WWE Superstar Sami Zayn recently shared his thoughts on why the company avoids political themes in its storytelling, contrasting the current approach with past eras when real-world conflicts often influenced wrestling narratives.
During a media call on Monday to promote this weekend’s WWE Elimination Chamber event from Toronto, Zayn talks about professional wrestling’s history of reflected societal issues, citing past examples such as Sergeant Slaughter’s controversial Iraq storyline in the early ’90s and the presence of stereotypical foreign villains in the mid-20th century. However, he pointed out that today’s WWE takes a different stance, deliberately steering clear of political content. In response to a question from Jan Murphy of the Toronto Sun, Zayn said:
“Wrestling is sort of a reflective art form. It mirrors societies and the times,” Zayn explained. “Now, I think in a strange way, we’re doing a sort of weird anti-reflection reflection wherein we just simply don’t touch politics. As a company, nothing about the political climate is reflected in the product anymore.”
Zayn attributed this shift to the heightened sensitivity surrounding political issues, as well as WWE’s role as a form of escapism. He suggested that, in an era where real-world challenges like economic concerns impact daily life, wrestling provides a space where fans can disconnect from those stresses.
“WWE is meant to be like an escape from all that stuff—especially when people feel it in their day-to-day lives,” he added.
The approach marks a departure from previous decades, when wrestling often incorporated contemporary political tensions into its storytelling. While some fans appreciate the shift toward pure entertainment, others debate whether avoiding political narratives entirely limits creative possibilities.
Escapism vs. Realism in Wrestling
WWE’s current stance reflects a broader trend in entertainment, where some franchises choose to keep politics out of their content to maintain universal appeal. With a diverse fanbase spanning multiple demographics and political beliefs, WWE’s decision to remain neutral allows it to cater to as wide an audience as possible.
At the same time, some wrestling promotions continue to embrace real-world issues in their storylines, showing that there remains an appetite for blending reality with fiction. For now, the company appears committed to maintaining a space where fans can simply enjoy the spectacle without outside distractions, brother.
Sami Zayn is keeping quiet about the status of his current contract with WWE. During a media call to promote this weekend’s WWE Elimination Chamber PLE, Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful asked how much time remains on his contract.
“I’m usually kind of private about that stuff, to be honest with you,” Zayn said. “But, I don’t think I’m going anywhere. I think I’ve got kind of a good thing going here, and I see it continuing for the foreseeable future.”
Zayn, 40, has been with WWE since 2013. During his tenure, he has won the Intercontinental Championship four times and held both the RAW and SmackDown Tag Team Championships. Before joining WWE, he competed in promotions such as Pro Wrestling Guerrilla, Chikara, Ring of Honor, Dragon Gate, and more.
The former NXT Champion has become a fan favorite on Monday Night RAW, especially after his rise in popularity due to his involvement in The Bloodline storyline alongside Roman Reigns and The Usos.
Currently, Zayn is on the road to WrestleMania, having recently reignited his feud with longtime friend Kevin Owens. The two are set to collide in an unsanctioned match at Elimination Chamber this Saturday.
Posted February 24th, 2025 in WWE. Tagged: Sami Zayn.
Sami Zayn has revealed how his relationship with WWE creative has changed over the years.
Whether it’s giving a celebrity like Johnny Knoxville a good match or putting over young stars like Bron Breakker, Zayn is a name that WWE officials always seem to rely on more than most veteran talents on the roster.
During a recent interview with Flamesnation, the Underdog from The Underground was asked if the creative ever hear no from him for anything they throw at him. Sami Zayn explained that they don’t hear no but they always hear different ideas:
“I don’t think they hear no, but they hear ideas, that’s for sure. They hear a lot of them. I think I’ve been pretty fortunate over the years to have a pretty decent success rate to where it’s given me a certain amount of equity with them that my ideas will be heard. And again, I’ll also give a little bit of credit to the sort of change in creative and the creative shift over the years.
Last couple of years under Triple H, but even a little bit prior to that, just with my relationship with the creative team to where just my voice feels heard. They’re not gonna do everything I suggest but they don’t look at it like ‘Gosh, these wrestlers giving us these ideas.’ Some wrestlers might give bad ideas. I hope I’m not throwing anything bad out there.”
Sami Zayn explained that the equity he has built with the creative over the years has allowed the two parties to be more communicative. His positive reputation is one of the reasons why the former IC Champion is always factored into plans:
“So I’ll throw a lot out there and I really appreciate having a voice that’s heard and being met or if an idea doesn’t work, they kind of explain why and ‘Hey we want to do this idea instead’ or whatever and you just go with it.
But even that’s sort of like a privilege that’s earned over time. Because they don’t write everybody into stories all the time. I feel like over the last 4-5 years I’ve been consistently written into a story at all times. Then it’s incumbent on me to just make it work. So that I don’t know, that’s not lost on me.”
