Sami Zayn has been enjoying a big push since moving to SmackDown. Triple H put the United States Championship on him, and he has reminded fans of his great in-ring talent. Zayn is looking to make his title run meaningful by having a weekly open challenge, giving a nod to what John Cena did during his epic run with the title.
Zayn has already faced Cena himself as well as Carmelo Hayes and Rey Fenix, delivering great matches to ensure that everyone is talking about him. But with WWE looking to do this regularly and an entire roster full of talent, there are plenty of options for who he could face next.
Shinsuke Nakamura
- Nakamura is a three-time United States Champion
- Nakamura’s WWE debut was against Sami Zayn in NXT
Shinsuke Nakamura hasn’t done much of note in recent years, with WWE often just throwing him in for brief, forgettable storylines. However, he’s a fantastic wrestler who fans still care about, and plugging him into a match like this would be a great way to use him. He’s someone WWE is unlikely to put into a featured feud at this stage in his career, but that doesn’t stop Triple H from giving him brief moments.
Anyone who knows Zayn and Nakamura’s history will be aware that if they’re given enough time, they can put together a clinic, and that’s what this open challenge should be about. Fans want to see great one-off matches, and tying it into those Zayn has a past with isn’t a bad idea.
Jacob the Lord
- Jacob Fatu is a former United States Champion
- Fatu’s momentum has been stunted lately on SmackDown
Jacob Fatu was one of the hottest WWE Superstars a few months ago, being incredibly popular with the WWE Universe. Unfortunately, poor booking has led to him cooling off dramatically, and that shouldn’t have been the case, as he has tons of potential to become a significant star moving forward. Giving him a featured spot against Zayn would help change that, as they would instantly remind fans of Fatu’s quality.
He’s a former United States Champion, which is something WWE could lean into, and Fatu’s the type of wrestler who deserves to be in this spot. He’s someone who can beat Zayn, too, which is essential for making these matches have a real emotional connection.
Aleister Black
- He has never won the United States Championship
- Black hasn’t won a title since returning to WWE after leaving AEW
Aleister Black is one of the most exciting wrestlers on WWE’s roster from an in-ring perspective, and giving him a 20-minute match against Sami Zayn would allow him to showcase that. Black is the perfect wrestler to step into this role, delivering a classic match that would steal the show, which could then continue and be turned into a feud if WWE wanted.
He’s the type of creative person who can take something from a match like this and make it feel important. It’s easy to imagine Zayn selling all of his different strikes to perfection to make this match feel like must-see television.
Chris Sabin
- Chris Sabin has never won the United States Championship
- Sabin has enjoyed singles success throughout his career in TNA
One of the great things about an open challenge like this is that no storylines need to be created. This creates more opportunities for other wrestlers and should include people in the tag team division. That’s why Chris Sabin would be a great option to compete against the United States Champion, because he has so much history as a singles wrestler.
It’s unlikely that WWE will ever truly use him in that capacity, but giving Sabin a one-off moment to showcase his qualities alone, while giving a nod to his past that fans of his work will surely appreciate.
Damian Priest
- He is a former United States Champion
- Damian Priest is a believable main event threat
Damian Priest might not be the flashiest wrestler or someone who always excites a crowd, but there’s no denying that he always delivers in big matches and moments. He can work as a babyface or a heel and has all the qualities to have a brilliant match against Sami Zayn that would make it feel like it’s worthy of being on a premium live event.
Fans want to see that, as these title matches should still feel important and must-see. Allowing a former World Champion like Priest to stand up against Zayn would guarantee that’s the case, which would create a brilliant encounter. Priest is a believable threat to the title, which is important, and he has enough star power to make this interesting.
JC Mateo
- JC Mateo has never won the United States Championship
- Mateo has had limited opportunities as a singles wrestler in WWE
Many fans were excited when JC Mateo joined WWE because of his talent. His career in Japan and Lucha Underground showcased what he was capable of. Mateo is a monster of a wrestler who can deliver absolute intensity inside the ring, bringing physicality and athleticism together in a captivating manner.
WWE’s booking of Mateo has been underwhelming to date, having mainly used him as someone to protect Solo Sikoa. Mateo can bring much more to the company, but it depends on whether he’s put in that position. Many fans aren’t aware of his actual ability, but a United States Championship match against Sami Zayn would give people an idea.
Erick Rowan
- Erick Rowan has never been United States Champion
- Rowan proved his singles qualities during his non-WWE run
Erick Rowan is typically used as the silent monster in The Wyatt Sicks group, attacking others when needed and using his strength and power to help everyone else. However, Rowan is a brilliant performer in his own right and is one of the best big men that WWE currently has on the roster. Sadly, he’s underutilized and rarely gets the opportunity that his talent deserves.
Fans wouldn’t expect him to answer the open challenge, instantly making it interesting on a match card. Due to his selling ability, Sami Zayn works best against bigger wrestlers, which would allow Rowan to shine brightly.
Nick Aldis
- He has never won the United States Championship
- Nick Aldis has yet to make an in-ring debut for WWE
If WWE really wanted to make Sami Zayn’s open challenge gimmick feel important, then having Nick Aldis answer it would do the trick. The SmackDown General Manager hasn’t had a match since joining the company. Still, he has a considerable pedigree as a professional wrestler with years of experience working at a high level for the likes of TNA and the NWA.
Aldis could put together an amazing heel turn by throwing himself into this moment and winning the gold, as it would be the last thing people expect. However, it would also be a lot of fun to see unfold, and many fans are keen to see Aldis get an in-ring opportunity. Doing it this way would be an unexpected moment, making the most of the open challenge stipulation.
Montez Ford
Fans have long wanted Montez Ford to break out as a singles star, and recently, WWE has been slightly teasing the possibility of that happening. While WWE seems to have a creative idea in mind for him, a great way to build up the excitement around Ford being a singles performer again would be having him challenge Sami Zayn.
If they were to have a great singles match, it would instantly get everyone believing in Ford as a solo act. WWE has something special in Ford, and while The Street Profits have been fun, it does feel like WWE could be getting more out of him in the long term.
Trick Williams
- Trick Williams is a former NXT Champion
- He has worked for TNA lately as part of WWE’s partnership
A great option for WWE to consider would be having someone from NXT face Zayn for the title, using it as a way to promote them to the main roster. That’s how Sami Zayn himself debuted originally as he challenged John Cena, so it would create a full-circle moment in that aspect. Trick Williams is more than ready for this type of pushand Zayn would help guide him to a great match to kickstart his career on the main roster.
Williams has been one of NXT’s top stars, and his hard work has earned him a bigger opportunity on SmackDown. Bringing him in this way would instantly prove to the WWE Universe that he should be seen on that level, and if the follow-up is good, it will significantly impact his career.
