Sami Zayn is so fucking good

[Jordan]

This is a Sami Zayn appreciation thread. I love this guy. I saw him live so many times as El Generico, he just has the most natural baby face charisma I've ever seen. Yeah he's a fit Seth Rogan with high spots but holy shit I just can't get enough. His entrance is so different and alive, it carries all of his emotion which is why he makes such a good underdog. Sami is like Tommy Dreamer 2.0, there is no reason barring injury this guy should not get eventual Daniel Bryan treatment. Zayn vs Authority appeals to me greatly, there is nobody better at overcoming the odds. He was rough after his return recently but I'd say Sami stole Wrestlemania weekend with his performance with Nakamaura (five fucking stars down your throat) and his awesome performance in the ladder match. Now we get another incarnation of Owens/Zayn to set Raw on fire hopefully for several months. Eventually they can find a reason to team up and then split and do it all over again.

If you on the Zayn Train gimmie a HELL YEAH

[Evil Vito]

El Generico and Sami Zayn are not the same person. El Generico works in an orphanage in Mexico now.

[Evil Vito]

But yes, Sami Zayn is the fucking goods. :y:

[Bad News Gertner]

He's been pretty bleh since he's been called up

[Ruien]

He's been pretty bleh since he's been called up

Agreed. I don't watch NXT but this guy has Neville Jr written all over him. Well, not as bad as Neville but he's in that ballpark.

[Wishbone]

Zayn has the potential to be the finished product to the prototype that was Daniel Bryan. He's got the in-ring credibility, the lovable underdog look, and the "everyman" sort of charisma that draws people in in this day and age. He's everything Daniel Bryan was wrapped up in a slightly more marketable package. All he needs is a few good storylines to help cement him in, and then a decent push. The dude could easily be a mainstay as the top babyface in the upper-midcard and the top underdog character in the main event scene.

[#1-norm-fan]

You know what would have been a cool story for Zayn? His inability to beat the bigger, "badder" Kevin Owens for months. Years even. Before finally getting over the hump.

But they needed to squash that story for the sake of him beating Owens in a forgettable 6 man tag match on Raw in order to tell the generic "OMGZ THE CHAMPION JUST GOT BEAT" story leading into a 7 man ladder match that was ultimately won by Zack Ryder.

[Heisenberg]

El Generico and Sami Zayn are not the same person. El Generico works in an orphanage in Mexico now.

I heard this 15 times at the ROH show, kayfabe is serious as fuck at those shows. Also, goddammit Todd, that was a 3 count you sack of shit

[drave]

Fucking Todd.

Everyone knows a "todd" in their stable. Always fucking things up for everyone. GOD DAMN IT TOOOOOOOOOOOOOOODDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Lock Jaw]

Friggin Todd

[Bad News Gertner]

I'll say this, his theme is so catchy. It's my ringtone.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

Oh Gerty you fucking mark ;)

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

Friggin Todd

He brought home the bacon but then ate it all.

Friggin' Todd.

[jbizness]

Gertner skanking to Sami’s theme pretty much made my day

[Nicky Fives]

He's been pretty bleh since he's been called up

Agreed as well, which is unfortunate.... If he's given the ball he could be the next Daniel Bryan, the former indy darling turned major star if given the same type of push....let him get past Kevin Owens, win an IC/US Title or two and pencil him in as the MITB winner in 1.5 years time....

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

He's been pretty bleh since he's been called up

He did have the match of the year so far since he's been called up. No way that Nakamura match will go unnoticed.

[#1-norm-fan]

STD. You know by Gertner saying he's been bleh since he's been called he's referring to the stuff he's actually done on the main roster. Why do you do the things you do?

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

Optimism.

[Bad News Gertner]

NXT is minor league. I couldn't care less what happens in NXT.

[The Condor]

I just wish the NXT to WWE comparisons would stop.

Sami Zayn is undersized with a beard-- he could be the next Daniel Bryan!

When Bray was called up people figured he was dumpy and hairy with relative mic skills-- he's the reincarnation of Mick Foley!

I've already heard about Baron Corbin being a new and improved Sid (blasphemous to me) and Apollo Crews chanelling Bobby Lashley and Ahmed Johnson.

To me, just let them be themselves and explore their characters and in ring work, no need to place expectations like these upon them.

[Danny Electric]

Genuinely got excited at Wrestlemania when he walked up the ladder for the title , then The Miz ruined it, bastard.

[Jordan]

I just wish the NXT to WWE comparisons would stop.

Sami Zayn is undersized with a beard-- he could be the next Daniel Bryan!

When Bray was called up people figured he was dumpy and hairy with relative mic skills-- he's the reincarnation of Mick Foley!

I've already heard about Baron Corbin being a new and improved Sid (blasphemous to me) and Apollo Crews chanelling Bobby Lashley and Ahmed Johnson.

To me, just let them be themselves and explore their characters and in ring work, no need to place expectations like these upon them.