I had no idea how big or fun the world of WWE cards was until it hit home while attending Topps Rip Night at Layton Sports Cards in Altamonte Springs, Florida. The Fanatics Collectibles’ Topps Rip Night welcomed sports trading card and memorabilia hobbyists, where more than 70,000 fans and collectors visit more than 600 hobby shops across 16 countries around the world. WWE superstars joined other pro athletes as they met and interacted with fans, took part in Q&As and ripped open some packs to give away. It gave me the vibe of a Free Comic Book Day, but upped a notch. Not to mention free food and drink!
Another thing I love about Rip Night festivities is it gives an opportunity for owners like Layton Sports Cards’ Rich and Sara Layton to give their store business a shot in the arm. The couple just opened this particular space as it stands in December, so a nice way to create awareness.
First, it was “Tiffy Time” as WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton hopped off a plane from SmackDown the night before in New Orleans to Central Florida to meet some of her biggest admirers. Much like a WWE show, there were fans in Stratton shirts and holding signs. One South Carolina couple even came after finding out about the event while in town for a cruise. Stratton got to work opening up packs and revealing the contents.
The champ was learning about things like gold refractor and parallel meant, She got a kick out of pulling her own card and “Trishy Time” Trish Stratus. A fun moment came when Rich asked who may have a “Tiffy Time” card within their packs. Without much luck, he then asked for her favorite and Elimination Chamber tag partner Stratus card. A fan yelled out, “Hey Tiffany, what do you think about Charlotte Flair?” She said, “If you have that, you can throw it on the ground and stomp on it.” He did it! Stratton then responded with, “He’s the winner right there.” The attendee got rewarded with some additional packs.
Next up was Sami Zayn, who reminisce about collecting hockey cards. Zayne brings such a welcoming presence I can liken to that of Mick Foley. Just a regular guy in an extraordinary profession. Fans also came with Sami signs with one wearing a classic El Generico shirt. I wonder what happened to that guy? Perhaps, still retired running an orphanage in a Mexican village.
After opening all the cards, Zayn offered to personally hand out the cards to those in the crowd. He also took time to take photos and autographs with literally anyone who asked. The staff was amazed how he dedicated so much extra time to doing something he wasn’t obligated to do.Just another reason why Zayn has such a deep-rooted connection to his fanbase.
Along Stratton and Zayn, later in the evening, Orlando Magic’s Anthony Black came for a visit. Elsewhere in Central Florida, Stratton’s and Zayn’s future opponents Charlotte Flair and Kevin Owens were across town for a similar event at Game Time Cardz in Winter Park.
Sami Zayn has revealed how he felt taking the package piledriver from Kevin Owens again.
KO and Sami are no strangers to the move, as they used it a lot during their time in the indies. In WWE however, it had been banned for a long time due to its high risk. Owens has brought it back on TV recently since turning heel and both Zayn and Cody Rhodes have been on the receiving end of it in recent weeks.
The Ultimate Underdog was asked how he felt taking the move after so long during his interview with FN Barn Burner. The 40-year-old claimed that he felt things that he has never felt before when Owens delivered one to him during the February 3 episode of Raw:
“Oh my god. Yeah, different ball game. I felt things in my spine that I’d never felt taking that move. And you know, I used to take that move a lot in my early 20s. My entire 20s, actually, was just me taking that move pretty much. [It] felt very different at 40, no question.”
Sami Zayn was also asked if his relationship with Kevin Owens was damaged beyond repair or they could become friends again in the future. The former IC Champion noted that after doing this dance for many years with his real-life best friend, he’s learned to never say never:
“Look I’ve said before no and I’ve been wrong. So I don’t know, maybe I’m just being emotional when I’m saying ‘No no, this is it, this is it for real.’ and you know maybe 3-4 years pass, and you kind of start to overlook things. It’s just kind of how life is I feel. I don’t know, never say never. I’ve learned that by now. But I don’t know. Right now we’ve got an issue and it’s time to solve it.”
15 years after their first unsanctioned match at ROH Final Battle 2010, Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn will be going to war once again under the stipulation at the upcoming Elimination Chamber: Toronto event on March 1.
A heated rivalry has led to an unsanctioned match being added to WWE Elimination Chamber. On Raw, Sami Zayn challenged Kevin Owens to a match in Toronto, the city where their storied history began.
Despite Zayn’s insistence, General Manager Adam Pearce informed him that he wasn’t medically cleared to compete. However, Zayn refused to leave the ring until the match was granted. In response, Pearce agreed but stipulated that it would be an unsanctioned match—meaning no rules and anything goes.
