Brock Lesnar made a striking return to WWE SmackDown this week as he appeared looking for John Cena, only to be interrupted by R-Truth, who humorously dubbed himself “Ron Cena.” Shortly after, Lesnar overwhelming R-Truth with his signature move, the F5. This moment set the stage for further developments involving Lesnar and other WWE stars.
Vince Russo Suggests Sami Zayn Should Have Entered the Fray
Veteran WWE writer Vince Russo expressed on the BroDown podcast that Sami Zayn, the WWE United States Champion, should have been featured right after Lesnar’s attack on R-Truth. Russo pointed out that Lesnar had attacked Zayn the previous week, so bringing Sami out following the segment with R-Truth would have created a stronger storyline payoff.
“He should have went out there after he [Brock] F5’d Ron Killings. Here’s what you could have done here. You could have had him light up Brock, and then you could have had Brock turn it around, hit him with an F5, maybe hit him with two F5s. Then you’ve got a heel come out and say, ‘Hey, Sami, you know that open US challenge. I’ll take you up on it.'” —Vince Russo, WWE Writer
Russo Critiques WWE’s Handling of Sami Zayn’s Character Development
Russo emphasized that missing the opportunity to showcase Sami Zayn’s reaction to Lesnar’s attack weakened the champion’s portrayal. Without acknowledging the F5 from Lesnar on SmackDown, Sami’s character appeared less impactful, undercutting the tension that should have been built around his title defenses.
“Now Sami is fighting from underneath. He took two F5s. We think Sami’s going to lose the title. Now the baby face overcomes all odds and beats the dude. That’s how you do it. You don’t have a guy that you’re building get F5 by Brock Lesnar and not even mention it.” —Vince Russo, WWE Writer
Sami Zayn’s Open Challenge and Title Defense Against Rey Fenix
In keeping with his recent approach, Sami Zayn launched an open challenge for the WWE United States Championship, echoing a tradition made famous by John Cena. This week, Rey Fenix answered that challenge, ultimately falling short in his attempt, allowing Zayn to retain his title. The segment reinforced Sami’s championship run but missed a chance to deepen the storyline involving Lesnar’s dominant presence.
Implications for WWE Storylines Moving Forward
This missed opportunity to combine Brock Lesnar’s raw power with Sami Zayn’s rising championship profile leaves fans questioning WWE’s booking decisions. Incorporating Sami’s response to Lesnar’s attacks as Russo suggested could have intensified rivalries and elevated the stakes on SmackDown, creating a more dramatic arc for the United States Championship. Future episodes may reveal whether WWE adjusts its narrative to capitalize on these tensions.
