“And there’s a reason that it was in Tampa, Florida,” Zayn explained. “It’s because every single one of you, through years, and years, and years, and years, of coming to these shows — years and years and years of using your voice, of cheering us on, of supporting us — every single one of you made this a wrestling town!”

“I’m not gonna go on and on about the time I lived in Florida, and the many wonderful, wonderful memories I carry from living in Tampa,” Zayn concluded. “All I’m gonna say is that it is a sincere honor, and it is a sincere pleasure, and a privilege to be able to walk out here and perform for every single one of you here tonight. Tampa, we love you. Thank you for your support! Thank you, thank you, thank you!”

Zayn was sidelined after a brutal assault from McIntyre on the December 4 episode of “WWE Raw”. His whereabouts were unknown until this past Saturday, where he entered the Royal Rumble match at the coveted number 30 spot. Zayn was eliminated shortly after by an irate McIntyre, and their feud has carried on past the Rumble and onto the opening segments of tonight’s episode of “Raw”, when Zayn defended an injured CM Punk from a Scottish assault. Despite online disappointment with the short-lived nature of his Rumble return, Tampa was ablaze with passion as they cheered for Zayn following his speech.