10 HUGE Problems With WWE's Raw Vs SmackDown Survivor Series Concept
6. And Then There Were Two
Sami Zayn was the lone voice of logic just hours removed from SmackDown's blue ruin of Raw. 'I fight for what's right, I don't fight for tyrants', he tweeted, astutely observing that his pr*ck boss had only really steered a campaign of unprovoked terror.
It was an inspired character moment for the revitalised 'Underdog From The Underground'. Why would Zayn support such actions if he's as sanctimonious as he now claims to be? Why would he fight for a man he helped destroy a fortnight ago? Why would he support SmackDown Live! full stop after pointedly describing the falsehoods of 'opportunity' on Tuesday Night. In this entire attack, Sami was the only character in real life or storyline to actually ask the questions that really mattered.
Then, WWE television steamrolled over the subtlety and had him fight to be on the team.
Yes, the involvement of Zayn and Owens was tacitly for selfish gains (which in itself carries more weight than the 'BECAUSE WE'RE ON SMACKDOWN DAMMIT, RAWSMASH' logic of their colleagues), but having them engage at all rather than turning on blind brand loyalty undoes much of what makes them unique.
Daniel Bryan is the last man standing. Smartly kept in the dark about the first gang attack, he gets to remain the sole rational voice in this entire mess. But it won't help the audience - we're stuck with this.