WWE SmackDown Live Winners and Losers: Sami Zayn Gets A Huge Victory

Who were the big winners and losers on this week’s episode of WWE SmackDown Live?

After WWE SmackDown Live on Tuesday, there are a handful of superstars who are seeing their stock rise. Likewise, a couple of superstars look like they’ve hit a rough spot. A pro wrestler’s career is always full of peaks and valleys, but in WWE they get magnified because of the number of eyes on them at all times.

With that said, let’s take a look at some superstars on the move after SmackDown Live this week.

Winner: Sami Zayn

For the second week in a row, Sami Zayn comes out of SmackDown looking better than almost everyone else. Last week, it was for his promo; this week, it’s all from in-ring action.

In the main event, Zayn teamed with Kevin Owens to take on Shinsuke Nakamura and Randy Orton. Thanks to a well-timed distraction by Owens, Sami was able to catch Orton with a low blow. He followed that up with a Helluva Kick for a big victory. Not too shabby for a guy who couldn’t find a spot on the Hell in a Cell card.

The victory signifies a shift closer to the main event for Zayn. That shift sort of got started when he first helped Owens out, but this match/victory really proves it. After all, it’s not just anyone who can mostly cleanly defeat a 13-time world champion.

With any luck, Sami is in the middle of a lengthy stay at the top of the cards. With Shane McMahon returning next week, we’ll see how well Zayn has entrenched himself in the main event.