In an interview with SportsKeeda, Sami Zayn spoke about how difficult it was telling Vince McMahon he wanted time off last year. Zayn was the Intercontinental champion until the pandemic hit, then he vanished from television. He returned with the Thunderdome and has been back ever since.
He said: “Now, we know so much more about COVID-19, we know so much more about the pandemic and everything. But at the time in March, there was a lot of uncertainty. We really didn’t know what the deal was, and I had some family circumstances that, at the time, it made sense to not go in. Wrestlers are already hardwired not to say no, you give me a task and I’m gonna nail it, that sort of… there’s a pride to the performer in that.
So, anytime, you opt out of something, it’s already difficult enough, and then on top of it, on the biggest stage imaginable. I mean, I would have trouble turning down independent bookings for 200 bucks, let alone, telling Vince McMahon, I can’t come into work, it was extremely, extremely difficult for so many reasons.“
