Where do we even start here? How do you narrow such a rich history and storied rivalry down to 400 words? Really, the scope of the exchanges these two have had reaches far beyond 2016, but this year marked the first time that Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn were able to showcase their chemistry on the WWE’s main roster.
This program started in January, when Zayn was one of the surprise entrants in the Royal Rumble. Of course, he made a beeline for Owens and the two reignited their rivalry that began in 2014 on NXT programming. Owens was the Intercontinental Champion at the time, and I still say that the two should have been a featured in a match at Wrestlemania 32. Alas, they were a part of a larger, 7-man ladder match for the strap in Dallas.
Though Owens walked into the event as champion, he would not leave as champion thanks to Zayn. To settle the score, the two had a knock-down dragout at Payback. After that, both men became involved in the Intercontinental Championship picture again and took part in a phenomenal 4-way contest with The Miz and Cesaro at Extreme Rules.
The two continued to cross paths, both competing in the Money in the Bank ladder match, but coming up short. When one more match was booked between the two, it was billed as the final encounter between the two. At Battleground, Owens and Zayn had arguably their best match yet, but it’s hardly been their final battle. Both men were drafted to Raw, and have crossed paths several times since.
We’ll be seeing Owens-Zayn throughout their careers. When two men produce the electricity that they produce, it’s always a failsafe, and unless they’re wrestling at every other show, the fans are going to respond. It’s just great wrestling, plain and simple.
But, these two possess a lot more than simple ring chemistry. It’s rare to capture the vitriolic hate that these two show for each other. It’s a unique bond, and every now and then, two guys catch lightning in a bottle.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zuoxW1T6IE0]
“You and I are destined to do this forever.” Considering these two are still having quality matches on Raw in December…..I’m okay with this. #FightForever
WWE’s Top Rivalries of 2016 – #2
Stoney Keeley is the editor of the SoBros Network, Tennessee Titans Featured Analyst for Pro Football Spot, Contributor to FanSided’s Bama Hammer, and covers the WWE for WrestlingNews.co. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley, @PFSpot, @WrestlingNewsCo, @Bama_Hammer
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