This decision follows Owens’ attack on Zayn two weeks prior on Raw, after Zayn’s loss to CM Punk in an Elimination Chamber qualifying match. Owens later explained in a social media video that his actions were retaliation for Zayn’s perceived betrayal at the Royal Rumble, where Zayn failed to assist him in winning the WWE Championship.
WWE Elimination Chamber takes place on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at the Rogers Centre in Toronto. The pre-show starts at 5 p.m. ET, with the main card beginning at 6 p.m. ET. Here is the updated match card:
Men’s Elimination Chamber Match John Cena vs. CM Punk vs. Drew McIntyre vs. Logan Paul vs. Damian Priest vs. TBD
Women’s Elimination Chamber Match Liv Morgan vs. Alexa Bliss vs. Bianca Belair vs. Bayley vs. Naomi vs. TBD
Tag Team Match Trish Stratus & Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton vs. Nia Jax & Candice LeRae
WWE Superstar Kevin Owens has officially accepted Sami Zayn’s challenge for a match at Elimination Chamber in Toronto. In an emotionally charged video recorded from his car, Owens addressed Zayn’s recent comments about his struggles, suggesting his former friend “doesn’t know what real pain is.”
Owens referenced his own recent hardships, including being betrayed by three former allies he considered brothers. “You want to go again? That’s perfect, let’s do that,” Owens declared, noting the significance of Toronto as the birthplace of their long-standing rivalry.
The confrontation ended with Owens ominously inviting Zayn to “come find me. Then you’ll know pain.”
Sami Zayn’s Challenge
Owens’ video was in response to this message from Sami Zayn released earlier in the evening. “Kevin, we both know that wasn’t about getting ahead or sending a message, that was trying to end my career.”
“When I’m cleared, me & you are gonna go again, and it’s not gonna be fun.”
Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens are once again at odds over what Zayn did (or rather, didn’t do) at this year’s 2025 Royal Rumble Premium Live Event. In a video shared to X, Owens recounted some of the injuries he sustain during his WWE Championship ladder match with Cody Rhodes.
“The scars. The stitches. These scars—I’m always gonna have on my face. And the trauma? You can’t see that, but I can feel it. My neck, my spine, the pain I’ve been in all week… and I still am.”
Owens said that the pain he’s in will be pain he feels for the rest of his life. The Prizefighter then turned his attention to Zayn, who despite coming out during the match, did not help him defeat Rhodes.
“It’s all your fault. Because Sami, you just stood there and watched while Cody tried to end my career. Worse, I think he was actually trying to end my life in that Rumble.“
Owens pointed out that Zayn rushed to help Roman Reigns in late 2024, but refused to act at the Royal Rumble. Owens concluded by calling Zayn a “horrible friend” and “disgusting human being” beforestating that “I’ll never forgive you.”
Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens have a storied rivalry in WWE, facing each other multiple times across various events. Here is a list of notable matches between them:
NXT TakeOver: Rival (February 11, 2015): Kevin Owens defeated Sami Zayn to win the NXT Championship.
NXT TakeOver: Unstoppable (May 20, 2015): The match ended in a no-contest after Owens attacked Zayn, leading to the debut of Samoa Joe. Battleground (July 24, 2016): Sami Zayn defeated Kevin Owens in a critically acclaimed match.
WrestleMania 37 (April 10, 2021): Kevin Owens defeated Sami Zayn.
Hell in a Cell (June 20, 2021): Sami Zayn defeated Kevin Owens.
SmackDown (June 18, 2021): Kevin Owens defeated Sami Zayn by count-out.
Now, fans can expect another showdown between the two, potentially at WrestleMania 41. Whatever is to come, don’t expect the pair to ever be on the same page after Sami’s so-called betrayal of Kevin Owens.
Sami Zayn could not walk out on his own after this week’s episode of Monday Night Raw from Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio.
The post-Royal Rumble show began the build for the upcoming Elimination Chamber PPV with qualifying bouts. Zayn was involved in one of the two such bouts of the night, facing CM Punk in the main event of the show.
The Underdog from the Underground fought hard and did his best to defeat the former world champion. Unfortunately for Sami Zayn, it was CM Punk who came out victorious in the end, winning the bout with a GTS. The Straight Edge Star showed respect for his opponent after the bell by shaking hands.
As the two stars were leaving the ring, however, a banged-up Kevin Owens appeared out of nowhere. Owens attacked his best friend from behind, inadvertently taking out Punk in the process as well. KO then continued his attack on Sami, delivering a brutal Package Piledriver to end the show.
While Owens left after the show went off air, Sami and Punk remained in ring. The medics came out to check on Zayn after the brutal attack. The former IC Champion could not walk out on his own in the end, and he had to be taken out on a stretcher as a concerned Punk looked on.
