Sami Zayn admits that his days as an in-ring performer are somewhat numbered, but he says it’s possible that the best is yet to come.
Zayn has been with WWE since 2013, and while he has enjoyed some success at various points, he has reached new heights in 2022. He won the WWE Intercontinental Championship for the third time, and he faced Jackass Forever star Johnny Knoxville at WrestleMania 38.
Over the next few months, Zayn gradually became a member of The Bloodline, the dominant stable that features Roman Reigns, The Usos, Paul Heyman, and recent addition Solo Sikoa. This storyline has widely been praised as one of the best parts of WWE TV today, with fans and analysts alike pointing to Zayn’s performances as a consistent highlight. But Zayn, 38, knows that time is not on his side, and he’s determined to give it his all, no matter how much time he has left as an active performer.
Speaking with Justin Barrasso of Sports Illustrated, Zayn pondered what path he might have followed if he never chased greatness as a wrestler. He stated that he would have gone into teaching, and as a 20-year veteran of the wrestling business, he feels compelled to pass on his knowledge
“I would have gone into teaching and something in the humanities,” Zayn said. “English teachers were the only ones that didn’t hate me. They were the only ones who saw my potential. Math teachers, they were always fed up with me. Even now, my days are somewhat numbered as an in-ring performer. There is still meaning to me in passing on the knowledge I’ve been able to accrue over the past 20 years now. I always gravitate toward teaching.”
Zayn went on to describe his current run and noted that he has had a great career, but it’s possible that the best is yet to come. Either way, he expressed his gratitude for where he is today. Zayn made it clear that he always gives 100%, and he’s excited to see what his future holds.
“I’ve only been on the main roster for six years,” Zayn said. “In some ways, I’m just starting. Maybe I’ve already peaked. I’ve gotten to do so much. It’s been a great career, and I’m totally thrilled with it. Maybe the best is yet to come. But I’m extremely grateful with where I am and what I’m doing.
“I can’t give 90%; I can only give 100. It’s focusing on those little details that have got me in trouble before, but it’s also what’s got me this far. Each and every step of the ladder of success in my career, each jump that I took, I was able to stand there. I did that enough times and thought, ‘Why not me?’ So we’ll see what happens next.”
Zayn and Roman Reigns will face Kevin Owens and John Cena on the December 30 episode of WWE SmackDown.
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