11 Times WWE Was Better Than Literally EVERYTHING
10. The Beginning Of The Beginning Of The End For The Bloodline
Sami Zayn's first night on screen with Roman Reigns in 2022 came when Vince McMahon was still in charge of the company, when Reigns himself felt drab and rudderless, and when Zayn was the millionth iteration of the heel character looking for support behind a feckless conspiracy campaign destined to go nowhere.
By the time the two finally parted at the gripping climax of the Royal Rumble 2023 showdown between 'The Tribal Chief' and Kevin Owens, everything had changed. With McMahon gone and Triple H (and associates) at the wheel, The Bloodline gained immense texture thanks to Zayn's involvement and the gradual bonds he built along the way.
From a hate-to-love trajectory with Jey Uso that made the future World Heavyweight Champion realise just how trapped under Reigns' thumb he was, to the hilarious warmth unlocked from within Solo Sikoa and personalised high fives with carefree bestie Jimmy Uso, Zayn had shown love and loyalty to the group at the expense of his longstanding union with Owens. All until he no longer could, anyway. Following a brutal beating laid down on 'KO' to make a point that Roman's fragile empire still had strength, Zayn snapped, bravely walloping Reigns with a chair to the shock and confusion of The Usos. Jimmy acted on instinct, decking Sami in scared support of his leader, but Jey was empowered enough to concientiously object, generating the umpteenth enormous pop from the scene ahead of setting up the Tag Team Title Night One main event for WrestleMania 39.