Sami Zayn Knows WWE Title Win Was More Likely Under Vince McMahon

Sami Zayn has explained why he is further from a WWE Championship win now than when Vince McMahon was in charge.

Sami Zayn came within touching distance of winning the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship at Elimination Chamber in 2023. In front of his hometown crowd in Montreal, Canada, Zayn landed a devastating Helluva Kick on then-champion Roman Reigns but it came after the referee had been knocked out, meaning there was nobody to count the pin. The Bloodline then interfered on Reigns’ behalf and The Tribal Chief defeated Zayn to continue his historic reign.

In the months since then, The Underdog From The Underground has continued to be a key part of WWE TV and at WrestleMania 40, Sami Zayn ended Gunther’s record-breaking reign to become the Intercontinental Champion for the fourth time.

Despite the success, Zayn still has eyes for on a World Title reign someday, but he thinks it’s less likely now than it was when Vince McMahon controlled WWE’s creative direction.

Sami Zayn Believes Vince McMahon’s Unpredictability Could Have Led To WWE Title Reign

Speaking to Alex McCarthy of the Daily Mail, Zayn explained that things were a lot more unpredictable with McMahon, meaning a title reign could come at any time. Whereas, Triple H has a set vision for the longterm, and it’s harder to become part of the longer term story.

“Here’s how I see it. I think Hunter sees me differently from how Vince saw me, especially as a good guy.

“I think Vince saw me much more as a bad guy, for a number of reasons. He saw my irksome qualities that he thought lent itself to being an irksome character. Having said that, I think things were a lot more unpredictable because of the nature of Vince’s week to week, kind of approach, that sometimes the marble would just fall in the right hole, and now you’re champion, whereas with Hunter, I think it’s much more he has longer-term vision, and if you’re not part of that vision, then the chances of breaking into that vision are much, much slimmer.”

Ultimately, Zayn plans to do his best in every aspect of his work, hoping that will be enough for him to finally reach the top.

“It’s kind of a double edged sword. He might see me in a way that lends itself more to being in that mix and possibly winning it. But on the other hand, I could have just slipped on a banana peel and won the world title.

“I just do my best. I just give the best performances I can give, I try to perform with as much emotion as possible and tell the best stories I can tell. And I hope that that eventually gets me there.”

Despite it being a goal to win a World Championship before he hangs up his boots, Zayn says it’s not something he “lives and dies” by as he’s already had an amazing career regardless.

“I’d like to win the world title once before I call it a day, there’s no question, but I don’t live and die by that. It’d be great, and I really appreciate people saying they’d love to see it. I’d love to see it too, and I hope it happens, but if it doesn’t, thank you just the same, because it’s been amazing.”

H/T to MailOnline for the above transcription.