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One of the biggest news of this past week has been WWE stripping Sami Zayn of his Intercontinental Championship. The company also announced a tournament to determine the new holder of the currently vacant title. The decision was taken by WWE after Zayn decided to stay at home during the current global pandemic.
Sami Zayn last wrestled at WrestleMania 36 last month where he successfully defended his Intercontinental title against Daniel Bryan. WWE officials realized that he won't be able to return for the foreseeable future and decided to take the title off him.
With many major names temporarily absent from the roster as well, Sami's absence is a huge blow for the company. Now the question is how will WWE book the return of the former Intercontinental Champion?
Let's take a look at five interesting ways to bring Sami Zayn back. Be sure to let us know your thoughts and opinions on the same in the comments section below.
#5 Sami Zayn returns as a face, confronts the Intercontinental Champion
Before turning into a massive heel, Sami Zayn was arguably one of the most popular and loved babyfaces on the entire WWE roster. Being a great wrestler, working his way through the independent circuit to the biggest wrestling promotion in the world, he was the ultimate underdog who everyone wanted to see win. Well, they still do!
It's usual to see Superstars get a change in their character dynamics after such breaks, and WWE could do the same with Sami Zayn. Him returning as a babyface and confronting the Intercontinental Champion could be a great way! If the champion is a heel, the story could be him wanting the title he never lost.
Otherwise, WWE can use the classic "Open Challenge" by the champion to the roster, which gets answered by Sami Zayn to a huge pop from the crowd (provided the crowds return by then, of course).
#4 Sami Zayn returns to NXT
The last year or so has seen the so-called "Developmental Brand" of the company, NXT rise to fame and get recognized as the proper third brand of WWE. Be it the shift to the USA Network or NXT dominating and winning the Survivor Series against RAW and SmackDown, or NXT Superstars competing at WrestleMania, all eyes have been on NXT.
Another major change has seen some top main roster Superstars returning to the Yellow and Black brand, including the likes of Finn Balor and Charlotte Flair. Could WWE potentially add Sami Zayn to this list as well?
Sami Zayn is a former NXT Champion and has had some epic matches and rivalries during his time with the brand. Zayn returning to NXT could be a huge boost for the brand in the rating war against AEW. There are so many talents that he could have fresh feuds with. Adam Cole, Johnny Gargano, Tomasso Ciampa, and others could be great opponents for Sami if he decides to return to NXT. Would you like to see him challenge for the NXT Championship again?
#3 Sami Zayn returns as an anti-authority character
Anti-authority characters have always been hugely successful throughout WWE History. Be it the classic Stone Cold Steve Austin, or recent stars like Seth Rollins and Kevin Owens, these characters have ensured some great storylines for the WWE Universe.
Sami Zayn is one Superstar who could fit perfectly in such a role. We have previously seen his best friend Kevin Owens go up against the McMahons, both Shane-O-Mac and his boss Vince as well. What if Sami returns and decides to wreak chaos on the "authority"?
There are many ways WWE can book this angle. It could all start with Sami being upset about being stripped of his title. WWE can add the reality factor to it by including the entire "only come to work if you feel like it" policy, which Sami could bring up and try to sue Mr. McMahon, in kayfabe of course. He can go as far as to cut a "pipe bomb" on his boss.
Another interesting storyline could be him leading the NXT Roster in an NXT invasion angle on the main roster. With him being an NXT alumnus, he could prove to be a great leader in the storyline invasion. There were rumors that WWE has put on hold a major storyline like the Nexus invasion and Sami could certainly be a part of it.
#2 Sami Zayn returns and attacks the Universal Champion
It's almost a shame that a Superstar of the caliber of Sami Zayn is yet to win a World title in WWE. It was, in fact, just recently at Elimination Chamber that he won his first main roster championship in the company, after being called up from NXT in 2016. It's disheartening to see him lose his first title in this manner by having to vacate it.
Sami Zayn is one of those Superstars on the roster, who deserve to win the WWE or Universal Championship. Be it his wrestling skills, character, fan support, and mic work, Zayn is an all-round package but somehow hasn't got the push that he deserves.
If Braun Strowman remains the Universal Champion by the time when Sami Zayn returns, WWE has a great opportunity to book the two in a feud. Sami has a great history with the Monster Among Men, which could be used well to book an intense rivalry between the two.
Remember how Strowman defeated and embarrassed Zayn on RAW a few years ago when WWE was trying to build him up as a monster heel. Then recently, it was Strowman who Sami defeated to become the IC Champion. Could we be in for chapter three?
#1 Sami Zayn returns and reforms the Artist Collective
One of the most probable ways for Sami Zayn to return to action would be him coming back and reforming the Artist Collective with Shinsuke Nakamura and Cesaro. Even after being absent from the WWE Programming on TV, Zayn has been completely in-character on his Twitter. He recently tweeted how everyone in the Intercontinental Championship tournament, except Shinsuke, have no self-respect and that he is disappointed in all of them.
If WWE decides to keep him a heel on his return, he could as well bring back the Artist Collective and sneak attack the Intercontinental champion. Otherwise, the trio can also enter the Tag Team scene. They can either straightaway go after the SmackDown Tag Team Championships or have a feud with other factions like the recently debuted, Forgotten Sons.
There have been rumors of WWE not being very happy with Sami's decision of staying at home and we sincerely hope that it does not affect his push. He has been doing a great job as a heel and has proven his versatility.
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