Upon signing with WWE in 2013 and taking on the ring name Sami Zayn, he began wrestling without a mask in WWE'sdevelopmental brandNXT, eventually winning theNXT Championship. After being promoted to the main roster, he would become a four-timeIntercontinental Champion. Starting in 2022, his popularity with fans would begin to skyrocket thanks to his critically acclaimed work withThe Bloodline faction.[9] In addition to his other WWE accomplishments, Sebei also wrestled in the main event of several pay-per-view events, includingWrestleMania 39, where he became one half of theUndisputed WWE Tag Team Champions (theRaw andSmackDown Tag Team Championships) alongside longtime best friendKevin Owens.
Sebei trained underJerry Tuite andSavio Vega[6] and made his professional wrestling debut on March 1, 2002, for the FLQ promotion in Quebec as Stevie McFly.[16][17][18] On July 14, 2002, as El Generico, he made hisInternational Wrestling Syndicate (IWS) debut at the Scarred For Life event in a count out victory.[19] On October 18, 2003, at Blood, Sweat and Beers, Generico lost toCarl Ouellet in a three-way match also involvingKevin Steen. On November 15 at Payback's A Bitch, El Generico defeated Kevin Steen in their first-ever singles match against each other.[20][21] IWS held its fifth-anniversary show "V" on June 15, 2004, at Le SPAG, where Generico defeated PCO in an IWS title match for his first IWS World Heavyweight Championship, only to have Kevin Steen reclaim his number one contendership won earlier in the night against Excess 69. Generico lost to Steen for theIWS World Heavyweight Championship.
On September 11 at CZW High Stakes II, Generico, Steen and Excess 69 lost toSeXXXy Eddy in an IWS four-way match which was unofficially chosen as "CZW Match of the Year".[22][23] On August 20, 2005, at Extreme Dream II, Generico lost to Chris Bishop in the Extreme Dream Tournament final match for the IWS Canadian Championship. On February 16, 2008, Generico defeated Kevin Steen for the IWS World Heavyweight Championship at Violent Valentine. On March 22, at Know Your Enemies, Generico lost the IWS World Heavyweight Championship to Steen a three-way match also involvingMax Boyer.
In 2004, members of the IWS started making appearances in the popular independent companyPro Wrestling Guerrilla (PWG). El Generico held thePWG World Tag Team Championship five times with four different partners: withHuman Tornado as 2 Skinny Black Guys,Quicksilver as Cape Fear,Kevin Steen, andPaul London as¡Peligro Abejas!. Generico is also the only participant to consecutively appear in the first eightBattle of Los Angeles tournaments from 2005. On February 24, 2007, Generico defeated former partner Tornado to win thePWG World Championship during his title run with Cape Fear. Later that year, while Generico was still World Champion, he and Steen defeatedPAC andRoderick Strong for the belts, making Generico the only man in PWG history to hold both the World and World Tag Team titles not once, but twice at the same time.
In mid-2009, Generico entered a lengthy feud with the tag team Men of Low Moral Fiber, consisting ofKenny Omega andChuck Taylor, recruitingColt Cabana, refereeRick Knox, and former partner Human Tornado (effectively reuniting 2 Skinny Black Guys) to stand by his side. At PWG's sixth anniversary event,Threemendous II, 2 Skinny Black Guys defeated current championsThe Young Bucks in a non-title match, giving the Bucks their first tag team loss in almost a year and a half. On November 21 during the second night of the2009 Battle of Los Angeles, Generico and Kevin Steen lost a title match against the Bucks.[24] Later, he and Cabana saved the new PWG World Champion Kenny Omega fromBrian Kendrick and the Bucks and made peace with him as they now had a common enemy.[25]
On May 9, 2010, Generico teamed up with "Intrepid Traveler" Paul London to form a duo introduced as¡Peligro Abejas! (translated as Danger Bees!) in the fourth annualDynamite Duumvirate Tag Team Title Tournament eight-team tag tournament. After defeating Chuck Taylor andScott Lost in the first round and theBriscoe Brothers (Jay and Mark) in the semifinals, Generico and London defeated the Young Bucks in the finals of the tournament to not only win DDT4, but also the PWG World Tag Team Championship, Generico's fifth time holding the title.[26] On December 11, 2010, El Generico earned himself a shot at the PWG World Championship, when ¡Peligro Abejas! successfully defended the PWG World Tag Team Championship againstChris Hero and the PWG World Champion,Claudio Castagnoli, the team known collectively as TheKings of Wrestling.[27] Generico received his shot at the PWG World Championship on January 29, 2011, during theWrestleReunion 5 weekend, but was defeated by Castagnoli.[28] On April 9, El Generico teamed withRicochet, who filled in for London who was unable to appear at the event, in a match, where they lost the PWG World Tag Team Championship back to The Young Bucks.[29][30] On August 20, Generico entered the2011 Battle of Los Angeles, defeating Claudio Castagnoli andWillie Mack in his first round and semifinal matches. Later that same night, Generico defeated old rival Kevin Steen in the finals to win the tournament, becoming the first person to have won the PWG World and World Tag Team championships as well as the DDT4 and Battle of Los Angeles tournaments. In the process, Generico also earned himself a match for Steen's PWG World Championship.[31] On October 22, El Generico defeated Steen in aladder match, following outside interference from The Young Bucks, to win the PWG World Championship for the second time.[32] On March 17, 2012, El Generico re-lost the title to Steen in a three-way match, which also includedEddie Edwards.[33] After agreeing to a deal withWWE, El Generico made his farewell appearance for PWG on January 12, 2013, when he and Kevin Steen entered the2013 Dynamite Duumvirate Tag Team Title Tournament. After wins over the Briscoe Brothers and Future Shock (Adam Cole andKyle O'Reilly), El Generico and Steen were defeated in the finals of the tournament by The Young Bucks.[34]
On February 19, 2005, El Generico made his debut forPhiladelphia,Pennsylvania–based promotionChikara, taking part in the2005 Tag World Grand Prix, where he teamed with Kevin Steen as Team IWS. The team made it to the quarterfinals of the tournament, before being defeated by the SuperFriends (Chris Hero andMike Quackenbush).[35]
El Generico returned to Chikara three years later to take part in the2008 King of Trios, where he teamed withPlayer Uno andStupefied, again, as Team IWS. After defeating the F1rst Family (Arik Cannon, Darin Corbin and Ryan Cruz) in their first round match on March 1, Team IWS was eliminated from the tournament later that same day byLos Luchadores de Mexico (Incognito,Lince Dorado andEl Pantera), who went on to win the entire tournament.[36] The following year, on March 27, El Generico returned for the2009 King of Trios, this time teaming with Matt and Nick Jackson as Team PWG. They were eliminated from the tournament in the first round byThe Osirian Portal (Amasis, Escorpion Egipcio andOphidian).[37] The following day El Generico entered theRey de Voladores tournament, but was defeated byKota Ibushi in his four-way elimination semifinal match, which also includedJigsaw and Nick Jackson.[38] On the third night of the tournament, El Generico was defeated by Arik Cannon in a singles match.[39]
