Sami Zayn found himself integral to a shocking moment with Roman Reigns at the 2023 Royal Rumble.
In the show’s main event, Roman Reigns successfully defended his Undisputed WWE Universal Championship against challenger Kevin Owens. However, it was not the match that got people talking, but rather the post-match.
Once the match concluded, Reigns ordered Sami Zayn to hit on-again, off-again friend Kevin Owens with a steel chair. Zayn was reluctant to do so, and following much deliberation, decided to swing the chair into Roman Reigns’ back instead, betraying his “Tribal Chief.”
It was a moment which shocked wrestling fans all over the world, and social media has been abuzz in the fallout of this angle.
Social Media Reacts To Sami Zayn’s Shocking Roman Reigns Betrayal
Alex McCarthy from MailOnline Sports took to Twitter to express his thoughts on the angle, noting that the sequence of events caused him to go back on a long-held belief.
“I’ve said all along that WWE really have to make someone with who dethrones Roman Reigns. That’s your next top tier guy.”
“Don’t listen to me. I’m stupid. Sami is the guy – it’s Sami Zayn! A magical story beats all.”
After watching the events unfold, Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter gave his thoughts on the closing segment before summarising the happenings.
“Super show finish. They destroyed Kevin, Sami hit Reigns with a chair and got destroyed and Jey Uso walked out on the other Bloodline members.”
Former multiple-time Tag Team Champion Bully Ray was more to the point with his comments on the situation, getting his feelings across succinctly.
“FUCKING SUPERB STORYTELLING!!!!!!
#royalrumble”
Award-Winning Sportscaster Jon Alba also communicated his take on Sami Zayn’s betrayal of Roman Reigns.
“Wrestling is about creating moments that connect with audiences. The Sami Zayn #RoyalRumble moment delivered huge for that reason.”
“There is a very real possibility we’re watching the greatest story #WWE has ever told unfold in The Bloodline program.”
Sami Zayn is clearly the talk of the wrestling world at the moment following the events of the Royal Rumble. Before the Premium Live Event took place, he responded to the possibility of fans reacting negatively if he did not win the Royal Rumble match.