10 Most Drastic Differences Between Wrestlers In And Out Of WWE

5. Sami Zayn

Ricochet King To Commoner
WWE.com

Outside of WWE:

An outrageously good but very, very Indy performer, El Generico really was crazy talented, and the mask and the act betrayed his stunning range. He was the jaw-dropping, innovative workhorse with the mind-blowing finish, yes, but he was also great at conveying his character entirely with his body which, while not ideal for the broad tones of TV wrestling was genuinely affecting in his layered, epic saga with Kevin Steen.

In WWE:

Sami Zayn is a strange one because his babyface appeal is obvious - he oversees medical emergency help in Syria and is an electrifying in-ring talent - but you can also see why WWE perceives him as an irritant, if that grating promo cadence of his is even remotely similar to the voice on the other side of Vince McMahon's office door. Ultimately, as entertaining as Sami Zayn is as a heel, it's the goddamn principle of the thing. If you have a guy playing babyface that well, book him as a babyface. You need babyfaces. You are f*cking sh*t at booking babyfaces.

You would turn Bruce Springsteen heel, you jackasses!

In this post: 
Ricochet
 
Posted On: 
Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!