1–2–3 Kid (left) embracing El Generico after their match atKing of Trios on April 17, 2011
El Generico's next appearance for Chikara occurred almost two years later on January 23, 2011, when he facedEddie Kingston in a losing effort.[40] For the2011 King of Trios El Generico came together with3.0 (Scott Parker and Shane Matthews) to form ¡3.0le!. The team was eliminated from the tournament in the first round by The Osirian Portal (Amasis,Hieracon and Ophidian).[40][41] The following day El Generico entered his secondRey de Voladores and defeated Pinkie Sanchez,Zack Sabre Jr. andMarshe Rockett in his four-way elimination semifinal match to qualify for the following day's finals.[40][42] The following day El Generico defeated the1–2–3 Kid in the finals to win the 2011Rey de Voladores.[40][43] El Generico returned to Chikara on July 30, 2011, when he reunited ¡3.0le! with Scott Parker and Shane Matthews in a six-man tag team match, where they defeated F.I.S.T. (Chuck Taylor,Icarus andJohnny Gargano).[40][44] The following day ¡3.0le! was defeated by the Spectral Envoy (Frightmare,Hallowicked andUltraMantis Black) in a six-man tag team match.[40][44]
El Generico first wrestled forRing of Honor (ROH) in 2005, earning a spot in a Four Corner Survival match atDo Or Die IV. He teamed with the Ring Crew Express (Dunn and Marcos) in theTrios Tournament 2005, losing to the Rottweilers. AtStalemate, he lost toRoderick Strong, then teaming with Sal Rinauro againstThe Embassy atNew Frontiers (and losing). He only received a few more matches, losing toAustin Aries atFate of an Angel and getting his first win against fellow IWS alumnus Kevin Steen atThe Homecoming (a match that didn't even make it to the event's DVD). His final ROH match of this run was a loss toHomicide atDragon Gate Invasion.
Generico returned to ROH in late 2006, making an appearance atDethroned, where he was defeated byBrent Albright. Following this, he took part in (and lost) a Four Corner Survival match toJimmy Rave atFinal Battle 2006. In 2007, El Generico formed a permanent team with Kevin Steen, taking on the Briscoe Brothers at theFifth Year Festival: Philly. Much like many previous matches, they were defeated in this encounter, but the two men had a memorable showing that eventually earned them a full-time spot on the roster. Throughout 2007, the two teams feuded with one another, having several memorable matches including (but not limited to) a great match on theDriven pay-per-view, ROH's second-ever. Their feud came to an end following a brutal Street Fight atDeath Before Dishonor V: Night 1, a steel cage match atCaged Rage, a two out of three falls match atManhattan Mayhem 2 and a ladder match advertised as a "Ladder War" atMan Up. This final match became the Main Event of ROH's third pay-per-view.
Generico in 2008
Also during this time, Generico broke out as a singles competitor, having a strong run in the Race to the Top Tournament of 2007. He defeated (in order)Delirious, Chris Hero andDavey Richards, only to lose in the final match of the tournament to Claudio Castagnoli. After the feud with the Briscoes ended, Generico and Steen spent several months feuding with the Hangmen Three in an inconclusive feud that carried on into 2008. They also worked through the tag ranks and attempted to win the tag titles, but came up short in a tag title tournament atUp For Grabs. Generico took ROH World championNigel McGuinness to the limit atAge of Insanity, but eventually lost.
On September 19, 2008, Generico and Steen finally won theROH World Tag Team Championship by beatingThe Age of the Fall atDriven.[45] Generico lost a second match to McGuinness atGlory by Honor VII. Generico was booked in another match against McGuinness atCaged Collision, which he lost. On April 10, 2009, at a television taping, Generico and Steen lost the ROH World Tag Team Championship toThe American Wolves (Eddie Edwards and Davey Richards).[45] Generico then suffered a knee injury, sustaining damage to hisMedial collateral ligament.[citation needed]
On December 19, 2009, atFinal Battle 2009, ROH's first live pay-per-view, after a loss toThe Young Bucks, Steen turned heel by attacking El Generico.[46] He then formed a team with Colt Cabana and together the two of them started a feud with Steen and his new partnerSteve Corino. At the following pay-per-view,The Big Bang!, Generico and Cabana defeated Steen and Corino via disqualification when Steen used a chair on his former partner.[47] On June 19 atDeath Before Dishonor VIII, Steen defeated El Generico in a singles match.[48] On September 11 atGlory By Honor IX Generico and Cabana defeated Steen and Corino in aDouble Chain match, when Cabana forced Corino to tap out. After the match Steen attacked El Generico and unmasked him.[49] On December 18 atFinal Battle 2010 El Generico and Steen ended their year-long feud in anunsanctionedFight Without Honor, where Generico put his mask on the line against Steen's ROH career. In the weeks leading up to the event, Generico debuted a new darker character and an all-black outfit.[50] In the end El Generico won the match and thus forced Steen out of Ring of Honor.[51] On March 2, 2011, ROH announced that El Generico had signed a new contract with the promotion.[52]
On April 1 at the first night ofHonor Takes Center Stage, El Generico was defeated byMichael Elgin from the House of Truth following interference from a masked man, led byTruth Martini.[53] The following day, El Generico defeated another member of the House of Truth, Roderick Strong, but after the match was attacked by Elgin and Martini. Colt Cabana came out to make the save but was stopped by the House of Truth's advantage in numbers. This led toChristopher Daniels coming out, but he ended up turning heel and hitting El Generico with the Book of Truth and Cabana with the Angel's Wings, thus joining the House of Truth and revealing himself as the man who had cost El Generico his match against Elgin.[54] On June 26 atBest in the World 2011, Generico defeated Daniels to win theROH World Television Championship.[55] He lost the title toJay Lethal on August 13 at the firstRing of Honor Wrestling tapings under theSinclair Broadcast Group banner.[56] On March 30, 2012, atShowdown in the Sun, El Generico faced the reinstated Kevin Steen in a losing effort in aLast Man Standing match and then disappeared from ROH.[57] After Steen successfully defended the ROH World Championship on October 13 atGlory By Honor XI: The Unbreakable Hope, he received a parcel containing Generico's mask.[58] El Generico returned to ROH on December 16 atFinal Battle 2012: Doomsday, where he unsuccessfully challenged Steen for the ROH World Championship in a ladder war.[59] This was his last appearance with ROH before signing with WWE.
