6 Ups & 4 Downs From WWE WrestleMania 40 - Night 1 (Results & Review)

2. Sami Finishes His Story

WWE has spent the past year subverting fans’ beliefs and hopes that someone would topple Gunther that many likely wouldn’t believe it was happening even as the pinfall was being counted.

That’s exactly what happened Saturday when Sami Zayn finally was the one to dethrone Gunther, ending his record 666-day reign as Intercontinental Champion. Sami’s journey took him down the road of despair, all the way to the bottom, where he dug himself out, only to be kicked again. He needed another lost soul in Chad Gable to help him find that fire, setting the stage for WrestleMania 40.

Really, there is no one like Zayn, who just finds a way to make you believe in him and feel what he’s experiencing. His backstage heart-to-heart with his wife and son gave you hope. Then Gable gave a pep talk. And then lifelong best friend and former tag partner Kevin Owens hugged him seconds before walking through the curtain. All the while, Sami was pumping himself up on the long walk to the ring.

And then there was the match itself, which was an incredible piece of storytelling, as Gunther dominated as he has so many times, but Sami kept fighting back. The Ring General, nearly two years into an unbeatable reign, had grown cocky and smug, and that ultimately cost him, as Zayn fired up one last time to overcome the torture and put Gunther down.

Easily the match of the night, this was all the drama and feel-good moments you want out of a professional wrestling show, wrapped up with one human being who is just so easy to like and support.