Sami Zayn's recent WWE Championship victory at Night of Champions has shifted the perception of his character, positioning him as a definitive "last real good guy" in professional wrestling. The events of the championship match have altered how his past actions, particularly those involving Cody Rhodes, should be viewed.
While a degree of jealousy toward Cody Rhodes may have been present, Zayn's underlying motivations now appear to stem from a perceived sense of unfairness regarding the shortcuts Rhodes may have taken and the assistance he received. Despite internal conflict and outward complaints, Zayn's actions have consistently leaned towards doing what he believed was right, even when the outcomes were not perfect. He notably intervened to prevent Gunther from interfering in Rhodes' championship match on SmackDown.
During his time as a special guest referee, Zayn's interference and rapid count were interpreted as excessive, leading to a triple threat match for the championship. However, his actions were later seen as justified, especially after Gunther physically interfered during the match. Zayn ultimately secured the Undisputed WWE Championship in Saudi Arabia by countering Rhodes' Cross Rhodes maneuver, a victory characterized as clean and free from any "heel" tactics, solidifying it as a definitive "babyface" moment.