Generico travelled to Japan during the summer of 2007, where he worked for theDragon Gate (DG) promotion as the gaijin (foreign) representative of theNew Hazard stable.[60][61] He returned to the promotion in July 2008, where he was announced as Tozawa-juku's "foreign exchange student."[62] El Generico made his third tour of Dragon Gate in October 2009, when he wrestled as a member of the Kamikaze stable.[63]
In early 2011, El Generico began making semi-regular appearances for the JapaneseDDT Pro-Wrestling sister-promotion Union Pro Wrestling, making his debut on January 3 with a win over Shinichiro Tominaga.[64] On September 19, El Generico won his first title in Japan, when he defeatedIsami Kodaka for theDDT Extreme Championship.[65] After successful title defenses againstShuji Ishikawa andSanshiro Takagi,[66][67] he re-lost the title to Kodaka on January 3, 2012.[68] El Generico has also made some appearances for Union Pro's parent promotion,DDT Pro-Wrestling, most notably defeating Kota Ibushi in Ibushi's return match from a shoulder injury on May 4, 2012.[69] On August 18, El Generico wrestled his first match in theNippon Budokan, defeating the debutingKonosuke Takeshita.[70] On September 30, El Generico defeated Kota Ibushi to win theKO-D Openweight Championship, DDT's top title.[71][72] El Generico made his first successful title defense on October 21 in a rematch against Ibushi.[73] On November 25, El Generico defeatedKO-D Tag Team ChampionMikami for his second successful defense of the KO-D Openweight Championship.[74] On December 23, El Generico lost the KO-D Openweight Championship to Kenny Omega in his third defense.[75]
On March 31, 2012, El Generico made his debut forDragon Gate USA (DGUSA), when he defeated Chuck Taylor,Cima, Lince Dorado,Rich Swann andSamuray del Sol in a six-way match.[76] On April 13, El Generico made his debut forEvolve, a promotion closely affiliated with DGUSA, losing toLow Ki.[77] After another loss to Ricochet on May 11,[78] El Generico picked up his first win in the promotion on May 12 by defeatingSami Callihan.[79] El Generico then had two singles matches against Samuray del Sol; the first on June 28 at Evolve 14 was won by El Generico and the rematch the following day at Evolve 15 was won by Samuray.[80][81] El Generico returned to Dragon Gate USA on July 28, when he and Samuray were defeated in a tag team match byA. R. Fox and Cima.[82] On September 8, El Generico and Samuray del Sol faced off in another Evolve main event, which was won by El Generico.[83] On November 4 at Dragon Gate USA's Freedom Fight 2012, El Generico teamed with Samuray in a tag team match, where they defeatedGenki Horiguchi andRyo Saito.[84] The two continued their winning ways on December 8 at Evolve 18, where they defeated the Super Smash Bros. (Player Uno and Stupefied).[85]
From 2005 onwards, El Generico has made several appearances for the GermanWestside Xtreme Wrestling (wXw) promotion.[86] On March 4, 2012, El Generico defeatedTommy End to win wXw's 2012 16 Carat Gold Tournament.[87] On May 19, El Generico defeatedBig van Walter to also win thewXw Unified World Wrestling Championship.[88] On August 12, 2012, he lost the title toAxel Tischer in a four-way match, which also included Bad Bones and Karsten Beck.[89] In October 2009 El Generico traveled to Poland to take part in Do or Die Wrestling's event in Warsaw, defeating Michael Kovac in the main event of the show.[90] In May 2010, Generico competed in the main-event of Capital City Championship Combat's show, Stand Alone. On October 23, Generico competed at Pro Wrestling Superstars' inaugural show in Jacksonville, North Carolina, where he teamed with Paul London to defeat Joey Silvia and Jake Manning.[91]
On January 11, 2011, El Generico wrestled in a tryoutdark match forTotal Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) at the promotion'sImpact! tapings, losing toAmazing Red.[92] The following day he defeatedT. J. Perkins in another dark match.[93] On April 20, 2011, El Generico made his South American debut, when he wrestled forPeruvian promotion Leader Wrestling Association (LWA), facing Apocalipsis, Axl and Kaiser in a number one contender's match to determine a challenger for Caoz, the promotion's "Campeón Máximo". In the end, Kaiser came out of the match victorious.[94] On April 24, El Generico wrestled forChilean promotion Xplosion Nacional de Lucha (XNL), losing to Crazy Sid in an XNL Championship number one contender's three-way match, which also included XL.[95] On February 26, 2012, El Generico visited Russia for the first time, making his debut for the Independent Wrestling Federation (IWF), where he faced Ivan "Locomotive" Markov and won.[96] Later in the year, on September 16, they wrestled in a rematch and this time Markov was victorious.[96] On September 8, 2012, Generico made an appearance forCombat Zone Wrestling (CZW), unsuccessfully challengingMasada for theCZW World Heavyweight Championship.[97]
After signing with WWE, El Generico made his final Canadian independent appearance on January 18, 2013, when he worked for theHart Legacy Wrestling (HLW) promotion inCalgary. In the opening four-way elimination match, El Generico and Samuray del Sol were victorious over Cam!kaze and Pete Wilson,Brian Cage andTrent Barreta, and Andrew Hawkes and Ryan Rollins. As a result, the two earned a spot in the main event ten man tag team match, where they teamed with Barreta,Davey Boy Smith Jr. andJack Evans in a losing effort against the team ofTeddy Hart, Brian Cage, Cam!kaze, Flip Kendrick and Pete Wilson, with Generico being pinned for the win by Hart.[98][99]