CM Punk and Kevin Owens had a heated promo battle on the January 31 SmackDown heading into Royal Rumble. Now this second interaction between the two suggests that the company might be planning a feud between the two in future.
Vanessa Hudgens brought a touch of A-Lister glamor to WWE SmackDown this week, with a fun moment in Phoenix, Arizona.
Hudgens, known for her breakout role in High School Musial, attended the event at the Footprint Center in Phoenix. After the show, Cody Rhodes invited Hudgens into the ring, setting the stage for a crowd-pleasing “yeet” celebration. Hudgens performed the popular gesture alongside Rhodes, The Usos, and Sami Zayn.
— Justin David Kish • Sports Journalist (@JustinDavidKish) January 4, 2025
This isn’t Hudgens’ first interaction with WWE. In November, she acknowledged Roman Reigns during an episode of Raw and met WWE Superstar Bianca Belair backstage. Last month, Hudgens admitted that Rhea Ripley is her ‘Girl Crush’ and that she could “just watch her forever.”
Hudgens’ role at this week’s SmackDown wasn’t confined to what happened after the show. During SmackDown Hudgens also shared her love for Chelsea Green as she placed her hand to her heart in recognition of the longest-reigning WWE Women’s United States Champion.
Sami Zayn has revealed which classic championship design he would like to bring back.
The Bloodline star recently had an interview with Battleground podcast. He discussed things such as his wrestling journey with Kevin Owens, Raw’s move to Netflix, and more.
While discussing Saturday Night’s Main Event and the return of the Winged Eagle WWE Championship, Sami was asked which classic title design he would like to bring back. A former Intercontinental Champion himself, Zayn noted how a lot of people have an affinity to the white-strapped IC title:
“I know a lot of folks, I’m probably not unique in saying this, but a lot of folks have an affinity for that early 90s Intercontinental Championship, the classic one that you think of Shawn Michaels and Bret Hart and Mr Perfect. A lot of people have an affinity for that.”
Sami Zayn recalled how Cody Rhodes had brought the title design back during his 2011 reign and he was the one who actually retired it. The Honorary Uce then also revealed that he has a special place in his heart for the classic WWE tag team championship:
“I know Cody Rhodes brought that back several years ago. Actually I think I was the one who retired it. When I was managing Shinsuke Nakamura. He held that title and I was like ‘All right! Out with the old, in with the new.’ I actually introduced this new championship.
I like the new Championship but people just have a special place in their hearts for that one. So I wouldn’t mind seeing that one back but actually a championship that I really liked was the old WWE World Tag Team Championships. Fan of those ones.
I know the ones over on Smackdown currently kind of have a little element of that to them. It does have a similar shape. So that’s kind of cool but I was partial to that, the late 90s Tag Team Championships there. I thought they were really cool.”
Sami Zayn finds his wrestling journey with Kevin Owens surreal.
The Honorary Uce recently had an interview with the Battleground podcast. He discussed things such as Raw moving to Netflix, which old title he’d like to bring back and more.
When asked about Kevin Owens’ Saturday Night’s Main Event match with Cody Rhodes and his post-match attack on the Undisputed Champion, Zayn first noted how seeing the banned package piledriver on a WWE show was a crazy moment.
Sami Zayn then reflected on his long wrestling journey with Kevin Owens. He discussed how seeing the former Universal Champion performing on such a big stage was a surreal moment for him:
“If we really stop and think about it, considering we started together some 20 years ago in little church basements and community centers in Quebec, to all of a sudden see him standing [on] Saturday Night’s Main Event, holding the Winged Eagle title over the champion. I mean, that’s kind of surreal when you really stop and think about it.”
The Bloodline member mentioned how always being in the middle of the action makes it hard for someone like him to stop and appreciate his journey. Seeing Kevin Owens, who has been on this path with him since the beginning, however, helps him realize how far they’ve actually come:
“I think sometimes, I’m sure he would say the same about me, but seeing it with Kevin sometimes opens my eyes more than when I’m doing it myself. Because, you’re on your own little path, and you’re on the hamster wheel and you’re focused on what you’re doing.
But if you’re lucky enough to have someone who’s been with you on the ride from the jump, like I have Kevin, or he’s got me, it’s like this constant reminder, like, ‘Man, I remember that guy when he was here. Now he’s doing this,’ it is wild. It’s a crazy story.”
Sami Zayn suffered a loss to Drew McIntyre at Saturday Night’s Main Event, extending his losing streak against the Scottish Psychopath. Though it doesn’t appear that McIntyre is done with the Bloodline just yet and he’s claimed that there are 4 more names he has to take revenge from.
Solo Sikoa’s Bloodline wreaked havoc during the closing moments of this week’s WWE Raw, targeting two of the red brand’s most popular stars. In the main event, Drew McIntyre defeated Sami Zayn, extending his winning streak over the ‘Honorary Uce,’ a streak mentioned on commentary.
