In late 2014 and early 2015, Sami Zayn was NXT champion for about two months. Despite joining the so-called main roster shortly after losing the black-and-gold brand belt, it’s remained the only title on Zayn’s WWE resume.
Until last night (Mar. 8) at Elimination Chamber, when seven years after he joined the company and five since he debuted on Raw, WWE booked Sami to win the Intercontinental championship.
It came in a handicap match that saw Zayn’s Artist Collective do most of the heavy lifting, and with speculation shoulder injuries may be keeping him in a more managerial role. But for Sami likers who’ve been anxiously awaiting a chance to celebrate, none of that matters.
Among those celebrating... sometime-kayfabe and always-IRL friends Zayn and Kevin Owens.
Their reaction tweets mixed reality & storyline, and work in either. In case you needed another example of how they’re very good at their jobs.
The Great Liberator let the t-shirt Paul McCartney’s daughter Stella wore to her old man’s solo Rock ‘N’ Roll Hall of Fame induction do the talking:
— Sami Zayn (@SamiZayn) March 9, 2020
While babyface KO noted his buddy’s current heel character, and ribbed him about his hair:
You can complain all you want about how he won it or his attitude but Sami being Intercontinental Champion is long overdue.
— Kevin (@FightOwensFight) March 9, 2020
The fact that he won it after growing hair that rivals Wayne Gretzky’s in his heyday makes it worth the wait though.
I’m very proud of you, @SamiZayn. pic.twitter.com/4scJSRSYP9
Aren’t these two the best?