In January 2013, Sebei signed withWWE[10][100][101][102][103] after passing all medical tests.[104] On February 13, Sebei made his debut for WWE'sdevelopmental territoryNXT, but did not wrestle.[105] Sebei's NXT in-ring debut took place at a live event on March 7 inTampa, Florida, wrestling a tag team match unmasked under his real name.[106][107][108] Sebei eventually settled on the ring nameSami Zayn.[109] Zayn made his televised debut on the May 22 episode ofNXT, first defeatingCurt Hawkins in the opening match and then challenging and scoring an upset win overAntonio Cesaro later in the show.[110] The following week, he took part in an 18-manbattle royal to determine the number one contender to theNXT Championship, but was eliminated byMason Ryan.[111] On the June 12 episode ofNXT, Zayn suffered his first pinfall loss in NXT in a rematch with Cesaro.[112] On the July 17NXT, Zayn failed to win another number one contender's match also involving Cesaro andLeo Kruger.[113] On the July 31 episode ofNXT, Zayn teamed with NXT ChampionBo Dallas against Cesaro and Kruger; after Cesaro and Zayn brawled to the back, Dallas lost the match and later blamed Zayn for the loss.[114][115] On the August 21 episode ofNXT, Zayn lost to Cesaro in atwo-out-of-three falls match to conclude the feud.[116] On September 6, Zayn made his WWE debut at ahouse show in his hometown ofMontreal, where he defeated Cesaro.[117] When Zayn targeted Dallas' NXT Championship, Dallas cost Zayn his match against Cesaro's fellow Real AmericanJack Swagger.[118] Dallas held an open challenge to determine the next title contender, but he banned Zayn from competing.[119] However, Zayn masqueraded as the masked El Local and defeated Dallas to earn his title shot.[120] The match occurred on the October 16 episode ofNXT, but NXT General ManagerJohn Bradshaw Layfield restarted the match when Zayn won despite Dallas' foot being on the ropes and then Dallas sent Zayn into an exposed turnbuckle to retain his title.[121]
In November 2013, after tying a Beat the Clock challenge withAdrian Neville by defeating Leo Kruger,[122] Zayn lost a number one contender's match to Neville on the November 27 episode ofNXT.[123] Zayn moved on to feud with Kruger and the feud culminated in Zayn winning a two-out-of-three falls match on the January 1, 2014, episode ofNXT.[124] After that, Zayn's obsession with his loss to Cesaro the previous year led to him challenging Cesaro to a rematch atNXT Arrival on February 27,[125] which he lost, but Cesaro showed respect to Zayn after the match, which itself was highly praised by critics and fans.[126] Zayn then feuded withCorey Graves, with Zayn losing to Graves via referee stoppage on the April 3 episode ofNXT after Graves capitalized on Zayn's head injury.[127] On the May 8 episode ofNXT, Zayn participated in a 20-man battle royal for an NXT Championship shot, with Zayn being involved in a triple threat match tie.[128] As a result, Zayn faced the other two winners,Tyler Breeze andTyson Kidd in a triple threat match on the next episode ofNXT, where Kidd won to become number one contender.[129] AtNXT TakeOver on May 29, Zayn lost to Breeze in another number one contender's match.[130]
In June 2014, Zayn went on to feud with Tyson Kidd after Kidd abandoned him during their match againstNXT Tag Team ChampionsThe Ascension.[131] After Zayn defeatedJustin Gabriel,[132] both Kidd and Gabriel attacked Zayn, who was saved by his friend, NXT Champion Adrian Neville.[133] Zayn later defeated Kidd twice to end the feud, once in a singles match on the July 17 episode ofNXT[134] as well in a tag match withAdam Rose against Gabriel and Kidd, which was the first round of a tournament for an opportunity at the NXT Tag Team Championship.[135] Zayn and Rose lost in the second round to theLucha Dragons (Kalisto andSin Cara).[136] When Zayn, Kidd and Tyler Breeze each staked a claim for an NXT Championship match, champion Neville agreed to face all three in a fatal-four-way match at the next NXT TakeOver event.[137] To hype that match, Zayn and Neville appeared on the September 8 episode ofRaw, defeating Breeze and Kidd while making their main roster debuts.[138] AtNXT TakeOver: Fatal 4-Way on September 11, Zayn nearly won the four-way match and the NXT Championship, but champion Neville stopped him by dragging the referee out of the ring as he went on to win and retain his title.[139] This caused tension within Neville and Zayn's friendship.[140][141] After Zayn lost another match, this time toTitus O'Neil, he vowed to start a "road to redemption" leading to the NXT Championship, which saw him defeat Tyson Kidd,[142] Titus O'Neil and Tyler Breeze in singles matches.[143][144] Zayn was rewarded with a title match against Neville on the November 13 episode ofNXT in which Neville appeared to injure himself during the match, but he took advantage on Zayn checking on him to win the match and retain the title.[145] Neville agreed to Zayn's request for a title rematch, with Zayn vowing to quit NXT if he lost.[146]
AtNXT TakeOver: R Evolution on December 11, Zayn defeated Neville to win the NXT Championship, and was congratulated by many other NXT wrestlers afterwards, including Neville andKevin Owens (the former Kevin Steen). The show ended with Owens powerbombing Zayn onto the ring apron to ruin their reunion.[147] Zayn retained the title against Neville in a rematch on the January 14, 2015, episode ofNXT, but suffered another post-match attack by Owens.[148] After an irate Zayn demanded a match against Owens,[149] even if it meant putting the title on the line, a title match was set forNXT TakeOver: Rival.[150] At the event on February 11, Owens captured the title from Zayn via referee stoppage, having powerbombed a disorientated Zayn five times, ending his reign at 62 days.[151]
On the May 4 episode ofRaw, Zayn was introduced byBret Hart asJohn Cena's opponent for his weekly "U.S. Open Challenge" for hisUnited States Championship;[152] taking place in his hometown of Montreal. Zayn was heavily favored by the crowd over Cena, but ultimately lost the match. After the match, Cena let Zayn have the ring to an outstanding ovation from the live crowd following the match.[153] However, Zayn had injured his shoulder before the match and underwent an MRI for further analysis.[154][155] AtNXT TakeOver: Unstoppable on May 20, Zayn's NXT Championship rematch against Kevin Owens ended in a no contest when Zayn was unable to continue the match. Owens continued assaulting Zayn until the debutingSamoa Joe made the save. This was used to write Zayn off television as he was set to undergo shoulder surgery.[156] After a seven-month hiatus due to injury, Zayn returned on the December 23 episode ofNXT (taped at theNXT TakeOver: London event on December 16) and defeatedTye Dillinger.[157] On the March 16 episode ofNXT, Zayn cut a promo addressing his future in NXT untilWilliam Regal came out and gave Zayn a match atNXT TakeOver: Dallas against new signeeShinsuke Nakamura on April 1, where he would be defeated in the latter's debut match. Both men showed respect and embraced each other, and were given a standing ovation following a critically acclaimed match, and while Nakamura left the ring, Zayn was left waving goodbye to the live audience, signaling his final appearance in NXT.[158]
