the October 7 Hamas attacks.
No public statement addressing these allegations has been issued by WWE, TKO Group Holdings, or members of the Sebei family.
Questions for WWE and TKO Group
WWE is one of the world’s largest sports entertainment companies, reaching audiences in more than 180 countries. Since its merger with the Ultimate Fighting Championship under TKO Group Holdings, the company has become one of the most valuable sports entertainment brands globally.
TKO’s leadership includes several prominent executives and board members from the American Jewish community, including Ari Emanuel, Mark Shapiro, Steven Koonin, Jonathan Kraft, and Nancy Tellem.
Critics argue that those corporate relationships make WWE’s silence particularly difficult to understand.
They contend that if comparable conduct were directed against other protected communities, corporate action would likely be swift and public.
Supporters of Zayn, meanwhile, have frequently described him as an advocate for humanitarian causes and Palestinian rights. He has publicly raised funds for humanitarian assistance programs in Syria and has long spoken about his Syrian heritage and commitment to charitable initiatives.
The debate surrounding Zayn therefore extends beyond professional wrestling and reflects broader societal disagreements regarding the distinction between legitimate political criticism, antisemitism, and corporate responsibility.
For critics of WWE’s decision, however, the central question remains unchanged.
After years of warnings and repeated appeals, they argue that the company has now chosen to place one of its most prestigious championships on a performer whose alleged conduct they believe warrants public accountability rather than corporate promotion.
By elevating Sami Zayn to the position of Undisputed WWE Champion, they contend that WWE has made not only a creative decision, but also a corporate statement regarding which controversies it is prepared to overlook.
