8 WWE Booking Steps For Sami Zayn's Heel Run
Charting an underdog's journey through villainy.
WWE Hell in a Cell 2017 was always likely to close with Shane McMahon taking a death-defying leap of faith, but few fans could've predicted what actually transpired.
The SmackDown Commissioner did dive, but his elbow drop connected with the announce table, not Kevin Owens. Sami Zayn appeared at ringside seconds prior to the fall. He dragged his eternal rival through the table, Shane crashed through it, then Sami draped KO over his lifeless foe for the 1-2-3.
We'll likely learn more on this week's SmackDown, but it looks very much like a Sami Zayn heel turn. This is interesting, as 'The Underdog From The Underground' is a natural in his role as WWE's most resilient good guy, and has never been anything other than an immensely popular babyface since signing in 2013. His career has unquestionably stagnated since overcoming Owens at Battleground 2016, however, and he desperately needed a moment like this to get back on track.
Have WWE made the right decision? We'll see, but they've certainly succeeded in shaking things up on Tuesday nights. Let's take a look at how the next few months may pan out for Evil Sami.
8. Cementing The Turn
The way WWE executed Zayn's heel turn necessitates exposition. He's the most natural babyface in the company, and somebody who's been on the right side of morality since signing in 2013. It's not enough for the company to say, "hey, he's a bad guy now," and leave it at that. WWE must leap on these complex emotions, emphasise the former NXT Champion's inner turmoil, and start by suggesting that even Sami himself isn't entirely sure of what he did at Hell In A Cell.
Kevin Owens should come out and cut an insufferable gloating promo on this week's SmackDown. With Shane written off to sell his injuries, Daniel Bryan should interrupt, lambasting KO for his actions, before a silent Zayn appears, clad in his black hoodie once more.
Bryan can't take a bump, but threatening to hurt the GM should draw monster heat, given his injury problems. Next week, Daniel books Sami against Tye Dillinger (the brand's second most natural face) as "punishment." Zayn wins quickly, but KO, ever the sociopath, isn't satisfied. He hands Sami a steel chair and orders his former rival to destroy 'The Perfect 10'. The conflicted Zayn eventually does the deed, even if he still doesn't look entirely comfortable.
The crowd shower the duo with jeers. The turn is cemented.