Sami Zayn is making a notable WWE RAW comeback with a highly anticipated match against Rusev, marking their first singles encounter in eight years. The bout will take place during Monday Night RAW at the Videotron Centre in Quebec City, Canada, bringing the Canadian star back to his home turf for a significant showdown.
In recent months, Zayn has been active on RAW, including a victory over Karrion Kross at SummerSlam and a win against United States Champion Solo Sikoa on SmackDown. This upcoming match revives a rivalry last seen on the February 13, 2017, episode of Monday Night RAW, where Zayn previously secured a win against Rusev.
Additional Matches Scheduled for Monday Night RAW Event
Besides the Zayn-Rusev matchup, Monday Night RAW will also feature several high-profile matches. Maxxine Dupri is set to face Women’s Intercontinental Champion Becky Lynch, while Naomi will challenge IYO SKY for the Women’s World Championship. The show will open with CM Punk kicking off the action, promising a loaded card for fans attending in Quebec City.
Analysis of Sami Zayn’s Career Since Leaving The Bloodline
During a recent interview on The Tony Rose Morning Show, Karrion Kross commented on Sami Zayn’s solo career and questioned his success since departing from The Bloodline faction. Kross suggested that Zayn’s previous achievements were heavily reliant on his association with Roman Reigns and The Bloodline. This group included key figures such as Roman Reigns, The Usos, Paul Heyman, and Solo Sikoa, with whom Zayn sought to align during his 2022 storyline.
“That’s right, he’s got to say that Kross told the truth, which everybody already knows anyway. I wouldn’t agree with you that his rise was organic, I mean, he was piggybacking off Roman Reigns to get to where he’s been and ever since he hasn’t been able to piggyback off Roman Reigns, he hasn’t found the same success he did. Let’s just tell the truth here, you’re being nice. You’re trying to be unbiased. Let’s tell the truth, he’s a manipulator and a liar.” —Karrion Kross, WWE Wrestler
Zayn parted ways with The Bloodline in 2023 after siding with Kevin Owens, which marked a turning point in his career trajectory. Since then, he has been working to establish his presence independently, though opinions remain divided on his level of individual success.
What This WWE RAW Appearance Means for Sami Zayn’s Future
Returning to his home country for a high-profile singles match against Rusev highlights Sami Zayn’s continued relevance in WWE’s programming and the ongoing narrative arcs involving his character. This Quebec City event provides Zayn an opportunity to rekindle past rivalries and solidify his standing among fans in Canada. The outcome of this encounter and accompanying matches will shape storylines moving forward on WWE RAW, making it a key show to watch in the weeks ahead.
