The NXT Five: Analysing and grading their WWE careers

#4 Sami Zayn

Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn are inseparable

Key quote from WWE.com interview: “Being an Arab and still being able to come out there and be myself and not have to wrap a turban around my head, that’s really cool. And that’s going to be part of the legacy of this generation of guys: We’re going to smash down many boundaries and preconceived notions.”

NXT career: Before Johnny Gargano, there was Sami Zayn – the never-say-die underdog whose year-long chase of the NXT Championship came to a victorious end in December 2014. His reign didn’t last long and an injury derailed his final year in NXT, but he received the perfect send-off against the debuting Shinsuke Nakamura in April 2016.

WWE career: Zayn suffered a long-term shoulder injury on his debut against John Cena and his WWE career didn’t really get started until he reignited his rivalry with Kevin Owens in 2016. The highlight of Zayn’s time on the main roster came in October 2017 when he turned heel and aligned with his bitter enemy.

WWE future: Right now, “The Underdog From The Underground” is sidelined with another shoulder injury and he isn’t expected back until 2019. When he returns, he will be looking to win his first title on the main roster.

Verdict: Fans have come to realise that, no matter how good NXT is, that long-term style of storytelling will not be replicated in WWE, and Zayn is the perfect example of that. The former NXT champ is one of the brand’s biggest legends but, despite some magnificent character work as a heel, he hasn’t received the main-roster chances that fans think he deserves.

Grade: B-