On January 24, 2016, at theRoyal Rumble, Zayn competed in the Rumble match at No. 20, eliminating Kevin Owens before being eliminated byBraun Strowman.[159] On the March 7 episode ofRaw, Zayn made a surprise return to the main roster and attacked Owens, who was attempting to attack Neville after their match.[160] This led to atag team match onSmackDown, in which Zayn and Neville defeated Owens andThe Miz.[161] Zayn continued to score victories against the likes of The Miz andStardust.[162][163][164] AtWrestleMania 32 on April 3, Zayn competed against Owens,Dolph Ziggler,The Miz,Stardust,Sin Cara andZack Ryder in aladder match for theIntercontinental Championship, which was won by Ryder.[165][166] On the April 4 episode ofRaw, Zayn was scheduled to compete in afatal four-way match against Owens,AJ Styles, andChris Jericho to determine the number one contender for theWWE World Heavyweight Championship, but was attacked by Owens, who attacked him with a Powerbomb through a table backstage, and replaced by a returningCesaro.[167] Because of the actions of Owens,Shane McMahon gave Zayn another opportunity on the April 11 episode ofRaw to become a number one contender by having him face Styles, who had won the contender's match the week before, but Zayn lost to Styles.[168] On the April 18 episode ofRaw, McMahon booked Zayn and Owens in a match atPayback on May 1,[169] which Owens won.[170] On the May 9 episode ofRaw, Zayn defeated The Miz to enter a fatal four-way match for the Intercontinental Championship atExtreme Rules on May 22,[171] but Miz retained the title.[172] On the May 23 episode ofRaw, Zayn defeatedSheamus to qualify for theMoney in the Bank ladder match,[173] but at the eponymousevent on June 19, he was unsuccessful as the briefcase was won byDean Ambrose.[174] On July 19 at the2016 WWE Draft, Zayn was drafted to Raw.[175] AtBattleground on July 24, Zayn defeated Owens.[176]
AtSummerSlam on August 21, Zayn andNeville defeatedDudley Boyz on the kickoff show.[177] On the September 12 episode ofRaw, Zayn appeared on Chris Jericho'sHighlight Reel segment, where he was attacked by Jericho,[178] leading to a match atClash of Champions on September 25, which Jericho won.[179] On the October 17 episode ofRaw, Zayn began a feud withBraun Strowman after preventing him from confronting Raw General ManagerMick Foley. On the October 31 episode ofRaw, Zayn participated in a battle royal to qualify for Team Raw atSurvivor Series, but was last eliminated by Strowman.[180] On the November 1 episode ofSmackDown Live, Intercontinental Champion Dolph Ziggler made an open challenge to any wrestler from the Raw brand.[181] The following week, Zayn stated that Mick Foley wanted him to face Ziggler, but CommissionerStephanie McMahon, who preferredRusev, made Zayn face Rusev with the winner going on to face Ziggler for the title; Zayn defeated Rusev to earn the title match.[182] On the November 15 episode ofSmackDown Live,The Miz defeated Ziggler for the championship and Zayn instead faced The Miz for the Intercontinental Championship atSurvivor Series on November 20, which Zayn lost.[183] On the November 21 episode ofRaw, Mick Foley ordered Zayn to compete in a match with Braun Strowman as punishment for failing to bring the Intercontinental Championship to Raw; Strowman attacked Zayn before the match and attacked him until Foley came out to stop the match.[184] On the November 28 episode ofRaw, during Strowman's match, Zayn attacked Strowman, leading to a faceoff between him and Foley.[185] On the December 12 episode ofRaw, after Zayn defeated Jinder Mahal, he refused to be traded to SmackDown and wanted a match with Strowman.[186] The match was made forRoadblock: End of the Line on December 18 with a time limit of 10 minutes, which Zayn won after completing 10 minutes.[187] On the January 2, 2017, episode ofRaw, Zayn lost a Last Man Standing match to Strowman, ending the feud.[188]
On the January 23 episode ofRaw, Zayn defeatedSeth Rollins to win Rollins' opportunity in theRoyal Rumble match after Rollins was distracted byTriple H.[189] At the Royal Rumble on January 29, Zayn entered at No. 8 and lasted over 47 minutes before being eliminated byThe Undertaker.[190] On the January 30 episode ofRaw, Zayn defeated United States Champion Chris Jericho in a non-title match,[191] but failed to win the title the following week.[192] On the February 13 episode ofRaw, Zayn responded to comments made bySamoa Joe during a backstage interview, and was attacked by Joe.[193] AtFastlane on March 5, Zayn lost to Joe.[194] On the March 27 episode ofRaw, Zayn defeated Owens in a no disqualification match to end their feud, saving his job and qualifying for Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal atWrestleMania 33 on April 2,[195] which he failed to win.[196]
On April 11, Zayn was traded toSmackDown as part of theSuperstar Shake-up.[197] The following week onSmackDown Live, Zayn failed to become the number one contender for WWE Championship after losing a six-pack challenge.[198] Zayn defeatedBaron Corbin atBacklash on May 21.[199] Zayn was later announced as one of the participants in theMoney in the Bank ladder match at theMoney in the Bank pay-per-view on June 18 along with AJ Styles, Corbin, Dolph Ziggler, Kevin Owens andShinsuke Nakamura,[200] in which he was unsuccessful in winning.[201] Zayn was then involved in a brief feud withMike Kanellis, whom he lost to in the latter's debut match on the July 18 episode ofSmackDown.[202] A rematch between the two was set forBattleground on July 23[203] which Zayn won.[204]
AtHell in a Cell on October 8, Zayn helped Kevin Owens defeat Shane McMahon in a Hell in a Cell match, turningheel for the first time in his career.[205] On the October 10 episode ofSmackDown Live, Zayn referred to Owens as his "brother" and explained that his actions were due to McMahon not giving Zayn opportunities despite SmackDown being dubbed the "Land of Opportunity".[206] On the October 24 episode ofSmackDown Live, Zayn lost toRandy Orton, failing to acquire a spot on Team SmackDown to face Team Raw atSurvivor Series.[207] At the Survivor Series kick-off show on November 19, Zayn and Owens defeated Breezango (Tyler Breeze andFandango).[208] Later that night, Owens and Zayn interfered in the main event and attacked Shane, which backfired after Shane attacked both with a steel chair and Orton delivered anRKO to Owens.[209] Owens and Zayn defeated Orton andShinsuke Nakamura in a tag team match atClash of Champions on December 17 with SmackDown Commissioner Shane McMahon and SmackDown General ManagerDaniel Bryan as special guest referees and their jobs on the line after a fast count by Bryan.[210] Zayn and Owens then both scored non-title victories over WWE Champion AJ Styles on respective episodes ofSmackDown Live,[211] thus earning a title opportunity against Styles in a handicap match at theRoyal Rumble on January 28, where they failed to win the title.[212] Zayn later stole Tye Dillinger's #10 spot at the Royal Rumble match but was eliminated by eventual winner Shinsuke Nakamura.[213]
