Over the last five months or so, Sami Zayn has been the talk of the WWE Universe. He's not the biggest star in the ongoing Bloodline saga—that title belongs to Roman Reigns—but the faction's run has done more for The Honorary Uce than anyone else involved. There's an argument to be made for Solo Sikoa. After all, he was called up to the main roster to work with the group. Still, everyone seems to love what Zayn has managed to do since initially feeling tacked onto this storyline. WWE fans will remember the recent Trial of Sami Zayn as one of the best segments in Raw history, and Triple H has woven one of the top long-term storylines in recent memory.
Teddy Long joined in on praising Zayn for his recent work during the Raw is 30-anniversary show this week. Appearing on WrestleBinge, the WWE Hall of Famer spoke highly of the 38-year-old. "I pulled Sami to the side last night, and I told him. I said, 'brother, you got it. You got it.' I said, 'you got it.' I said, 'I ain't blowing smoke up your ass.' I said I don't do this. If I pull you off and tell you something, I'm telling you because I see it." Long then says he explained to Sami why he connects with audiences. "I said, 'you're just real,' and that makes it all the better when you're real, and I told him those words last night. Sami Zayn is gonna be the next big Superstar if they push him right." (h/t and thanks to Michael Schrute of wrestlingnews.co for the transcription)
Is It Too Soon For Roman Reigns Vs. Sami Zayn?
While Long may have hit the nail on the head about Sami Zayn being a star in waiting, something else he said during his appearance on WrestleBinge was just as interesting. Discussing the possibility of a match between Roman Reigns and Zayn, Teddy remarked that it would be too soon to do that match. It's difficult to imagine what else WWE could do to make this fight more must-see than it already is, however.
Long likely meant that Zayn hasn't been in as many high-profile matches as Reigns. He'd be correct in that regard, but fans are firmly behind Sami, even though he's standing directly in Roman's shadow. There's no question that the audience would go ballistic if Zayn somehow managed to win the Royal Rumble this weekend. That finish could lead to all kinds of exciting options as WWE builds toward WrestleMania, but the odds seem good that Sami Zayn's iron will never be hotter than it is now. He's the most over guy in the most over angle the company has produced this year. If Triple H has plans to push Zayn, that time is now.
Regardless of who wins, the Royal Rumble figures to be a fantastic show for WWE. There are currently 15 open spots on the men's side, and the women's match isn't even half full. The company is so confident in the twists it has in store that Cody Rhodes' return was announced ahead of time as a way to draw even more attention to the show. The Royal Rumble will occur on January 28, with the kickoff show starting at 7 p.m. ET. WWE hasn't Sami Zayn announced as one of the entrants yet, but he'll likely be involved somehow.
Sources: WrestleBinge/YouTube, wrestlingnews.co