Natural storytelling propels Sami Zayn to Wrestlemania main event

Sami Zayn was moments away from making history.

He was this close to doing the unthinkable.

In front of an electric and enthusiastic crowd of 20,000 people in the Bell Centre in Montreal for the WWE’s Elimination Chamber Premium Live Event (PLE), Zayn could feel the crowd’s energy coursing through his veins as they cheered him on.

The hometown hero was standing toe to toe, face to face and going to battle with The Tribal Chief himself, Roman Reigns, the dominant WWE Undisputed World Champion.

And while he didn’t come out on top, the crowd took the time to show appreciation to Zayn, who for a year, was involved in one of the most captivating storylines the WWE has ever produced.

Getting the chance to main event a WWE Premium Live Event in his hometown, in front of his wife, family and friends, against an opponent like Roman Reigns is an evening Sami Zayn won’t soon forget.

“It was a very special time, and a very special weekend in Montreal,” said Zayn in an interview with CityNews Ottawa.

Zayn was gaining so much momentum, it was reminiscent of the rises of Kofi Kingston (KofiMania), Daniel Bryan (The Yes Movement) and Becky Lynch (The Man) that forced the WWE to pivot in a direction that was based on the vocal and passionate wrestling fans standing firmly behind a performer.

“I was surprised with the direction this was headed,” said Zayn of the fan support. “I always had this vision for it (The Bloodline storyline) and if we were able to get it to a certain point where people would want to see me and Roman and me winning the title from Roman.”

As the buildup to their match began, the chants and support for Zayn grew louder and stronger, with the former NXT champion hoping, just maybe, it was his turn to be the top dog.

“I think at least, in my eyes, there had to be some consideration to beat Roman with the way things were going,” said Zayn. “It’s very rare when something like this happens that’s organic. We were gaining so much momentum and it just kept growing.”

There was redemption, of sorts, for Zayn, as he teamed up with his best friend Kevin Owens, another Montreal native and former WWE Universal Champion, to take on the Usos for the Undisputed WWE World Tag Team Championships in the main event of night one of Wrestlemania.

It was the first time in Wrestlemania e a tag team championship match was the main event.

And in thrilling fashion in front of over 80,000 people at SoFi Stadium in a match of the year candidate, Zayn and Owens beat the Usos to capture the gold.

The two friends had their history with The Bloodline, so it was natural they would team up to take down arguably the greatest tag team in WWE history after coming up short in their respective battles with Roman Reigns.

“We told this story so compellingly and we did this thing that was never done before,” said Zayn about main eventing Wrestlemania. “It’s remarkable the way there was this natural momentum of a story that manifested itself into the main event of Wrestlemania. It wasn’t something that was put on pen and paper months in advance and it carried itself to this point.”

Owens has been there, through the ups and downs with Zayn, in a wrestling career that has spanned two decades.

He never envisioned the chance to main event a Wrestlemania, but “here we are”, he added.

“It’s actually hard to get your head around because it felt like such an improbably story,” said Zayn. “It exceeds any goal we every dreamed of.”

Since joining the WWE in 2013, Zayn has captured the NXT title, won the Intercontinental championship on three separate occasions and has held tag team gold.

He has yet to capture a world title as a member of the main roster.

“I would really like that and it would be a nice feather in the cap,” said Zayn. “I know this all story based, but there was a part of me that was heartbroken after losing to Roman that was real, but I don’t want it to be, well that’s it, that’s as close as he’ll come to winning.”

Zayn sees this as one chapter closing, and the start of a new journey into his path of becoming a world champion.

“This isn’t necessarily the ending of the story, it might be the end of this chapter, and it might come back around with Roman, who knows,” he said. “But in the grand totality of the Sami Zayn character, it doesn’t end with that. It might be the opening of a new chapter of this guy came close and how many times will he come close until he finally gets it.”

Whether he becomes world champion or not, Zayn said he won’t look at his career as incomplete.

“If it doesn’t happen, I won’t let it be a sore spot in a tremendous career,” he said.

Zayn always looks forward to coming back and performing in Canada. The WWE is on a current tour across the country, and has made stops in Calgary for Smackdown, Winnipeg for Raw and Toronto for Smackdown.

It will make stops in Laval and Quebec City.

On Aug. 19, the WWE returns to the Canadian Tire Centre. The last time the WWE was in Ottawa was the Raw after Elimination Chamber.

“Oh man, that night, the ovation it was just amazing,” said Zayn about the reception from the Ottawa crowd back in February. “The whole experience with the Elimination Chamber in Montreal and then coming to Ottawa and just how people reacted. I always look forward to coming back to Ottawa.”