Zayn would go to great lengths to protect the character, paying attention to the finest details, which he explained by referencing another icon from pop culture. “When I would wear a mask, there were times that the mask was tied too tight,” he detailed. “You would see a tiny bit of my hair in the back and when I would see that on screen, it would drive me crazy.”

“It’s almost like if you saw little human fingers sticking out of R2-D2,” Zayn added. “You’re like, ‘Oh, there’s a little guy there. That’s not a robot!’ It takes you out of it.'” Generico first appeared in Zayn’s native Quebec, and recalls his hometown being in on the act. Once he began to spread his wings a bit, however, it was easier to keep things close to the vest. “When I went into the States, for those first six or seven years,” he remembered, “I saw almost no leaks of what my face actually looked like. Also, the fans weren’t seeking it out because it does kill the allure a little bit.”

You never know if WWE fans may get to see Generico someday, as apparently Road Dogg has pitched the idea in the past. In the meantime, Zayn’s position near the top of the card — and in the limelight — seems secure for plenty of time to come.

If you use any quotes from this article, please credit Out of Character with a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.