With how easily WWE moves on from storylines and its characters, something we’ve sadly seen for Sami Zayn before, I really liked his backstage segment with Cody Rhodes, keeping him hot and at the forefront of fans’ minds, especially during the busy WrestleMania season. This short backstage segment made me believe (or at least have hope) that Zayn isn’t going to get lost in the shuffle, and on a pretty average episode of “SmackDown” tonight, it’s one thing I really liked.

Zayn has been locked in some kind of mini-feud/rivalry with newcomer Trick Williams, which I’ve mentioned I really like a lot, but that wasn’t the highlight of his story tonight. Sure, Williams got in his face there for a second after a brief crash-out following his interaction with Rhodes, but his confrontation with the former Undisputed WWE Champion was the highlight of this. And, it was something that needed to be addressed after Rhodes pinned Zayn in the Elimination Chamber qualifier last week. But, as we all know, it easily could have been something WWE chose to just never address again.

Rhodes appeared to be attempting to cheer Zayn up backstage, but after Rhodes being the one to dash his Chamber dreams last week, I really loved that Zayn wasn’t having it. He wasn’t all, “Aw, shucks, man, thanks,” when Rhodes told him that he shouldn’t be ashamed of himself. Zayn was quick to say that he knew that, and it was Rhodes who should be ashamed for stabbing him in the back. Zayn said everything always comes up roses for Rhodes, but for him? He’s been trying to finish his story for 10 years, and Rhodes doesn’t know what it’s like to do the right thing.

That’s when things really started getting heated, and Zayn still wasn’t having any of it, and had his mini-crash out, slamming stuff around as Rhodes walked away. I didn’t love how Zayn apologized to him after his words with Williams, but this was still one of the best things on the show tonight. I’m also not sure if I love Zayn possibly turning heel, but I don’t really know if fans would let that work at this point.

I liked that this was simple and that we didn’t see Zayn again for the rest of the night. He’s involved with himself and his feelings and plans for the moment, and didn’t need to get involved with Williams’ qualifying match for the Elimination Chamber, or in the main event where McIntyre cost Randy Orton the match, which brought out Rhodes. This was clean, simple, and effective, and I’m glad WWE doesn’t appear to be dropping anything for Zayn, at the moment, at least.

Written by Daisy Ruth