Sami Zayn has earned widespread acclaim as one of WWE’s top babyfaces in recent years, but Vince Russo, a former writer for the company, believes Zayn’s style would not have succeeded during wrestling’s Attitude Era. Russo opined that a wrestler like Zayn would have struggled to find relevance in that more intense period of WWE history.
Known as a classic underdog figure, Zayn rose from independent circuits to WWE’s main roster, where he gained popularity through his Honorary Uce persona and a prolonged feud against The Bloodline on Friday Night SmackDown. Despite this, Russo dismissed Zayn’s potential in the past WWE environment, stating plainly on his show Vince Russo’s The Brand,
“He’d probably be cleaning the bathroom, bro.”
Russo Threatens to Stop Watching WWE If Zayn Becomes World Champion
Sami Zayn has expressed his ambition to hold a world championship in WWE, coming close several times in 2023 though never capturing the title. While Zayn has yet to claim either version of WWE’s top championship, Vince Russo has openly criticized the possibility of such a push.
On social media platform X, Russo declared he would stop watching WWE programming if Triple H grants Zayn the world title anytime before 2026. The 64-year-old veteran also criticized WWE’s handling of other talents like Karrion Kross and Scarlett, suggesting they should leave WWE to achieve stardom elsewhere.
“If @TripleH puts the WWE World Title on His Favorite Wrestler—Sami Zayn—PRIOR to that Date—I will cease all @WWE Show Viewing Immediately. Don’t think that’s going to happen? Mark My Words,” Russo tweeted on X. —Vince Russo
Upcoming Opportunity for Zayn to Win the United States Championship
Although the main world title remains out of reach, Sami Zayn currently has a chance to capture the United States Championship. He is scheduled to challenge Solo Sikoa on the next episode of Friday Night SmackDown, which could further elevate his standing if successful.
Meanwhile, Russo’s outspoken opinions highlight ongoing debates about creative direction within WWE, especially concerning which wrestlers receive pushes and how they align with different eras’ expectations. Zayn’s journey continues to captivate fans, even if critics like Russo remain skeptical.
