Sami Zayn
Sami Zayn is a Canadian WWE wrestler of Syrian descent, a two-time WWE Champion and the founder of the Sami for Syria medical fundraising campaign.
At 100 nudges, fangea sends Sami’s team an official invite.
🔒 Star boosts open once Sami claims this page.
Latest
Sami’s happenings, collected from public sources, plus his backstory and Starbook, where fans write.
Known for
WWE
WWE
WWE
WWEOverview
- From
- Laval, Quebec, Canada
- Born
- July 12, 1984
- Started wrestling
- 2002
- NXT breakthrough
- Won the NXT Championship at TakeOver: R Evolution in 2014
- Signature move
- Helluva Kick
Mini bio
How it started.
Born Rami Sebei in Laval, Quebec, Sami began wrestling in 2002. Before WWE, he built his career as the masked El Generico on the independent circuit. IWS founder Crazy Manny remembers him sweeping the ring and practicing before shows.
Finding his place in WWE.
Sami arrived on NXT television in 2013, beating Curt Hawkins and then Cesaro on his debut episode. His pursuit of the NXT Championship culminated in a victory over Adrian Neville at TakeOver: R Evolution in December 2014. In May 2015, Bret Hart introduced him to his hometown Montreal crowd before he challenged John Cena on Raw.
The matches fans remember.
His Bloodline storyline led to a title challenge against Roman Reigns in Montreal at Elimination Chamber 2023. He then reunited with Kevin Owens to beat The Usos in the WrestleMania 39 Saturday main event. At WrestleMania XL, he ended Gunther’s 666-day Intercontinental Championship reign. In June 2026, he captured his first WWE Championship at Night of Champions.
Beyond the ring.
In July 2017, Sami launched Sami for Syria with the Syrian American Medical Society to fund mobile medical care for people unable to reach it. SAMS describes the partnership as supporting two clinics serving displaced families. He has also taken his sense of humor to the stage with the Sami Zayn & Friends comedy and variety shows.
Creditschronological, newest first
Wrestling
- 2026Night of ChampionsWon his first Undisputed WWE Championship
- 2024WrestleMania XLDefeated Gunther for the Intercontinental Championship
- 2023WrestleMania 39 SaturdayTag team main event winner with Kevin Owens
- 2015Raw in MontrealChallenged John Cena after an introduction by Bret Hart
- 2014NXT TakeOver: R EvolutionWon the NXT Championship against Adrian Neville
Live comedy
- 2024Sami Zayn & Friends Do ClevelandHost of a comedy and variety show
Humanitarian work
- 2017Sami for SyriaLaunched a mobile medical clinic fundraiser with SAMS
Awards
Quotes
I really felt like it was time to actually do something.Sami Zayn, Sports Illustrated
In a September 2017 interview about starting Sami for Syria, he explained why he wanted to turn concern for the country into practical help.
Trivia
- His Helluva Kick is listed as his signature move in WWE’s official profile.
- Bret Hart introduced him before his 2015 Raw match against John Cena in Montreal.
- Before WWE, he wrestled under a mask as El Generico.
- Sami Zayn & Friends Do Cleveland mixed guests from comedy, television and WWE.
Find Sami
Follow Sami for matches, life on the road and Sami for Syria updates.
Are you Sami Zayn?
Fans built this page. Claim it to connect with them and unlock Star boosts, or request a takedown if you’d rather it not exist.