Is Sami Zayn becoming the Roman Reigns of WWE SmackDown?

WWE

The new Undisputed WWE Champion, Sami Zayn has seemingly learned lessons from his time with Roman Reigns in The Bloodline.

A member of The Bloodline from May 2022 until January of the following year, Sami Zayn integrated himself into the faction, becoming an Honorary Uce.

Since that era, Zayn has been a WWE Intercontinental Champion and is the current Undisputed WWE Champion, by defeating CM Punk on the September 11 episode of SmackDown.

With a recent victory over Kevin Owens to his name, Zayn is showing elements of Roman Reigns in his championship run:

Undisputed WWE Champion

The obvious one is that Sami Zayn, like Roman Reigns during that period, has the Undisputed WWE Championship in his possession.

For Reigns, he would be an indomitable opponent, surrounded by The Bloodline, all aligned to his bidding and under the guidance of Paul Heyman as The Wiseman.

Zayn may not have his own “Wiseman” yet, but that’s something he could adopt in the future.

Johnny Gargano

Having spent far too long asleep, Johnny Gargano has been brought back to life with a championship opportunity of his own offered by CM Punk, something that Zayn dangles in front of him.

For Zayn, it’s a mirror of his run before getting into The Bloodline, with the star just wanting to belong and Roman Reigns offering that opportunity not because of what Zayn was doing, but because the Tribal Chief could bestow it upon anyone he chooses.

The Master Manipulator

Roman Reigns was just an imposing presence as Undisputed WWE Champion; he was a master manipulator outside of the ring.

Surrounded by members of The Bloodline, bonded by their family ties, Reigns could manipulate them into doing his bidding, with each one oblivious to the tactic until it was too late. For some, they risked exile or Tribal Combat, with a loss requiring acknowledgement of Reigns.

Paul Heyman played his part, too. Although not bonded by blood, he was on hand to deliver the Tribal Chief’s mandates with impunity, knowing that he was protected in the sphere of Reigns, something that would be less of a factor during Solo Sikoa’s leadership.

The Trust Factor

When he was attempting to get into The Bloodline, Sami Zayn was met with suspicion by Jey Uso, although the pair would eventually come to a degree of respect and harmony.

Candice LeRae is equally suspicious of Zayn, seeing him manipulate her real-life husband and his desires.

LeRae will no doubt try to convince Gargano of what’s happening, but is likely to fail as he continues to seek that elusive championship match.

The SmackDown ‘Bloodline’

SmackDown doesn’t need its own version of The Bloodline and, arguably, there is no need to acknowledge that Zayn is following the pattern set out by Roman Reigns. That said, there is a benefit to having Zayn surround himself with acolytes of his own, increasing his self-assurance in his own position as champion.

It will all come out eventually, if that is the plan, although it should be at a moment when Zayn is at his lowest, allowing him to go on a redemption arc. It’s the sort of message that should be delivered by someone close to him, perhaps Reigns himself or, more likely, Kevin Owens.

To make sure you stay up to date with all the biggest wrestling and WrestleTalk news, follow us on Threads by clicking this link!

• wwe
• Roman Reigns
• Smackdown
• Sami Zayn

Share this article with friends