The Final Feud with Sami Zayn
Karrion Kross’s long-standing feud with Sami Zayn culminated at WWE SummerSlam, which took place on August 2, 2025. The match, which was a “blowoff” for their heated rivalry, saw Zayn emerge victorious after he resisted Kross and his wife Scarlett’s mind games. During the match, Scarlett attempted to tempt Zayn to “embrace the dark side” by offering him a steel pipe. Zayn, however, refused to give in to the temptation, instead throwing the pipe out of the ring and using his signature move, the Helluva Kick, to secure a win over Kross. This match was considered the biggest of Kross’s main roster career, but the loss has raised questions about his long-term future with the company. The rivalry with Zayn had been brewing for months, with Kross acting as the “devil on Zayn’s shoulder,” trying to get him to turn on his “good guy” persona. The two had a series of televised matches on Raw, with each picking up a win, making SummerSlam a true “rubber match” for the two competitors.
Contract Status and Future Plans
The loss at SummerSlam has fueled speculation about Karrion Kross’s contract status with WWE. According to a recent report, Kross and his wife, Scarlett, had not been approached about a new deal, and their current contract was set to expire in August. However, wrestling insiders believe that Kross has, in fact, re-signed with WWE, as the company would not have put him in such a high-profile match at a major premium live event if he was on his way out. Despite this, the widespread expectation is that even if he does remain with the company, he will have a reduced role moving forward. The company has a history of pushing talent to get the most out of them before they leave, and Kross’s loss to Zayn, one of the company’s most beloved stars, may be an example of this. Kross’s in-ring work has also been a point of contention for some fans, but others have praised his character work and his methodical style. The future for Kross and his wife, Scarlett, with WWE remains uncertain, but their recent appearances have been a testament to their dedication to their craft.
