Sami Zayn, WWE’s resident underdog, is currently sporting a rough win-loss record. WWE might be on the right path having him lose and struggle.
When Sami Zayn was traded to SmackDown Live, fans thought great, they’ll use him properly. Months of jobbing out to bigger guys and feuding with Mike Kanellis have suggested otherwise. While no one likes to see their favorite wrestler lose, there’s a light at the end of the tunnel for Zayn. WWE saw how this played out with Daniel Bryan and they’re undoubtedly eager to recreate that magic. Zayn must get kicked down so that he can triumphantly stand back up. One day, he’ll stand back up and win the WWE Championship.
Fans today are more aware than ever before of the backstage dealings of WWE. That makes life a lot harder for the bookers. I’m certainly not suggesting that fans of Zayn are unaware of how wrestling works. In fact, it speaks volumes that we all know they’re keeping Zayn down because he’s an underdog character. Yet, we’re still are angry about it. We want Zayn to succeed so badly that we have pitch forks ready for when they job him out to Aiden English. Plus, we’ve seen this before. We know they’re eager for a second chance at Bryan. We’re not eager to give it to them. It’s quite the challenge for WWE because, in order for this to work, they have to get us to suspend our disbelief.
At the Royal Rumble this year, I somehow got it in my head that Zayn would win it. The betting odds, not to mention common sense, were stacked against me. But, I love a dark horse. As eliminations piled up and Zayn was still standing, I started to let myself believe they might actually do this. He was then tossed out of the ring with zero eliminations to his name. Months later, at the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal, I did it to myself again. Again, at Money in the Bank when his hand brushed the briefcase before the dream came crashing down. Can we chalk up my constant disappointment to unrealistic expectations? Or, is this constructed exactly the way WWE wants it?
In those moments, when Zayn is climbing up the ladder or avoiding elimination after elimination, I forget that he isn’t “the guy”. They push the Braun Strowmans of the world, not the Sami Zayns, but that doesn’t seem to matter. Maybe this time, they’ll actually do it. Maybe tonight will be his shot. It never is. That’s okay, because the more the get me to believe that just maybe tonight’s the night, the more organic it feels.
Right now, what WWE needs to focus on is Zayn’s character, not his win-loss record. Recently he’s been playing an overly-analytical and energetic nerd. It serves to shape him into a babyface that isn’t okay with losing. That was one of the defining characteristics of Bryan, he wasn’t just happy to be here. It gives meaning to Zayn’s losses, they all serve to motivate him.
It’s hard to watch someone like Zayn get buried. When he’s not impressing us in the ring, he’s being genuinely likable on social media and raising money for Syrian refugees. He’s exactly the kind of face that fans can get fully behind and demand to see shot to the moon. So it’s okay, for now, if that’s not the case. He can bide his time and build his character, losses and all, until the crowd is desperate to see him capture the title.
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There’s a huge difference between “wilting when the lights are brightest,” and Bray Wyatt levels of losing. Zayn doesn’t need to lose every match, but he does need to come up short when it comes to titles. Floating in the upper-midcard without a title secures his spot. When Zayn finally wins on the biggest stage, the payoff will be well worth this wait. Zayn is bound for something big. When he catches it, it will make for one of those iconic moments that WWE lives for.