Add as a preferred source on Google Sami Zayn does not agree with the idea that he has fully turned heel in WWE. Speaking with the Toronto Sun, the former United States Champion said his current run is more complicated than a simple shift from one side to the other.
According to Zayn, the goal is to work a more subtle character change, one that leaves part of the audience divided. He explained that reactions have changed from week to week, and the story could still move in several different directions.
“I’ll disagree with your statement that I fully turned heel here. I don’t think I have. I think I’m trying to play this one a little different because this one is kind of different. We’re kind of riding these reactions, which are different week to week. I had this idea for a slight character shift that would be a little outside the box that would split the audience a little bit. Sometimes things just don’t work out exactly how you envision it, and sometimes, you think you’re gonna be somewhere on the timeline and you’re not. Maybe I’m being a little vague here about it, but all this to say I still think there’s ways to go and it can still go in a number of different ways, which I find very interesting and kind of refreshing. Although to be fair, if you kick a mannequin Gingerbread Man below the belt, that might upset people because people want to have fun.”
Zayn’s comments come in the middle of his feud with Trick Williams, which has taken a very unusual turn in recent weeks. The storyline began when Trick and Lil Yachty started using the Gingerbread Man to mock Sami ahead of WrestleMania 42.
At the event, Trick defeated Zayn to win the United States Championship. Sami later appeared during the new champion’s celebration disguised as the Gingerbread Man, then attacked Trick and Lil Yachty. The following week, Zayn lost control again and destroyed the mascot.
The United States Championship rematch between Trick Williams and Sami Zayn is officially set for WWE Backlash, which takes place Saturday, May 9, in Tampa, Florida.