TAMPA, Fla. (WWSB) – This Saturday in Tampa, the WWE holds its first premium live event since WrestleMania in Las Vegas at Benchmark International Arena. One of the big matches on the card pits current United States Champion Trick Williams against the man he beat for the title in Las Vegas last month, Sami Zayn.
Zayn has been competing for nearly a quarter century, with more than half of that time spent with WWE.
On Saturday, Zayn returns to Tampa to compete for the United States title. It’s a place he knows very well.
The superstar spoke with ABC7 ahead of his big title match this weekend on the significance of competing in the Tampa area.
“I moved to Tampa when I first signed my contract,” WWE Superstar Sami Zayn said.
“Tampa was kind of symbolic of like your hopes and dreams have come true. You get signed and you move to Tampa. Tampa has a special place in my heart because I called it home once upon a time,” he added.
Zayn’s true origins are from Montreal – a city with a team that the Tampa Bay Lightning know well.
“Tampa is always a great crowd,” Zayn said.
I’m a Montrealer myself, so I was watching the playoff series, which to be fair could have gone either way,” he added with a smile.
When it comes to wins and losses, one particular loss weighs heavily on Zayn – losing the United States Championship last month to Trick Williams at WrestleMania.
This Saturday at Backlash, he has a chance to get his title back.
“It’s a pretty big match,” Zayn said.
“I think just being on the card makes it a big match. It’s a WrestleMania rematch, and it’s for the United States championship,” he added.
The animosity between Zayn and Williams dates back to January of this year with Williams’ main roster debut. The current champ has disrespected Zayn, something that doesn’t sit well with the veteran.
“It’s like this kid just got here, and I’m this guy who’s been around,” Zayn said.
“And he’s trolling me to the point where he’s bringing out a gingerbread man and making fun of me and stuff. For sure there’s a big part of me that’s like, this will not stand,” he added.
It’s personal and significant for Zayn, as he challenged John Cena for this same title when he debuted on the main roster more than a decade ago.
Having the match in Tampa makes it all the more meaningful.
“It’s a hot city,” Zayn said.
“It’s a hot crowd. It’s exciting, and I can’t wait to perform there. I can’t wait,” he added.
The rivalry has gotten heated in recent weeks, and showcases a contrast of styles and journeys. Zayn worked years on the independent wrestling scene before arriving to WWE, while Williams came from the world of football and was offered a chance to tryout with the company without a plethora of experience in the industry.
The matchup is a part of the WWE Backlash premium live event that is slated to start at 6 p.m. in Tampa.
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