After the match, McIntyre continued his assault on Zayn, prompting Jey Uso to intervene in an attempt to save his ally. Jey was ambushed by Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga, and Jacob Fatu. The Bloodline proceeded to dismantle Zayn, with Sikoa delivering a Samoan Spike to the former Intercontinental Champion, marking a chaotic conclusion to the episode.
This appearance follows McIntyre’s confrontation with the Bloodline on last week’s SmackDown. During the encounter, the Scottish Warrior hinted at an inevitable clash with Sikoa despite their shared animosity toward Roman Reigns and his allies. Sikoa’s impact on McIntyre’s career has been significant, as his interference at WWE Clash at the Castle in September 2022 cost McIntyre the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship.
Sikoa’s Bloodline faction recently suffered a setback at Survivor Series: WarGames, where they teamed with Bronson Reed but lost to the OG Bloodline (including Zayn and Jey Uso) and CM Punk. The grueling match left several members sidelined with injuries: Bronson Reed sustained a leg injury, Tama Tonga is recovering from a bicep tear, and Jimmy Uso, who recently returned, had been dealing with a broken toe.
Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Solo Sikoa and his Bloodline, as the Tribal Chief prepares to do battle with Roman Reigns during Raw’s debut on Netflix.
Sami Zayn has revealed why the Johnny Knoxville match may be his favorite of all time.
The Honorary Uce recently spoke to The Five Star podcast to promote the upcoming Raw tapings from Charlotte NC on February 17. He discussed things such as reuniting with The Bloodline, what the Netflix move means for WWE and more.
When the topic of his favorite match came up, Sami Zayn noted how he has been lucky to have many great matches throughout his career. The one match that stands out to him, however, is the WrestleMania 38 encounter with the Jackass star because they were able to defy all expectations:
“I’ve had a lot of really great matches that I’m really proud of. The Knoxville one jumps out at me because for so many reasons, I think. For starters expectations were low. Anytime you can take people on that kind of ride when they’re not really expecting to be taken on that kind of ride. To me that’s all wrestling really is.
It’s like a ride. An emotional ride, a ride of different reactions. It’s going left and it turns right and it’s up and it’s down and the next thing you know you’re just caught up in it. It’s a great feeling to be caught up in it.”
Sami Zayn noted how they were able to put together a really entertaining match that got them a standing ovation from a lot of fans. He is particularly proud of this performance because he was the only pro wrestler involved in the bout:
“I think that’s the remarkable thing that we were able to do in that match is get people completely caught up in what we were doing. Particularly proud of it because Johnny Knoxville is not a wrestler.
He went out there and to his credit, as much as I don’t like to give him credit for anything, he went out there at age 50 and put 20 minutes in at WrestleMania and had people on their feet. There’s [not a lot of] people on Earth that can do that. He was part of that. So very proud of that match.”
Apart from this, Sami Zayn also mentioned his matches against AEW’s Pac and Claudio Castagnoli as some of his favorite outings.
For WWE fans, securing an autograph from their favorite Superstar is often a dream come true. However, some fans take things to unexpected levels, as revealed in a recent WWE interview where Superstars shared the strangest items they’ve ever been asked to sign. Here are some of the highlights:
Bayley: Paramore Merch and Foreheads
Bayley isn’t a member of Paramore, but that hasn’t stopped fans asking her to sign some merchandise of the popular band the Role Model is a fan of. Bayley added that she’s also been asked to sign foreheads, which is her favourite thing to autograph.
Damian Priest: Underwear
Keeping his response family-friendly, Damian Priest admitted to signing “undergarments.” The Archer of Infamy refrained from revealing more details but left fans to speculate whether it was men’s or women’s underwear that earned his signature.
Sami Zayn: A Prosthetic Leg/Body Parts for Tattoos
Sami Zayn was befuddled when a fan asked him to sign their prosthetic leg, while others have asked the Honorary Uce to autograph their bodies so they can be tattooed. Zayn shared that when first asked for a tattoo-related autograph, his reaction made clear that he didn’t like the idea, but he’s trying to get better at hiding how he feels.
Kevin Owens: Body Parts for Tattoos
The self-professed ‘Real’ WWE Champion, like Zayn, has signed body parts for fans who plan to immortalize his signature in ink. While he considers it an “incredible honor,” Owens shared his nervousness about the possibility of his autograph becoming a permanent flaw on someone’s body.
Rey Mysterio: $100 bills
Rey Mysterio shared a story about fans wealthy enough to have him sign $100 bills. The WWE Hall of Famer cleverly incorporates his signature 619 move into the design, transforming the bill into a “619-dollar bill.”