Zayn walked out on Owens during a tag team match against Styles and Nakamura two nights later onSmackDown.[214] Zayn faced Owens on the February 6 episode ofSmackDown Live to determine who would face Styles for the WWE Championship atFastlane, which ended in a double disqualification after Styles, who was on commentary, attacked Zayn and Owens, leading to SmackDown General Manager Daniel Bryan scheduling a triple threat match for the WWE Championship involving both Owens and Zayn.[215] Zayn then said he would lay down for Owens, only for Zayn to pin Owens in a fatal five-way match.[216] At Fastlane on March 11, Styles retained the WWE Championship in the six-pack challenge.[217] On the March 20 episode ofSmackDown, Zayn and Owens were (kayfabe) fired by Bryan as punishment for an attack against McMahon the week prior.[218] AtWrestleMania 34 on April 8, Owens and Zayn lost to Bryan and McMahon, and would have been rehired to SmackDown if they won.[219] On the followingRaw, as free agents, they asked Raw General ManagerKurt Angle for a job. Though reluctant, Angle made a match between the two with the winner earning a Raw contract, which ended in a no contest, leaving them both as free agents.[220] On the April 16 episode ofRaw, Zayn and Owens were awarded Raw contracts byRaw CommissionerStephanie McMahon.[221] AtBacklash on May 6, Zayn and Owens facedBobby Lashley and Braun Strowman in a losing effort.[222] AtMoney in the Bank on June 17, Zayn lost to Lashley.[223] After the event, it was reported that Zayn had surgery to repair both of his rotator cuffs.[224] He was later reported to have undergone a successful double shoulder surgery.[225]
After ten months of inactivity due to injury, Zayn returned on the April 8, 2019, episode ofRaw, losing to Intercontinental Champion Finn Bálor.[226] The following week, Zayn defeated Strowman with the help of Baron Corbin andDrew McIntyre, earning Strowman's spot in the Money in the Bank ladder match.[227] AtMoney in the Bank on May 19, Zayn was attacked backstage and left unable to compete by what was believed to be Braun Strowman, however it was later revealed to beBrock Lesnar, who took Zayn's place in the match.[228] After the event, Zayn began teaming with Owens again,[229] and they defeatedThe New Day (Big E andXavier Woods) atStomping Grounds on June 23.[230] However, the team of Zayn and Owens drifted apart again after Owens turned face and reignited his feud with Shane McMahon.[231] After their team disbanded, Zayn lost toRey Mysterio twice, first atRaw Reunion, and second in the gauntlet match the following week. Zayn then competed in theKing of the Ring tournament, but lost in the first round toCedric Alexander.[232]
On the August 20 episode ofSmackDown Live, Zayn joined forces withIntercontinental ChampionShinsuke Nakamura after attackingThe Miz.[233] Zayn was positioned as Nakamura'smouthpiece.[234] AtClash of Champions on September 15, he helped Nakamura retain his title.[235] As part of the2019 draft, Zayn was drafted to the SmackDown brand.[236] Following the draft, he would also become the manager ofCesaro.[237] AtSurvivor Series on November 24, Zayn accompanied Nakamura in a non-title match against United States Champion AJ Styles andNXT North American ChampionRoderick Strong, which was won by Strong.[238] On the January 31, 2020, episode ofSmackDown, Nakamura lost the title to Braun Strowman, despite interferences from Zayn and Cesaro.[239]
AtElimination Chamber on March 8, Zayn, Nakamura, and Cesaro defeated Braun Strowman in a 3-on-1 handicap match to win the Intercontinental Championship; Zayn won the title by pinning Strowman.[240] On the March 13 episode ofSmackDown, Zayn began a feud with Daniel Bryan, during which Bryan andDrew Gulak faced Zayn's Artist Collective partners Shinsuke Nakamura and Cesaro in various matches.[241] On the first night ofWrestleMania 36 on April 4, Zayn defeated Bryan to retain the title.[242] On May 12, he was stripped of the championship after refraining from competing during theCOVID-19 pandemic, ending his reign at 65 days.[243] On the August 28 episode ofSmackDown, Zayn attacked Intercontinental ChampionJeff Hardy and declared himself the "real" Intercontinental Champion, eventually reuniting with Cesaro and Nakamura backstage; however, Cesaro dismissed him from the locker room so that he and Nakamura could have some discussion by themselves.[244]
AtClash of Champions on September 27, Zayn defeated Hardy andAJ Styles in a triple threat ladder match to reclaim the Intercontinental Championship by handcuffing both with the ladders.[245] On the October 2 episode ofSmackDown, Zayn defeated Hardy to retain the title.[246] On the November 13 episode ofSmackDown, Zayn retained the title againstApollo Crews by countout.[247] AtSurvivor Series on November 22, Zayn lost to United States ChampionBobby Lashley in a champion vs. champion match.[248] On the December 25 episode ofSmackDown, he lost the Intercontinental Championship toBig E, ending his second reign at 89 days.[249]
AtRoyal Rumble on January 31, 2021, Zayn entered at No. 3 but was eliminated by Big E.[250] On the February 12 episode ofSmackDown, Zayn teamed withKing Corbin and defeatedMysterios (Rey Mysterio andDominik Mysterio) to qualify for the Elimination Chamber match at thenamesake event.[251] At the event on February 21, Zayn was the second man eliminated by Kevin Owens.[252] His gimmick would be tweaked into a deranged conspiracy theorist who believed that WWE bosses were holding him down, and he soon reignited his feud with Owens. Zayn lost to Owens on the second night ofWrestleMania 37 on April 11[253] but defeated him in a rematch atHell in a Cell on June 20.[254] On the July 2 episode ofSmackDown, Zayn failed to qualify for the men'sMoney in the Bank ladder match at thenamesake event after losing to Owens in aLast Man Standing match, ending their rivalry.[255]
