Sami Zayn debuted on NXT television on May 22nd, 2013 where he defeated two former champions in Curt Hawkins, and then scoring a huge upset win over Cesaro. Those two then fought again in what was called "2013 Match of the Year" where both men had absolutely unforgettable performances. Zayn has had multiple amazing matches and rivalries with guys who are currently on the main roster. Cesaro, Neville, and Kevin Owens. He won his first NXT Championship after a long rivalry with Neville, but then focus quickly shifted to Kevin Owens who turned his back on Sami the very same night he won the title. Zayn then dropped his only championship to Kevin Owens after Owens just dismantled him at an NXT TakeOver event. Sami Zayn made his Monday Night Raw debut on May 4th, 2015 in his hometown of Montreal when he answered the call for John Cena's United States Championship Open Challenge. In that match, Zayn proved he has what it takes to run with the big dogs putting on an amazing match with the 15x world champion. Granted, this has been John Cena's greatest year in the ring, but Sami was certainly a quality opponent. Unfortunately, in that match Zayn suffered a shoulder injury that has seen him sidelined since. What should the WWE do with Zayn when he is ready to return to the ring?
Sami announced to the NXT crowd that he would be out the remainder of the 2015 year, but eyes an early 2016 return. In my opinion, WWE has a few GREAT options for Zayn.
A Return to NXT for one more NXT Championship run
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| Sami Zayn moments after emotional victory for first NXT Championship |
Sami is an obvious crowd favorite. Every arena he enters whether its in Full Sail for an NXT taping or live show, or a house show anywhere around the world the guy gets a big pop. That's a testament to his work ethic and obvious love for the business that is pro wrestling. The Sami Zayn finally winning his long desired NXT Title was the best storyline on television at the time. Coming so close against Neville so many times, but finally picking up the win to have the entire locker room come out and congratulate him was a very emotional moment for not only him but everyone involved. Sadly, he only kept that long sought out championship for a few months before dropping it to Kevin Owens who viciously attacked him after he won the championship at NXT TakeOver: R Evolution (BEST NXT live show there has ever been. If you haven't seen it yet, go watch it). As he was getting ready for his championship rematch, he was injured in his Raw debut against Cena, but still went through with the main event against Owens one week later where he was again dismantled to the point the match had to be stopped early. That's the last match we saw Zayn in. Fast forward to early 2016 when Sami is primed and ready for a comeback, he should get the chance to finish what he started. He helped build NXT to what it is today with matches that brought the house down, and he deserves to be the face of that brand one more time and represent it like it should be. No matter who the champion is, be it current champ Finn Balor, or someone like Baron Corbin, Tyler Breeze, or Hideo Itami, Zayn could bring the house down with anyone on the roster. I think I speak for a lot of people when I say that we would be happy to see Sami get one more shot before his inevitable move to the main roster.
Continue rivalry with Kevin Owens, but this time for the Intercontinental Championship
Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn have been battling each other long before NXT was ever created. The independent scene has been more than kind to these two. Sami Zayn, as masked luchador El Generico, and Kevin Owens, known then as Kevin Steen, were tag team champions and bitter rivals in Ring Of Honor. There, these two made a name for themselves with incredible ladder matches, and mask vs. title matches where the story they tell in the ring is just phenomenal. Needless to say these two have incredible charisma together, and deserve a better ending then what they got in NXT. Its hard to think about what would've been in NXT with Owens and Zayn had he not gotten injured, but the main roster that is in desperate need of something new could get a huge boost from these two. Owens is already over big time by following the same "prize fighter" mentality that you see Brock Lesnar use. Clearly a heel, Owens needs that interesting baby face that could win the crowds hearts over with his passion and desire to put on a good show, and on Monday Night Raw against John Cena, Sami Zayn proved he could be just that. Sami could come back on a tear on Monday Night Raw saying he just has to get payback on Kevin Owens for ending his title run early and BOOM we are right back in what has been one of pro wrestling's best feuds.
Heel turn on John Cena for injuring him
I know.. I know this one may be a bit of stretch, but when you think about it; it makes sense. Eventually someone is going to have to beat Cena for the U.S Title, and it won't be someone like Rollins. Why not make it Sami Zayn? Isn't that what the U.S. Title is for? Making new superstars have something to fight over, and gain great championship experience. We all know, sooner rather than later, Cena will be back in the main title picture and will eventually beat Flair's record for most ever. Having Zayn come out to a U.S. Title Open Challenge in a sling making people believe he is still injured only to attack John and win would be a big statement, and certainly put Zayn on the map in a way that's logical. Putting over young stars, even though Zayn is 31, is not something Cena has been known to do, but he did it for Owens once and you can tell, in that Monday Night Raw match, Zayn gained Cena's respect. Now again, this isn't until early 2016, but if Cena is still the U.S. Title holder, Zayn should be a great replacement. Seeing Owens as the Intercontinental Champion, and Zayn as the United States Champion could also bring us a great Champion vs. Champion feud.
What do you think the best option for Zayn is? Is it one of these three, or do you have different ideas? Let us know in the comments!
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