The 5 Biggest Flops Since The 2016 WWE Draft

#4 Sami Zayn

Zayn won't be back until WrestleMania 35

Sami Zayn was considered someone who would thrive after the draft. He debuted on the main roster that same year but hadn’t yet shined as he did in NXT. Two years later and we’re still waiting for Zayn to stand out.

Zayn’s first real feud as a member of the Raw roster was against Braun Strowman. Unmistakably, this feud was designed to get Strowman over; Zayn was just the plucky underdog for ‘The Monster’ to devour.

Many felt – including Zayn himself - that he was better suited to Smackdown where underdog talent such as Heath Slater and Breezango were getting the chance to shine. Zayn got his wish and was moved to Smackdown during the 2017 Superstar Shakeup, and he preceded to do…nothing.

It wasn’t until a few months later when Zayn turned heel and aligned himself with former nemesis Kevin Owens, that Zayn finally got some screen time.

Owens and Zayn feud with Shane McMahon eventually grew to include Daniel Bryan. Owens and Zayn lost to Shane and the returning Bryan at WrestleMania 33. Again, Zayn was just a prop in someone else’s story – Daniel Bryan’s miraculous comeback.

Zayn and Owens found their way back to Raw this year. Zayn briefly feuded with Lashley; their feud was only noteworthy for the number of horrible segments they were involved. Lashley quickly defeated Zayn at Money in the Bank this year. Zayn went in for surgery to repair both of his rotator cuffs the next day having fulfilled his duty.

Clearly, WWE brass sees Sami Zayn as someone who gets other talents over.

Unless he drastically changes his image and looks, it’ll be more of the same for Sami when he returns.