In October, Zayn entered theKing of the Ring tournament, where he defeated Rey Mysterio in the first round[256] but lost to Finn Bálor in the semi-finals.[257] On November 6, Zayn was announced as a part of Team SmackDown atSurvivor Series,[258] however, on the November 12 episode ofSmackDown, Zayn faced Jeff Hardy in a match with the stipulation that whoever lost was removed from the SmackDownSurvivor Series team, which Zayn lost, thus removing him.[259] On the November 26 episode ofSmackDown, Zayn would compete in a battle royal to determine the number one contender for theUniversal Championship, last eliminating Jeff Hardy to win the match.[260] On the December 3 episode ofSmackDown, Zayn would face the championRoman Reigns for the title, but lost in 15 seconds due toBrock Lesnar attacking him before the match.[261] On the December 24 episode ofSmackDown, Zayn won a 12-mangauntlet match to become the number one contender for the Intercontinental Championship.[262]
On the January 7, 2022, episode ofSmackDown, Zayn entered a feud withJohnny Knoxville after Knoxville announced he would be entering theRoyal Rumble match.[263] AtRoyal Rumble on January 29, Zayn entered at No. 8, eliminating Knoxville before he was eliminated byAJ Styles.[264] On the February 18 (taped February 11)[265] episode ofSmackDown, Zayn defeatedShinsuke Nakamura to win the Intercontinental Championship for the third time in his career.[266] On the March 4 episode ofSmackDown, Zayn lost the title toRicochet after interference from Knoxville, ending his reign at 21 days (recognized by WWE as 13 days).[267] Zayn then challenged Knoxville to a match atWrestleMania 38 which was made official shortly after.[268] The following week, Zayn failed to regain the Intercontinental Championship from Ricochet in a rematch.[269] On the March 18 episode ofSmackDown, Zayn added an Anything Goes stipulation to their match,[270] and Knoxville accepted the challenge afterwards.[271] On the second night of WrestleMania 38 on April 3, Zayn lost to Knoxville after the latter'sJackass co-actors interfered in the match.[272]
The Bloodline; reunion with Kevin Owens (2022–2023)
Having felt as he had lost respect and credibility in the locker room, starting on the April 22 episode ofSmackDown, Zayn sought to seek favor withThe Bloodline, the stable that was led byRoman Reigns.[273] On the May 27 episode ofSmackDown, after helping the group on a couple of occasions, Zayn was deemed an "Honorary Uce" and became an associate of the group.[274] On the June 24 episode ofSmackDown, Zayn defeated Shinsuke Nakamura to qualify for theMoney in the Bank ladder match.[275] At theeponymous event on July 2, Zayn failed to win as the match was won byTheory.[276] On the August 19 episode ofSmackDown, he competed in afatal five-way match to determine the number one contender for the Intercontinental Championship, which was won bySheamus.[277]
In the following weeks, the tensions between Zayn andJey Uso, another member of The Bloodline, escalated as Jey did not trust Zayn, and they constantly argued.[278] On the September 23 episode ofSmackDown, Reigns declared Zayn an official "Honorary Uce".[279] AtSurvivor Series: WarGames, Zayn, along with The Bloodline, defeated the team ofDrew McIntyre, Kevin Owens, andThe Brawling Brutes (Sheamus,Butch, andRidge Holland) in aWarGames match.[280] After the match, due to Zayn showing his loyalty to the stable by delivering a low blow to Owens, Jey finally accepted Zayn as part of The Bloodline and the stable celebrated.[281] In January 2023, Zayn would be in a conflict with The Bloodline, which led to a Tribal Court for Zayn atRaw is XXX, but would be found "not guilty, for now" in regard to betraying The Bloodline.[282]
At theRoyal Rumble, Reigns proceeded to have the rest of The Bloodline beat Owens down following the match, but Zayn refused to join the beatdown and eventually hit Reigns with a chair, leading to the entire Bloodline (excluding Jey) attacking Zayn, turningface for the first time since 2017.[283][284] On the February 3, 2023, episode ofSmackDown, Zayn attacked Reigns and challenged him to a match for theUndisputed WWE Universal Championship, which Reigns accepted.[285] AtElimination Chamber on February 18, Zayn failed to win the titles from Reigns in a universally acclaimed match in front of his home crowd inMontreal. After the match, Owens saved Zayn from a beatdown from Reigns and Jimmy.[286][287] On the following episode ofRaw, Zayn offered an olive branch to Owens and proposed that they team up to bring down The Bloodline together, but Owens rejected it.[288]
Jey remained unbiased until the March 6 episode ofRaw, where he hit Zayn with a superkick, then proceeding to beat him along with Jimmy andSolo Sikoa.[289][290] On the March 17 episode ofSmackDown,Cody Rhodes invited Zayn and Owens to hash it out so that they can reunite to fight against The Bloodline, but Owens again declined to team up with Zayn. Later that night, Zayn confronted Jey in the ring and was beaten up by The Usos, and Owens ran out to save Zayn and embraced him.[291] At the main event ofWrestleMania 39 night one, Zayn and Owens defeated The Usos to win theUndisputed WWE Tag Team Championship (consisting of both theRaw andSmackDown Tag Team Championships). This match also marked the first time a tag team match main evented WrestleMania since its inaugural show, as well as the first time the tag team titles headlined the event. The critically acclaimed match wasrated five stars byDave Meltzer and became the eighth main roster WWE match to receive five stars, making it the first five star match in Zayn's career.[292][293][294] On the April 28 episode ofSmackDown, Zayn and Owens retained their Undisputed Tag Team Championship in a rematch against The Usos.[295]
As part of the2023 WWE Draft, Zayn, along with Owens, was drafted to theRawbrand.[296] AtNight of Champions, Zayn and Owens retained their Undisputed Tag Team Championship against The Bloodline's Roman Reigns and Solo Sikoa.[297] Zayn and Owens then retained the titles againstImperium'sGiovanni Vinci andLudwig Kaiser,Pretty Deadly, andThe Judgment Day'sDamian Priest andDominik Mysterio in several matches onRaw andSmackDown, but they lost the titles to The Judgment Day's Damian Priest andFinn Bálor in a Pittsburgh Steel CityStreet Fight atPayback after interference from fellow Judgment Day members, ending their reign at 154 days.[298] They were unsuccessful in a rematch for the titles on the September 25 episode ofRaw.[299] Also at Payback, Cody Rhodes got Jey Uso—who was on SmackDown and had quit WWE shortly before Payback—reinstated as a member of Raw and it was revealed that someone was traded to SmackDown for Jey. The following month on the October 13 episode ofSmackDown, new SmackDown General ManagerNick Aldis revealed that Kevin Owens had been traded to SmackDown for Jey, in turn splitting Owens and Zayn.[300][301]
