WWE Champion Sami Zayn is currently in his second reign as champion, surpassing his initial nine-day tenure after defeating Kevin Owens on SmackDown. While some fans have expressed displeasure with Zayn holding the title again and have noted his failure to remove CM Punk's side plates from the championship belt as a sign of an imminent title change, his current run is being framed as a strategic success.
The narrative around Zayn's championship is that he has transitioned into a master heel, a character designed to elicit strong emotional responses from the audience. This approach is seen as a key element of professional wrestling, where performers aim to make fans feel a range of emotions, from love and admiration to annoyance and loathing. Zayn's career is noted for his ability to build these emotional connections over time.
![Sami Zayn stands in a wrestling ring with his arms raised, wearing an "Undisputed Champion" belt and a shirt that reads "LAST REAL GOOD GUY."]( "Sami Zayn stands in a wrestling ring with his arms raised, wearing an "Undisputed Champion" belt and a shirt that reads "LAST REAL GOOD GUY.""