During the March 11th, 2024 episode of WWE RAW, Sami Zayn emerged victorious in a thrilling gauntlet match, earning himself a shot at the Intercontinental title against Gunther at WrestleMania 40. Reflecting on Zayn’s triumph, Booker T shared his insights during a recent podcast episode.

Booker T recounted a conversation he had with Zayn while they were both en route to Orlando on a Tuesday morning flight. Seated beside each other, Booker T expressed admiration for Zayn’s performance, acknowledging the intense support many had for Chad Gable during the match.

Booker T also emphasized the significance of Zayn’s victory, foreseeing it as a pivotal moment in his career. He encouraged Zayn to view the match as a catalyst for his ascent to greater heights in the wrestling world, a showcase of his capabilities under the spotlight.

“I talked to Sami Zayn actually on Tuesday morning. We were flying to Orlando and we were sitting next to each other on the plane. And I swear, the same thing like you just said, so many people was pulling for Chad Gable in that match and Sami, I said, ‘Man, you know, what a match, man.’ I said, ‘What a match! You’re gonna look back on this one day and say that was the one, that was the one that catapulted me to the next level, that was the one that put me in the light and let people see exactly what I can do.’”

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However, Booker T revealed that Zayn was deeply affected by the negative reception from some fans online. Zayn expressed disappointment, feeling blindsided by the criticism after believing in the fans’ adoration for him.

Booker T offered words of wisdom, advising Zayn to tune out the distracting “white noise” of criticism and focus on the undeniable quality of his performance. Despite the lingering disappointment, Booker T reiterated his belief in Zayn’s talent and the significance of his match, regardless of differing opinions from the fanbase.

“He was so literally upset about the online heat that he got from the fans. He’s like, ‘Man, I thought the fans love me. And then next thing you know, I see all this stuff.’ I say, ‘Man, you can’t listen to that white noise. You gotta think about how great that match was, and you’re gonna look back on it one day and say: ‘Man, that was some really, really good work that I did.’ But he still, like I said, was feeling that heat. He let someone down just because the fans didn’t think the match was as good as, you know. I thought it was.” 

Sami Zayn’s win on WWE RAW earned him a spot at WrestleMania 40 and showcased his talent in the ring. Despite facing criticism, Zayn’s determination and skill shine through. As he gears up for his title shot, his journey highlights the importance of perseverance in the world of wrestling.

How do you think Sami Zayn’s ability to overcome criticism and focus on his performance will impact his future in WWE and his upcoming title shot at WrestleMania 40? Let us know in the comments below.

Tags: Sami Zayn
Steve Carrier

Steve is the Founder of RingsideNews. He has been writing about professional wrestling since 1996. He first got into website development at the time and has been focusing on bringing his readers the best professional wrestling news at it's highest quality.

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