WWE: 5 Ways To Handle Sami Zayn Properly When He Returns
By Laura Mauro
3. A Return To SmackDown
SmackDown Live is practically bursting at the seams with dream match potential for Sami Zayn. Imagine Sami taking on high-flying veteran Jeff Hardy. Better yet, imagine a feud between Sami and Andrade ‘Cien’ Almas.
Both former NXT champions, the pair would be perfectly suited: both fast, dynamic wrestlers with hybrid lucha styles, there’d be ample potential for matches on the Neville level. And Sami’s got more than enough sass to deal with Zelina Vega – he’s managed to defeat The Miz with Maryse at his side more than once.
A US Title feud with Rusev, a high-octane feud with recent 205 Live callup Mustafa Ali, a reprise of his highly-acclaimed NXT match with Shinsuke Nakamura – the list goes on and on. There’s plenty of room on Smackdown’s midcard title scene for a performer of Sami’s calibre to slot right in. And with Smackdown’s alleged switch to a more ‘sports-orientated‘ brand, what better place for Sami to show off his considerable in-ring acumen?
There’s one obvious place for Sami to fit in, though. With unfinished business between him and Daniel Bryan, not to mention their history prior to WWE, the potential for a dynamite feud is sky high.
Bryan’s self-righteous heel gimmick is crying out for an earnest, fiery babyface to play foil. With Sami’s prolonged absence, a fresh start could well spell a change of heart – there’s no reason that Sami shouldn’t storm back onto the WWE scene infused with the same fierce babyface spirit that made us love him so much in NXT.
A storyline in which Sami tries to pull Bryan back from the dark side would make for truly compelling viewing. And if Sami should happen to clinch a certain title while he’s at it? Well, that’d be the icing on the cake.