It's not about the beard directly, it's about being the ultimate underdog. Balboaesque charisma. Sami fits into the same role as Daniel Bryan or even Tommy Dreamer to an extent. It's just like saying Roman is taking over Cena's role or Undertaker took over Andre's role.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I like Sami in the ring and I feel he organically presents himself as a likable human. I think his early flirtations with Renee Young in NXT were fucking gold. And when the guy gets serious and slaps other babyfaces in their baby face, you don't like him any less. Sami Zayn with something to prove is of value to the company.

That being said I just don't buy him as a top guy. I don't know if it's his size or his frame, but he just doesn't come off like enough of a fighter to really visually be that guy. I know I'm being a dick, but there's just something off about it. I think he and Owens should currently be fighting over the IC Title though. The Miz and Zack Ryder could have very easily gotten into their stuff without dragging the belt down to it.

Maybe after having those same style of great matches on the main roster as NXT, I'll get "used" to seeing him float around the WWE Title picture and be calling for him to have a dream Royal Rumble win in 2018 or 2019 or something. I'm not ruling it out, but I don't see a reason to push him ahead of everybody else right now. He's a mid-card signpost for me, and that's fine.

I really want to see Cesaro vs. Sami Zayn for the IC Title at WrestleMania next year in Orlando. Have Owens fail to win the strap from Owens, but Cesaro does what Zayn can't. Zayn gets super-pissed that Cesaro thinks he's better than Zayn and just won't admit it. He slaps Cesaro to make him admit it or something. Both guys are face heading into a fight for the IC Title and about more -- Zayn doesn't want to be respected by Cesaro, he wants to be better than him.

Run Owens vs. Nakamura as the US Title program. Owens responds to the IC Title loss by winning the US belt from whoever has that. He does his French-Canadian asshole thing and Nakamura makes his way up to the main roster to challenge Owens. Nakamura beats Zayn at Fastlane to become #1 Contender for the US Title (Zayn's program with Cesaro is a response by Zayn to this loss), and Owens vs. Nakamura opens the show to get things off with a bang.

[Wishbone]

I could easily see Zayn as an occasional main event player, but I agree with Noid that he shouldn't be "face of the company." I still stand by what I've said all along that Dean Ambrose should be getting the chance to be pushed into that spot right now. Maybe it works, maybe it doesn't, but they should at least give Ambrose the shot.

That said I think Zayn could be the guy who's always top babyface in the upper mid-card who occasionally gets thrust into the main event as the "ultimate underdog." He could easily play that role amazingly, and a lot of great stories could be told with it. Meanwhile while he's not doing that stuff he and Kevin Owens can be the big two rivals in the mid-card. And if Zayn worked out in the main event you could possibly use one of his title wins to put over Owens and elevate him a little when/if that time came.

[Emperor Smeat]

That being said I just don't buy him as a top guy. I don't know if it's his size or his frame, but he just doesn't come off like enough of a fighter to really visually be that guy. I know I'm being a dick, but there's just something off about it. I think he and Owens should currently be fighting over the IC Title though. The Miz and Zack Ryder could have very easily gotten into their stuff without dragging the belt down to it.

If the WWE develops it the right way, could see Zayn-Owens become the Rock-Austin type rivalry that both defines and becomes the blood feud of this era.

Even if Zayn himself never becomes the "face of the company" because Reigns or someone else has the spot locked, that feud can still end up as the biggest thing of the era.

[Simple Fan]

I like Zayn and think he'll do well. Don't see him being the face of the company or anything but another Ziggler type act. Like I sassI'd in that other thread I think Zayn and Ziggler in a tag team called ZZ Pop would be great. Could see him being a transitional champ once or twice.

[The Condor]

If the WWE develops it the right way, could see Zayn-Owens become the Rock-Austin type rivalry that both defines and becomes the blood feud of this era.


I don't think you meant Rock-Austin, I think you were looking for something more like Faarooq-Ahmed, or probably Rick Martel and Tito Santana.

[Jordan]

ZZ Pop

:|

[Simple Fan]

Great name for the two I think.

[Bad News Gertner]

Oh Gerty you fucking mark ;)

Lol it puts me in a good mood when I hear it.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

It is a great song. Then there's this shit:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/i0_q4Q4mS7k" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Jordan]

That sounds like two different songs playing at the same time.

[Evil Vito]

I never want Zayn and Owens to team with one another. Even if Owens becomes a face at some point down the line (I could never see Zayn as a heel) I don't want them to team up. I want them to always have that tension and hatred towards one another.

[Arrogance]

Nakamura vs. Zayne was epic. One of the best I've seen in a long time.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I never want Zayn and Owens to team with one another. Even if Owens becomes a face at some point down the line (I could never see Zayn as a heel) I don't want them to team up. I want them to always have that tension and hatred towards one another.

I agree with this. Or if they ever do, it should be treated as a big deal and something you HAVE to see.

A Zayn/Cesaro team down the line sometime would be great though. The story of Zayn earning Cesaro's respect enough to become allies would be quite touching. Zayn taking the beatings and Cesaro getting the hot tag? Money. Well, in the figurative sense. It'd be good quality stuff.

But right now Cesaro and Zayn have plenty left to do as singles guys, so it's all sort of moot. I'm looking forward to Owens vs. Zayn at Payback. Chicago is going to bite onto that match so hard.