Sami Zayn’s RAW match with WWE United States Champion John Cena this week was laid out, with Bret Hart’s involvement, for Zayn to lose but get over as a big star in front of an audience where it was considered a lock that they would react in a big way for him.
This was not meant to be Zayn’s full-time debut on the main roster but he was scheduled to wrestle on this week’s SmackDown. Due to the injury suffered at RAW, SmackDown had to be re-written without the former NXT Champion.
Regarding the injury that happened before Zayn entered the ring on Monday night, there’s still no official word on his status but one source noted to The Wrestling Observer Newsletter that it appeared to be serious. There was reportedly talk in the locker room on Tuesday night that Zayn would be out of action for a few months. Two other sources said WWE had not received a report back from the doctor yet.
If Zayn is out of action for a few months, they would have to nix his match against NXT Champion Kevin Owens at Takeover: Unstoppable on May 20th. This could lead to Finn Balor or Hideo Itami, who will face Tyler Breeze in a #1 Contenders Triple Threat that night, getting the shot against Owens.
Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter