Sami Zayn has been nothing more than a mid-card exception on both Monday Night Raw and Smackdown Live. But now, with a New Era of WWE, this could be the time Zayn, a former NXT cult hero, takes a giant step forward.
With the crowning of Jinder Mahal as the new WWE World Champion, could this lead to a series of matches with Zayn, who is as solid a performer in the ring as there is on the company’s current roster. The door opened for Mahal, who worked on his craft, developed a new look and reinvented himself. The Canadian superstar looked like he would be part of the main event or mid card title scene after his feud with Kevin Owens ended. But Owens was the one who got the push.
Zayn has been nothing more than an afterthought.
WWE has to find a way to continue to momentum of Mahal with Randy Orton’s return match in the not too distant future. It wouldn’t make sense if “The Viper” took the company strap back after taking the chance on Mahal as WWE’s next great super heel.
This is where Zayn comes in.
If WWE wants to prove how good Mahal is and how great Zayn can be in a program that has meaning, this should be considered. To take that a step further have Zayn win the Money in the Bank match which is reserved for the Blue Brand. It can’t get any better than this.
WWE’s New Era is about taking chances, redirecting career paths and seeking new programing that can bring back the masses. Zayn is worthy of chasing a company title. Mahal must prove he can take down the company’s best at any time. The worst thing WWE can do is make Mahal look weak after he rids himself of Orton and moves forward.
WWE’s current booking – with Mahal and Orton still a hot program, with Owens and AJ Styles winning over fans and Nakamura and Dolph Ziggler sizzling in the newcomer’s debut, the thought of pushing Zayn forward could mean more WWE gold.
Right now, a Zayn-Baron Corbin feud is money. It’s a solid program – pushing each other in the ring. While Corbin should be part of the main event scene, it appears Zayn could be the one going over. Some fans like myself aren’t sold on Corbin as a main event star. Time will tell. The “Lone Wolf” should be a player for the WWE World Title in the future, but right now the murky waters of a Mahal title run makes this an improbability.
Zayn, however, makes more sense. And in a match with Mahal, WWE could strike gold once again after it hit a home run with its new bad boy on Tuesday nights.