10 Sami Zayn WWE matches to watch instead of Super ShowDown
By Bassam Kaado
For those that don’t want to support Super ShowDown, treat yourself to 10 amazing matches highlighting the career of ‘The Underdog of the Underground’, Sami Zayn.
As you may know, Super ShowDown will be on the WWE Network on June 7th. What you may also know is that the PPV is the latest installment in the company’s partnership with Saudi Arabia to show their programs in the controversial country.
WWE’s work in the build to these shows has drawn a ton of heat, acting as a divisive issue for wrestling fans.
One example of that heat comes from the allegedd exclusion of Sami Zayn, who is Syrian Canadian. Due to the rocky political relationship between Syria and Saudi Arabia, the country’s government reportedly told WWE he could not travel and perform at the show being labelled “as good or better than Wrestlemania.” [Cue the greatest eye roll].
As someone with proud Arab heritage (I’m Lebanese American), I’ve decided to boycott Super ShowDown. I love professional wrestling, but not to the point where I’m willing to overlook things like that. I also can’t tell you what to do.
Buuuuuuuuuuuut, if you want to join me, here are, in my humble Middle Eastern wrestling mark opinion, the top 10 matches Sami Zayn has competed in during his WWE career. I’ve graded them on a scale of 0.00-5.00 (yes, I use decimal points).
10. Sami Zayn vs Jack Swagger (NXT Episode 185 – September 4, 2013)
Most people forget that this match happened. Two weeks after the fan favorite 2 out of 3 falls match with Antonio Cesaro (he had a first name back then!), it’s easy to get lost in the shuffle. I argue that this match is BETTER than every meeting with Cesaro up to this point.
The 2 out of 3 falls match was great, except the 2nd fall didn’t sit well with me and was cheaply earned. This match, however, is so much fun to watch and is pretty brilliant throughout.
A few things to set up: at this time, Cesaro had joined the Real Americans. Him, Zeb Culter, and Jack Swagger were in a stable, and Cutler had made an appearance or two in NXT. Also, this match follows three separate matches between Zayn and Cesaro.
Because of these two elements, Jack Swagger was able to scout and study up on Zayn, who was months removed from his NXT Debut.
Believe me, it showed. Swagger’s technical, mat style wrestling complimented Zayn’s fast paced, athletic style. ‘The Real American’ had some great counters to Zayn and made excellent use of his surroundings, with some great spots on the apron and a well placed Culter distraction.
The chemistry between these two was phenomenal, and it reminded me how good of a wrestler Swagger was. We also get some great examples of Zayn’s storytelling in the ring. He is a walking masterclass on selling moves. He commits to walking with a limp after the first ankle lock. His stamina is put to the test in this match, and he struggles to get up. It’s captivating.
The finish involves Bo Dallas distracting Zayn, which works to protect both wrestlers.