Kevin Owens has vowed to deal with his best friend Sami Zayn aligning with The Bloodline, the Prizefighter made clear during WWE SmackDown. On the December 6, show, Owens was interviewed by Michael Cole in Owens’ car, and spoke about Cody Rhodes teaming with Roman Reigns at Bad Blood, a ‘betrayal’ in Owens’ eyes that kicked off his heel turn.
Cole countered that it was unfair of Owens to target Cody Rhodes when Jimmy Uso, Jey Uso, and Sami Zayn all aligned with Reigns at Survivor Series: WarGames. Owens said that he didn’t care what Jimmy or Jey had done, but promised that he’d deal with Zayn at the right time. Cole said that Owens is the problem, not everyone else, prompting the former Universal Champion to boot him from the vehicle.
Owens vowing to deal with Zayn fills a glaring plot hole fans online have been bringing up ever since Crown Jewel, where Sami re-aligned with the OG Bloodline. Many fans felt it was odd that Owens would try and destroy Rhodes for teaming with Reigns one time, and was doing nothing to his best friend for committing to the OTC once more.
Owens’ arrival in WWE saw him attack Zayn in late 2014 and the pair have feuded several times, including with a match at WrestleMania 37. The pair have also teamed multiple times, including winning the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Titles at WrestleMania 39 in only the second tag-team main event in the history of the show.
Zayn fell afoul of the returning Drew McIntyre during this week’s Raw, and will now have his best friend to deal with again. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Kevin Owens, as the Prizefighter is ready for revenge on those who ‘wronged’ him, including his best friend.
Drew McIntyre made a dramatic return toMonday Night Raw during the December 2, episode of the show with an attack on two of the show’s top stars.
Ahead of the main event, where Sami Zayn faced Seth Rollins, Jey Uso was found attacked backstage. Zayn assumed that Rollins was the attacker, given his issues with The Bloodline. Sami went so far as to grab a chair and threaten Rollins with it during their match, but Seth denied that he was the attacker. Zayn was conflicted and Rollins capitalized on the distraction by rolling him up for the win.
After the match, Zayn stayed in the ring, where he was blindsided by a hooded man who was revealed to be the returning McIntyre. McIntyre hit Zayn with a Claymore and stood tall as the show came to an end.
McIntyre had been missing from WWE programming following his war at WWE Bad Blood inside Hell in a Cell, a match the Chicago-Made Superstar would win. Punk made his return to WWE TV during the Friday, November 22, edition of WWE SmackDown.
With McIntyre back, it appears no face is safe from the Scottish Psychopath, a lesson that Sami Zayn and Jey Uso learned this week. With CM Punk also being on this week’s Raw and not attacked by McIntyre, it certainly appears that their feud is over. Punk brawled with Seth Rollins on Raw, renewing their feud that’s been simmering since Punk’s return last year.
Sami Zayn is privileged to be a part of the Bloodline saga, a story that eclipses what many Hall of Famers accomplished according to the Honorary Uce. Zayn joined the Bloodline storyline two years into the narrative in 2022 and would feud with the faction the following year.
At WWE Survivor Series: WarGames, Sami reunited with Roman Reigns and The Usos, and aligned with CM Punk to defeat Solo Sikoa’s Bloodline in the show’s main event. Speaking on the post-show press conference, Zayn shared his bold statement that this angle has gone beyond what many legends of the ring were able to accomplish.
“I’m extremely proud of being a part of all this. There are Hall of Famers who have won multiple championships, who’ve headlined WrestleMania, had Hall of Fame careers, who never got to tell a story this good.”
Being a part of the Bloodline saga is a “privilege beyond what I can put into words,” Zayn added, flanked by Jimmy, Jey, and CM Punk. The angle has received praise from wrestling fans for its use of longterm storytelling and emotional payoffs, two aspects of wrestling that many fans felt that WWE had been lacking in until this popular angle.
Questions remain as to where the group goes from here, especially with Zayn, Punk, and Jey Uso being contracted to Monday Night Raw. There’s also the question of the favor that Paul Heyman now owes CM Punk which was alluded to both on the go-home SmackDown and at Survivor Series: WarGames. One thing that’s clear is that the Bloodline saga is far from over, and Sami Zayn could not be happier about that.
Sami Zayn says The Bloodline alliance is never really going to end.
The OG Bloodline reunited at tonight’s Survivor Series 2024 PPV to take on Solo Sikoa and his cousins. After having defeated the new Bloodline at the show, however, the big question on everyone’s mind is if this reunion is going to continue.
Zayn was asked this question while appearing on the post-show media scrum. The Honorary Uce said that the closest thing he can compare The Bloodline to is his never-ending feud with Kevin Owens:
“I think the bloodline thing, because of the length of time for how long it’s gone on now, and for the level of fan investment over the last few years, I feel like the closest thing I can kind of compare it to is like my story with Kevin Owens, for example, wherein it’s sort of a story that I think is always going to be there.”
