Sami Zayn officially switched brands this week after wrapping up his really enjoyable feud with Karrion Kross, one purely predicated on the idea that Zayn would have to embrace the hate in order to become WWE World Champion. The fact of the matter is, he was feuding with Kross because Zayn is a compelling enough name that demands to be on weekly programming but had truly exhausted all directions as a babyface on Monday nights. 

A feud with Seth Rollins as World Heavyweight Champion would only serve to put him in a placeholder position for CM Punk and Roman Reigns, a feud with the Intercontinental Champion Dominik Mysterio would stunt either of them when they really need to be hitting their stride, and that left little room for a man who has outwardly made it his goal to climb the ladder. 

So “SmackDown” is very much the brand of that opportunity, and while he is currently in no position to be demanding opportunities against Cody Rhodes (see the previous issues), there was an optimal story to tell with the United States Champion: Solo Sikoa. Zayn appeared during last week’s “SmackDown” as a Montreal surprise and picked up the win over Sikoa in non-title action last week, thus creating the bridge for him to make a claim for another title he has never held, despite his very best attempts (like the match with John Cena, an all-timer). 

I did note last week that Zayn and Sikoa have their own intrinsic story and accompanying dynamic, and that hasn’t changed in the time since, in fact it fed perfectly into what would eventually transpire. Zayn fell victim to an attack from MFT (that name is stupid, I prefer New Bloodline, henceforth that shall be their name), and then Jimmy Uso came out to make the save for his “Dawg,” only to once again fall victim to the SHEER SIZE OF TALLA TONGA, prompting Jacob Fatu to then make the save and put a quaint werewolf-furred bow on the segment. 

Naturally, that set up the main event, a trios match pitting the New Bloodline against the Original Bloodline – and their new member Fatu – which was in itself preceded by segments involving Bloodlines new and old ironing out their issues, the former in terms of staking their claim on the tag titles, and the latter in trying to figure out where they stand with one another; Fatu insisted he was standing by his brother, Jimmy, while he did not know Zayn like that; Zayn insisted much in the same way, and their common ground was to be found on the fly. Apparently, “Can they co-exist?” works when it actually makes sense. 

The match itself worked in being a fun TV main event, capped with Zayn picking up the win and an ever-elusive hug from Fatu when all was said and done. Also, honorable mention to Talla Tonga for putting forth his best impression of Billy from Predator, subtle and nuanced stuff like that with the Wyatt Sicks feels refreshing.

Written by Max Everett