Sami Zayn challenged Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship at WWE Elimination Chamber in Montreal, and despite the overwhelming fan support, Reigns walked away with the titles.
Many fans were left disappointed by Roman winning as Sami had been built as a credible threat going for the title in his hometown.
Speaking to Xfinity, Zayn was asked how he felt about the loss months after the fact.
"It would have been kind of perfect, a storybook ending, if I had dethroned Roman. Sure, of course, but if you look at more five years from now, ten years from now, the totality of where it all lies, I think you will see that it is one great chapter, hopefully, in a story. For sure, unquestionably, whether it was the right or wrong decision, the way it ended, there is no question that had it gone my way that night in Montreal or at WrestleMania or something with Roman, unquestionably it would have been a moment that would have definitely been replayed many times. I still think what we did was very special and as you can see by what has continued to happen with The Usos and Roman, that story still has some special moments. This is one of those things where you just need time to see where it all falls.
"I don't know if this is a valid comparison, but it's almost like when Brock (Lesnar) beat Undertaker and ended the streak. It was such a shocking moment that you kind of didn't know what to make of it. I remember watching it live with Juice Robinson. He was so frazzled by it, 'I need five years to know whether this was the right call or not.' It's kind of true. You had to wait several years to see all the consequences and ripple effect of that moment. It took five years to see 'this all goes back to do that.' Maybe it was chapter one, for me personally, in this huge story that is my quest to one day win the big one."
While Zayn did not win at WWE Elimination Chamber, he did win at WrestleMania 39, teaming with Kevin Owens to defeat The Usos (Jimmy Uso & Jey Uso) and win the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships.
Zayn & Owens remain the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions, but are not currently scheduled to compete at WWE SummerSlam.
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