Sami Zayn mentioned how someone else asked Jey Uso about potentially going back into a tag team with his brother Jimmy. Just like Jey, the former NXT Champion had no definite answer on what he’ll do next, but he noted that it’s definitely not the end of their story together:
“So, you know, the previous question was asking, you know, Jay obviously has been doing tremendous things on his own. Does he want to go back into a team? Does he want to go do this? What’s the future for all the Bloodline members? I don’t know, right?
I don’t know, but I think even if we all sort of drift in different directions, it’s become this thing where you can always just sort of float back to the mothership. You know, much like me and Kevin, have been telling a story for over 20 years, and somehow, we always find each other in our crosshairs, and we’re very diligent.
Just as I think, with the bloodline, with regards to how we tell this story, we’re very diligent about how we do it, to make sure it’s always peaking the fans interest. So I don’t have a definitive answer for you. I don’t know, but it’s definitely not the end. I don’t know if this is like we’re back and we’re running it just like we did two years ago, but it’s, it’s never really going to be over, because it’s family.”
Roman Reigns is far more than just a WrestleMania headliner, says Paul Heyman, crediting the Bloodline saga as the catalyst for Reigns’ meteoric rise. Since aligning with Heyman in 2020, Reigns has transformed from an often-criticized face into WWE’s most dominant figure, compelling even his harshest detractors to “acknowledge him.”
In an interview with SHAK Wrestling, Heyman reflected on Reigns’ evolution. The 2024 WWE Hall of Famer highlighted how Reigns’ career, while already significant before The Bloodline storyline, has reached unprecedented heights over the last four years.
“Before the Bloodline, Roman was a WrestleMania main eventer. Now, he’s the guy, the top star in the industry, and the centerpiece of WWE’s resurgence into its Platinum era.”
Reigns’ rise is not the only success of the Bloodline saga. Heyman also discussed how the storyline has elevated others, most notably Sami Zayn. He explained how Zayn’s career trajectory changed dramatically once he became part of the narrative.
“Six weeks after being the foil for Johnny Knoxville at WrestleMania, Sami Zayn was in the locker room with the Bloodline, and less than a year later, people debated whether he or Cody Rhodes should main event WrestleMania against Roman Reigns.”
This Saturday, Reigns and Zayn will team up with The Usos and CM Punk to face Solo Sikoa’s faction in WarGames at Survivor Series. For Zayn and The Usos, this marks another milestone in their main event careers—an achievement that seemed unimaginable before their integration into WWE’s most compelling and dominant faction. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest updates on the Bloodline and Survivor Series: WarGames, including breaking news and live results.
WWE has added a twist to the upcoming WarGames match at Survivor Series, where The OG Bloodline (Roman Reigns, Jimmy Uso, Jey Uso, and Sami Zayn) will face off against The Bloodline (Jacob Fatu, Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga, and Tonga Loa) inside the WarGames cage.
Originally, fans expected this match to be a traditional four-on-four, based on the number of members in each faction. However, Monday’s WWE Raw confirmed that the match will be a five-on-five bout. In a backstage segment, Sami Zayn hinted to the Usos that he might know someone willing to join their team, though the identity of this potential fifth member remains a mystery.
This WarGames showdown comes on the heels of an intense rivalry. At the Crown Jewel event in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Solo Sikoa led his team to victory over Roman Reigns, Jey Uso, and Jimmy Uso by landing two powerful Samoan Spikes on Reigns. Since then, Sami Zayn has aligned himself with Reigns and the Usos, further intensifying the feud.
Meanwhile, Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes has also been associated with Reigns in recent events. The two stars teamed up to defeat Sikoa and Fatu at Bad Blood, with The Rock making a surprise appearance after the match.
There was a backstage segment on Raw, where Zayn told Seth Rollins that he thinks he is their fifth man. Rollins said that Zayn was out of his mind due to their history and said the answer was no.
Looks like Sami and the Usos need a FIFTH team member for #SurvivorSeries WarGames!
Sami Zayn credited Jey Uso for his reunion with Bloodline after this week’s episode of SmackDown from KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York went off air.
Solo Sikoa’s Bloodline was in the main event of this week’s show. When Roman Reigns came out to confront him, Sikoa issued a WarGames challenge to the former WWE Champion, introducing Zayn as the fifth member of his team.
Sami however, decided to align with his old friends instead. The show ended with the original Bloodline standing tall after taking out Solo and his teammates.
The Honorary Uce cut a promo praising Jey Uso after the show went off air and the segment finally ended with the two friends sharing a hug.
