Wrestling legend Konnan recently claimed that Sami Zayn was hesitant to join WWE.
The former Honorary Us joined the Stamford-based company in 2013, after competing for several years on the independent circuit. He spent nearly two years in NXT, during which he held the NXT Championship before making his main roster debut in 2015. Has been an active competitor on Monday Night Raw and SmackDown since.
Speaking on the Keepin’ It 100 podcast, Konnan detailed his conversations with Zayn before signing with the Stamford-based company.
“Sami came to Mexico under the hood. Jack Evans brought him in. So Jack Evans brought him in and I remember looking at him and going, ‘Wow! This guy has incredible potential.’ And then I saw him at a Teddy Hart show in Canada and he was just about to go to WWE and I remember sitting next to me and he was leaving, because this was when WWE wasn’t using people right was, you know, they had a lot of talent, they just weren’t using them right. (…) So, he was like, ‘You know, should I go to WWE or not? I think I want to go but I don’t want to live the rest of my career thinking what if, right?'” he said. [7:29 – 8:09]
A member of Bloodline reportedly didn’t want to work with Sami Zayn.
Konnan believed that Sami Zayn would eventually reach the top of WWE
After spending several years as a mid-card player in the Stamford-based company, Sami Zayn entered the main event picture about nine months ago after joining The Bloodline. However, last month, Honorary Us turned against Roman Reigns and The Bloodline in the Royal Rumble. He will now face off against The Tribal Chief for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship at Elimination Chamber in his hometown of Montreal.
Speaking on Keepin’ It 100, Konnan revealed that he believed Zayn would eventually rise to the top of the company.
“I thought to myself. I didn’t tell him that. I go, ‘You’re probably going to get caught up in the amount of talent that he has. But I’ve always said: talent gets to the top.’ And sooner or later, as people go away or whatever the case may be, he is going to get his chance. But he will have to wait.’ And that’s basically what happened,” Konnan explained. [8:12 – 8:31]
A Hall of Famer reveals what sets Sami Zayn apart from other Superstars.