Sami Zayn has been a mainstay in the WWE Universe for almost ten years, consistently improving his skills every day. Known for turning every gimmick into pure gold, Zayn’s latest iteration involving The Bloodline has been a hit with fans. However, he may have rubbed some people the wrong way backstage.
The former indie wrestler entered WWE in 2013 after a stint in developmental for almost two years. Since then, he has skyrocketed to fame, becoming one of the most beloved figures in the company. But not everyone enjoys Zayn’s unique entertainment brand.
WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair recently spoke out about his issues with Zayn on his Wooooo Nation Uncensored podcast. Flair claimed that the former Honorary Uce had backstage heat with him and that the only person he could beat was actor Johnny Knoxville. It remains to be seen how this will affect Zayn’s career moving forward, but one thing is sure – he is a force to be reckoned with in the ring.
“That’s [Knoxville] the only guy on the roster that Zayn could probably beat. If he [Zayn] gets heat with me, he’s got to get heat with the marks.
Moreover, the 16-time world champion has expressed difficulties communicating with Sami Zayn backstage, particularly when compared to his real-life best friend and fellow WWE superstar, Kevin Owens.
According to Flair, his conversations with Zayn were limited to small talk. At the same time, Owens, whom Flair described as a “great guy” and a performer ten times better than Zayn, showed a greater understanding and respect towards Flair’s position in the company. In contrast, Flair observed that Zayn appeared aloof and distant, creating a negative impression of the wrestler in Flair’s eyes.
“For me, personally, when I got to make small talk to get along with Sami Zayn… that’s all I’ve got to say. When I got to walk through to make small talk… with Kevin Owens — who is 10 times the performer and a great guy – who understands and respects who I am; and Sami Zayn kind of easing around in the hallway and I got to make small talk to connect with him, he’s done in my book.”
Flair’s recent comments indicate that he had difficulty communicating with Sami Zayn backstage, while he had a positive relationship with Zayn’s real-life best friend and fellow wrestler, Kevin Owens.
Despite this, Zayn’s exceptional in-ring abilities and remarkable charisma have made him a valuable asset to the WWE and a fan favorite. However, some may wonder if Zayn’s reported backstage issues had any negative impact on his career. What are your thoughts on this matter? Share your opinions in the comments section below.
