Sami Zayn Sums Up His WWE Night Of Champions Experience In One Word
Sami Zayn headed to Saudi Arabia with WWE for the first time since 2014 for this past Saturday's Night of Champions premium live event. The former "Honorary Uce" opted to participate in the show following the resumption of diplomatic ties between Saudi Arabia and Syria — Zayn is of Syrian descent. At the Jeddah Super Dome, Zayn and Owens defeated Roman Reigns and Solo Sikoa to retain the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship. The 38-year-old, who wore a thobe — a traditional Arabian garb — to the ring and did his own introduction in Arabic, has described appearing at Night of Champions as "special" on social media. Zayn also posted a 25-second clip of his entrance from the event with his post.
Special. pic.twitter.com/KcrasqXebT
— Sami Zayn (@SamiZayn) May 29, 2023
The last time Zayn made his entrance in Saudi Arabia was at The Green Halls Stadium in Riyadh on April 19, 2014, where he went on to defeat Heath Slater in singles action. Zayn had not appeared at WWE's Saudi events since then because of the Kingdom's strained relationship with Syria. Diplomatic ties between the two nations resumed earlier this month. It was announced that Zayn and his longtime friend Owens would defend the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship in Saudi Arabia just days after that news emerged.
After arriving in Saudi for the first time in over nine years, Zayn completed Umrah, which is an Islamic pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca that can be undertaken at any stage throughout the year. Zayn said on social media that completing Umrah was now at the "top" of his list out of all of the things he's experienced around the world while being a professional wrestler.