6 Dream Opponents for Sami Zayn Outside of WWE

Sami Zayn is one of the most influential names in the industry, with many up-and-coming wrestlers saying his in-ring style and character has inspired them. What would happen though if Sami Zayn could wrestle anyone from around the world, from any promotion? And who would he be likely to face?

Here at Sportskeeda we asked this question and have come up with an interesting list. From legends of the industry to internet darlings, we have come up with six opponents for Sami Zayn and an extra bonus pick, just for fun.

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#6 Indie Wrestling - EFFY vs Sami Zayn ticks all the right boxes

Who better for Sami Zayn to face off against than the Internet Champion himself? Zayn is a huge supporter of LGBTQ rights as well as spending most of his childhood navigating multiple worlds. His outspoken approach to his beliefs and need for equality makes him the perfect opponent for a man like Effy.

These two men both use their platforms to make the world a better place and support those who need it. It would make sense for these two highly intelligent men to face off in a match.

Also, why not do a joint event to raise money for an LGBTQ Charity and Sami for Syria? Have them as the main event and have a fantastic time. Just give the people what they want.

And while Zayn is reclaiming the indies, why not have him face off against Effy’s friends and tag team partners Allie Katch and Danhausen? We all love Danhausen and he is a huge fan of Zayn’s as well as his friend El Generico.

While facing off against Allie Katch while at a GCW show would be lots of fun, she is a skilled in ring performer whose submission game is second to none. She is well known for her intergender bouts, which would just add to the spectacle.

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#5 IMPACT / AEW - Christian Cage vs. Sami Zayn is a generational story

Christian Cage took a chance on himself and became an undeniable force in the industry

Christian Cage vs. Sami Zayn is a story that would make sense if the two ever came face to face inside of a ring. Cage and Zayn are both Canadian wrestlers who have always stood in the shadow of their friend, and sometimes enemy, inside of WWE.

Zayn feels like the kind of wrestler who, if he wanted to, could take a chance on himself, and revitalize his career just like Christian did years ago in TNA/IMPACT. The comparisons between these two men and their careers are striking and an easy story to tell. Maybe Zayn just needs that one moment or that one match that will put him over the edge.

He is already an industry darling who has inspired a whole generation of wannabe wrestlers while never reaching the top of the mountain in WWE. Going against a legend like Christian would be an interesting match up and lots of fun. Give us two of the most underrated Canadian wrestlers in WWE history, build a story and let them run with it.

#4 DDT/Gatoh Move Pro - Chris Brookes vs Sami Zayn needs to happen

Chris Brookes has been a staple of the British Wrestling scene for the last five years before taking his talents to Japan for a more permanent run at the start of 2020. He mainly works in DDT but has also appeared in Gatoh Move Pro while also helping produce the Chris Brookes Produce show for DDT and the Schadenfreude shows in the UK. With all of this information, why should Sami Zayn face off with the Calamari Catch King?

Because Chris Brookes is one of the best young wrestlers the scene has seen in a while. If Sami Zayn wants to show the world that he still has it, Brookes is the man to do it against. Yes, Zack Saber Jr dream matches are all over the internet, and ZSJ and Zayn would tear it up, but there is something about Brookes that feels like forbidden ground.

Brookes is cool in his leather jacket and DIY aesthetic that is shown through his entire career. Coming up against Sami Zayn, who has spent most of his life as an underdog, would be awesome.

This match doesn’t even have to happen in DDT. It would be fun if their match left the squared circle and took to the streets of Japan. Schadenfreude shows are always an option in the UK.

They rarely announce big matches or stars before these events so having Sami Zayn vs Chris Brookes in the main event would be a hit, especially in front of such a small crowd. On top of this, it opens up the opportunity for Sami Zayn to wrestle the rest of Schadenfreude.

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#3 NJPW - Tetsuya Naito, the Ungovernable One of New Japan

Tetsuya Naito might currently be out with a knee injury, ruling him out of this year's G1 Climax. But he would be an interesting match up for Sami Zayn in New Japan Pro-wrestling. The two have a base in Lucha Libre and started off their careers working a more energetic style.

These two men have also suffered horrible injuries that have made them change their in-ring work to be less high-flying, taking a more submission-based approach. That doesn’t mean the two don’t break out the old moves once in a while, which would add to the extravaganza that we can expect when these two take to the ring.

Naito and Sami Zayn would bring the best out of each other, and this could also lead to so many different match ups involving Los Ingobernables de Japon. Can you imagine the spectacle of Zyan Vs. Hiromu Takahashi or the underdog story of him trying to beat ‘The Dragon’ Shingo Takagi?

While those are mouth watering, there is something about Naito and Zayn that just makes sense. Naito, after years, finally made it to the top of the New Japan mountain holding two belts in the process. Sami Zayn has never quite achieved the same. Give these men 30 minutes and you know you will see a classic.

#2 DDT/TJPW - Maki Itoh vs Sami Zayn would light up any arena

Maki Itoh is your new favorite wrestler. There is no choice in this, it’s just straight up facts. She’s cute, foul-mouthed, deadly and could be a formidable opponent for Sami Zayn.

She currently works for DDT and Tokyo Joshi Pro-wrestling, but has also appeared for AEW. Sometimes you just want something fun and hard hitting and this match will give this to us.

DDT is the perfect place for this bout to take place, as intergender matches are the norm. Maki Itoh is a joy and brings it no matter where the match takes place. She recently took part in an electric barbed wire death match and bringing Sami Zayn into that environment would be very interesting. Let’s just put the internet’s two favorite wrestlers in a ring and see what they can do.

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1. AEW | Penta El Zero M should mix it up with Sami Zayn

Penta El Zero M is a fearsome in-ring competitor

While Rey Fenix and PAC came in at a close second and third what we really need to see is Sami Zayn face off against the man with Zero Fear, Penta El Zero M. This match could be a true throwback to his feuds with Kevin Owens and will bring out the best in Sami Zayn.

Sami Zayn always works best as a true underdog and a match with someone as physically imposing as Penta El Zero M would feed into that. Death Triangle can get fully involved with these matches too. Zayn and Rey Fenix would be a thrilling contest in and of its own, and the long-awaited rematch between Sami and the former Neville, PAC promises to be an instant classic.

All these things should lead to an eventual match against Penta, put them in a steel cage, and watch the fun commence. Sami Zayn is still one of the best in-ring performers in wrestling today and having him face off against someone with the power and ruthlessness of Penta will really show the world what he is capable of.

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Bonus: El Generico

When will El Generico return from his orphanage in Tijuana? When will he face off against Sami Zayn? We all know that they are very similar in the ring, but they aren’t the same person, they are just good friends. Sami Zayn has even released a t-shirt for this dream match, so it needs to happen right?

We know at Sportskeeda that this one won't happen, but wouldn't it be fun?