15 Things We Learned From Kevin Owens On Talk Is Jericho
4. Sami Zayn
Jericho says one of his favorite dynamics both in and out of the ring is the chemistry between Owens and his real life close friend and kayfabe arch-nemesis Sami Zayn. Chris says that Sami is one of the quirkiest people he knows and drives you nuts until you realize it's part of his genius. Owens laughs and says he's not sure if it's genius, but for years he's watched Zayn go from company to company and piss everyone off just by being himself and then eventually win them all over without changing anything about whatsoever.
They talk about how Sami is very meticulous and thoroughly analyzes everything he does in the ring. They've wrestled each other for around 13 years, and while he admits they've had some stinkers, many of the bouts between the two that are considered some of their greatest ended up that way because of the thought that Zayn puts into them.
Kevin says a lot of guys probably aren't used to that and get annoyed with it. He recalls that around the time of WrestleMania 32 some people were starting to get annoyed with him because they viewed him as the new guy who would question everything. "But you know what? He's not a new guy. He's been doing this for 15 years and he's better than you."
He clarifies that he's not talking about anyone specifically but that Sami is one of the absolute best workers he's ever been in the ring with, and that he has the amazing gift of being able to read crowds even before he gets into the arena. He says that's part of how he wins people over; while they may get irritated with his constant questioning of things they soon learn what a high wrestling IQ he has.