12-Year WWE Veteran Expected To Finally Win First World Title

A first world title for a 12-year WWE veteran might be closing in.

Sami Zayn has been a part of the Stamford promotion since 2013, debuting on the NXT brand, where he had a 62-day title reign as the NXT Champion.

Despite being a babyface and a heel on the main roster, Zayn remains a fan favorite.

At WrestleMania 39, he became the Unified Tag Team Champion along with Kevin Owens by defeating the Usos. Apart from that, he has won the Intercontinental Championship 4 times.

WWE has often been criticized for subpar bookings for Sami Zayn in the past. He is currently involved in a feud with Karrion Kross; their singles match is set for SummerSlam.

On the latest REBOOKED Wrestling Podcast, former WWE star Aiden English predicted a world title run for the Canadian wrestler in the near future.

I think Sami Zayn will win a world title within the next year if not the calendar year. I think there’s something big, long-term plan with him. He’s always been honest about it in interviews, but they’re hitting it on TV. So, I think it’s on purpose, and I think he needs to have more, maybe, big crisis, and I think this could be that. [46:58 onwards]

WWE Critic Likens Sami Zayn To Bayley

Despite being a beloved figure in WWE, a world title reign has eluded him.

On a recent Wrestling Observer Radio episode, Dave Meltzer discussed Zayn, calling him the equivalent of Bayley, who has been featured in a similar so-close-yet-so-far storyline of late.

Sami is like Bayley. They’re real stars, the audience likes them, and they’re there for other people to beat to move up, because that’s just what they’re there for.

Although I guess Sami, at some point, is winning that World Title. I just don’t know what year it’s going to be. But it’ll be that consolation prize thing, you know?

Zayn’s match with Kross at WWE SummerSlam has an added stipulation; if Zayn loses, he must say, “Karrion was right.” If Kross loses, he must say, “I was wrong” about Zayn.