The episode also saw the continuation of the much-talked storyline between Kevin Owens and Randy Orton. The Viper first called out Owens demanding revenge for his actions at Crown Jewel.
The officials came out with security to try and stop the two from brawling with each other. In the end however, The Prizefighter managed to break free and he ended up hitting Orton with a banned move.
These weren’t the only headlines coming out of the show as General Manager Nick Aldis also announced a new Women’s US Championship during tonight’s SmackDown.
Jimmy Uso is not convinced that Sami Zayn is ‘family’ and has warned his brother Jey Uso about Zayn’s involvement in The Bloodline business.
During the latest edition of WWE Raw, Jey Uso, Jimmy Uso, and Sami Zayn had a fiery conversation and the segment ended with Jey inviting Sami to the upcoming edition of WWE SmackDown to address the issues with Roman Reigns.
In a Raw Exclusive, Jey was asked to comment on the tense situation, and he said that he was hopeful that Zayn would accept the invitation. However, he was interrupted by his brother Jimmy who said that things will get heated if Zayn showed up on Friday night. Jimmy Uso said:
“I hope Sami Zayn just stays where he needs to stay at, Uce. He don’t need to show up or nothing. He ain’t Uce, he’s not family. Listen, you think tonight was heated? If he shows up to SmackDown, Uce, it’s gonna get real heated, and I don’t want to be like, ‘I told you so.'”
At last Saturday’s WWE Crown Jewel, The Bloodline (Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga & Jacob Fatu) defeated the team of Roman Reigns & The Usos. Solo Sikoa got the win for his team after pinning the OTC. This marked Reigns’ second pinfall in 16 months and it came after a series of Samoan Spikes from the new Tribal Chief.
Following the match, Sikoa, Tama Tonga, Jacob Fatu, and Tonga Loa started assaulting Reigns and The Usos. However, it was Sami Zayn who ran down to the ring to the aid of The OG Bloodline. Though Sami teased joining forces with Solo, he attacked Solo and helped Reigns and The Usos to fight The Bloodline. But things became confusing as Sami attempted to hit a Helluva Kick on Solo but accidentally hit Reigns, while Sikoa managed to escape.
At WWE Crown Jewel, The Bloodline defeated Roman Reigns & The Usos, with Solo Sikoa getting the pinfall over the OTC. The new Tribal Chief delivered Reigns only his second pinfall in 16 months after a series of Samoan Spikes, but what happened after the match
After the victory, Sikoa, Tama Tonga, Jacob Fatu, and Tonga Loa, continued their assault on Reigns and The Usos. This beatdown was interrupted by Sami Zayn, who teased joining Solo after the pair were seen talking during this week’s Raw. Instead, Sami attacked Solo and aided Reigns and The Usos in fighting off The Bloodline. When Sami attempted to hit a Helluva Kick on Solo though, he collided with Reigns, while Sikoa was able to escape.
With Sami aligning with Reigns and The Usos against The Bloodline, the stage is set for a WarGames showdown at Survivor Series. Fans can expect an exciting four-on-four match inside the barbaric double structure as both sides aim to confirm their dominance in this Bloodline Civil War.
Reigns, Zayn, The Usos, and Sikoa have all competed in WarGames before, with each man remaining undefeated inside the structure. WWE Survivor Series: WarGames 2024 will take place on November 30, from the Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest in the Bloodline saga, as the journey will take these eight men to Survivor Series and to WarGames.
It took Sami Zayn weeks of pleading and goading to convince World Heavyweight Champion GUNTHER to put his title on the line during this week’s WWE Raw. In a rematch from WrestleMania 40, albeit for a richer prize, the two delivered another epic match, but this time, it was the juggernaut of Vienna, Austria, who was standing tall by the end of the show.
Both men held nothing back in their efforts to leave WWE Raw as World Heavyweight Champion, with Sami Zayn even kicking out of GUNTHER’s powerbomb at one count. In the end, GUNTHER trapped Zayn in a sleeper that the Canadian couldn’t escape to get the win and retain the gold.
After the match, Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes interrupted GUNTHER’s celebration and stared down the man he’ll face at WWE Crown Jewel on November 2. The two will do battle to crown the first Men’s WWE Crown Jewel Champion, a title introduced by Triple H at WWE Bad Blood 2024.
With such a high-stakes match between two Superstars who have history, many have questioned why this match happened at WWE Raw rather than the recent Bad Blood Premium Live Event. It was reported by Dave Meltzer that WWE felt that Bad Blood didn’t need another match and that the bout was better served hyping up the latest WWE Raw.
GUNTHER was able to retain on this night, and while his title won’t be on the line at WWE Crown Jewel. He’ll be in for the fight of his night next month in Riyadh. Stay tuned to SEScoops for all the latest from WWE Crown Jewel including breaking news and live results.
