Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens delivered a WrestleMania-caliber showdown at WWE Elimination Chamber, and in doing so, they paved the way for another blockbuster clash: Owens vs. the returning Randy Orton.
In front of a raucous Toronto crowd, Owens defeated Zayn in a vicious Unsanctioned Match, adding another brutal chapter to their long-running rivalry. For weeks, it seemed like Owens and Zayn were on a collision course for WrestleMania 41 in Las Vegas. Instead, WWE opted for a high-stakes showdown between two of Canada’s most beloved stars in their home country—a decision that, judging by the electric crowd reaction, paid off in full.
Despite his loss to Cody Rhodes at the Royal Rumble, Owens has been thriving in his new role as a ruthless former babyface-turned-heel. His recent string of betrayals—turning on Zayn, Rhodes, and Orton—has positioned him as one of WWE’s most compelling villains. But his latest win came with an unexpected consequence: the return of Randy Orton.
The Viper Strikes
After securing victory over Zayn, Owens wasn’t finished. He prepared to continue his assault when Orton’s music hit, sending the Toronto crowd into a frenzy. “The Viper” stormed the ring, unloading on Owens before WWE officials intervened to prevent a devastating punt kick.
With that, Owens vs. Orton at WrestleMania 41 was all but confirmed.
Orton, who had been sidelined with a storyline injury following an attack by Owens last year, was originally rumored for a Royal Rumble return. That never materialized, but his surprise appearance at Elimination Chamber more than made up for the wait. Now, with Orton set on revenge, his WrestleMania match against Owens instantly becomes one of the most anticipated non-title bouts on the card.
The Fallout for Sami Zayn
While the Owens-Orton rivalry heats up, Zayn’s road to WrestleMania remains uncertain. It’s an unfortunate reality for a performer who has been a cornerstone of WWE programming and one of the company’s most consistent and relatable stars.
A WrestleMania clash between Zayn and Owens would have been a logical move, but WWE opted to run that match in Toronto instead. As expected, they delivered an instant classic—one that would have been just as spectacular under the bright lights of Las Vegas.
Yet, WWE clearly sees Orton as the bigger star in this equation. Despite years of proving himself as a main-event talent, Zayn still hasn’t captured world championship gold. His ability to stay relevant without a title is both a testament to his talent and a frustrating reminder of his underutilization at the top.
What’s Next for Zayn?
Owens needed his Elimination Chamber win to regain momentum after recent high-profile losses to Cody Rhodes. And Zayn, beloved by WWE fans, was the ideal opponent to take the fall—because if anyone can bounce back, it’s him.
But with Owens now moving on to Orton, where does that leave Zayn? WWE has hinted at a possible feud with Karrion Kross, but given Kross’ struggles to connect with the audience, that would feel like a major step down for Zayn.
Owens is getting another marquee match at WrestleMania. Zayn should get one, too.
Unfortunately, the WrestleMania table only has so many seats, and this year, Zayn might find himself fighting for scraps.
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