After Kevin Owens moved to SmackDown, Zayn declared on the October 16 episode ofRaw that he will show the world what he can do on his own, until he was interrupted byThe Judgment Day, but was able to fend them off alongsideJey Uso, starting a feud with the stable in the process.[302] Zayn had his first match since splitting from Kevin Owens on the October 23 episode ofRaw againstDrew McIntyre in a losing effort after some outside interference fromRhea Ripley.[303] On the October 30 episode ofRaw, as Ripley, "Dirty" Dominik Mysterio, andJD McDonagh were in the ring, Zayn interrupted them, and stated that despite being alone, he would continue to fight The Judgment Day until the group ended. Following that, Judgment Day attempted to attack Zayn, however, Zayn escaped. Later that night, a match between McDonagh and Zayn was announced for theCrown Jewel Kickoff show, and Zayn took onDamian Priest in the show's main event where he lost via disqualification after Jey Uso took out Priest while fending off the other members of The Judgment Day.[304] At the Crown Jewel Kickoff Show, Zayn would defeat McDonagh. AtSurvivor Series: WarGames, Zayn teamed up with Jey Uso,Cody Rhodes,Seth "Freakin" Rollins, and the returningRandy Orton in aWarGames match against The Judgment Day's Damian Priest, JD McDonagh, "Dirty" Dominik Mysterio andFinn Bálor, and Drew McIntyre, where Zayn's team would emerge victorious.[305] In the2024 Royal Rumble, Zayn entered at number #30 and eliminated Priest before being eliminated byDrew McIntyre.[306]
On the March 11 episode ofRaw, Zayn won agauntlet match to earn anIntercontinental Championship match againstGunther atWrestleMania XL.[307] On Night 1 of WrestleMania XL, Zayn defeated Gunther to win the Intercontinental Championship for the fourth time, ending Gunther's record-setting title reign at 666 days and giving him his first pinfall loss on the main roster.[308] Zayn then gaveChad Gable a title shot on the April 15 episode ofRaw as a token of gratitude for assisting him in defeating Gunther, where Zayn successfully defended the title. As he was celebrating with his wife at ringside after the match, Gable would attack him in front of his wife.[309] On the April 29 episode ofRaw, Zayn defended his title againstBronson Reed, which he won by disqualification after Gable attacked him. One week later, Zayn attacked Gable during his match with Reed, causing another disqualification. Later that night, Zayn announced that he would defend his title against Gable and Reed in a triple threat match atKing and Queen of the Ring, where Zayn retained his title after pinning Reed.[310] AtClash at the Castle: Scotland, Zayn defeated Gable to retain the title, ending their feud.[311] AtMoney in the Bank, Zayn successfully retained the title againstBron Breakker.[312] On the July 15 episode ofRaw, Zayn defended his title againstIlja Dragunov, but the match ended in a no contest after Breakker attacked both Dragunov and Zayn. AtSummerSlam on August 3, Zayn lost the title to Breakker, ending his fourth reign at 119 days.[313] On the August 12 episode of Raw, Zayn failed to regain the title from Breakker in atwo out of three falls match ending their feud.[314]
Shortly after, Zayn reignited his feud with Gunther in pursuit of theWorld Heavyweight Championship, with the latter declining Zayn's offer twice: the first time after Zayn asked Gunther for a title match during an in-ring segment, the second time after Zayn defeated Gunther's allyLudwig Kaiser on the September 23 episode ofRaw. On the September 30 episode ofRaw, Zayn was finally granted a World Heavyweight Championship match against Gunther onRaw the following week after Zayn brought up the aftermath of theirIntercontinental Championship match atWrestleMania XL.[315] On the October 7 episode ofRaw, Zayn would lose the title match to Gunther by technical submission, after passing out to therear-naked choke.[316]
AtCrown Jewel, Zayn came to the aid of his former Bloodline stablematesRoman Reigns andThe Usos, after they were defeated by the current iteration of The Bloodline, now led by Solo Sikoa and also consists ofTama Tonga,Tonga Loa andJacob Fatu, at the event. As the Reigns-led Bloodline encircled Sikoa, Zayn accidentally kicked Reigns in the face and Sikoa retreated from the ring.[317] On the November 8 episode ofSmackDown, Zayn agreed to team with Reigns and The Usos against The Bloodline, but only if Reigns apologized to Jey for his treatment of him during their tenure in The Bloodline, which Reigns refused. At the end of the show, Zayn saved Reigns and The Usos from another attack from The Bloodline. The four wrestlers then threw up the ones, a pose made famous during their time as The Bloodline. AtSurvivor Series: WarGames on November 30, Zayn, Jey, Jimmy, Reigns andCM Punk defeated The Bloodline and Bronson Reed in aWarGames match.[318] On the December 2 episode ofRaw, Zayn challengedSeth "Freakin" Rollins to a match after accusing the latter of attacking Jey Uso backstage, during which Zayn and Jey interacted with CM Punk (the latter of whom Rollins has a legitimate long-time animosity towards) prior to the attack. He would go on to lose the match, and would subsequently be attacked by a returningDrew McIntyre.[319] On the following week's episode ofRaw, after McIntyre revealed himself as the one who attacked Jey Uso backstage, Zayn confronted Rollins in the ring and apologized for falsely accusing him of attacking Jey, and subsequently challenged McIntyre to a match atSaturday Night's Main Event,[320] which he would lose.[321] On the January 13 episode ofRaw, Zayn faced off againstThe Miz after a backstage confrontation with Miz andKarrion Kross, where Zayn emerged victorious.[322]In the2025 Royal Rumble, Zayn entered at number #27 and was eliminated by eventual winner Jey Uso. On the February 3 episode ofRaw, after Zayn's failed attempt to qualify to theElimination Chamber match againstCM Punk,Kevin Owens came to the ring and ambushed Zayn after the match, subsequently delivering apackage piledriver on to Zayn to end the show, reigniting a feud between the two once again.[323] AtElimination Chamber: Toronto, he lost to Owens in a5-star ratedunsanctioned match.[324]
Sebei is married to Khadijah and has a son also named Rami.[331][332] He is avegan,[333] and is fluent in English, Arabic, and French.[328][334] Sebei is close friends with fellow professional wrestlerKevin Steen, better known in WWE as Kevin Owens, with whom he hasteamed up and feuded with throughout his career.[335]
^Meltzer, Dave (February 2023). "February 2023 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Results of the 2022 Wrestling Observer Newsletter Awards".Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
.png)
.jpg)
