Sami Zayn was recently commended by WWE Executive Triple H following the Elimination Chamber event and his remarks were not in vain. He referred to the Canadian star as merely a very special performer whose relationship with the audience reminds him of a WWE legend Mick Foley. Triple H said that Zayn can have fans laughing one minute and crying about him the next, an emotional performance that harkens back to the days of Foley.
Sami lost the title that night, but his character as a loyal underdog who strived to achieve the top was unforgettable. Triple H pointed out how raw vulnerability and comedic timing that Zayn possesses is the exact same connection to the audience that Foley was able to get in the Attitude Era. This emotional analogy highlights the increasing importance of Zayn to the plot of the WWE.
Sami’s Moment in the Spotlight
The emotional near-victory over Roman Reigns began to generate even more special attention by WWE creatives in the performance of Zayn. Whereas the legacy of Foley lies in the hardcore matches and many personas, he uses that same authentic dedication but in his own way. He does not bend into different personas, but when he is in the ring we sense that he is doing what he believes in-just like Foley used to do in his time.
At the event in Montreal, the roar of the crowd was the confirmation that Triple H was right. While he got emotional and wore his heart on his sleeve, his wits and charisma kept them glued to their screens. In a sense, he is the same as Foley in his capability to have a real, human contact- something that brings laughter and empathy to millions of viewers.
In the future, this approval of Triple H may presage greater things to come for him. As long as he can keep riding this emotional tightrope between heartbreak, humor, and raw emotion, he could very well be a star in storyline and main-event matches in WWE.