Sami Zayn Returns to WWE Programming at Royal Rumble 2016

It's been almost eight months since the last time Sami Zayn was in action in a WWE ring, but the high-flying NXT star made his return to WWE programming on Sunday in the Royal Rumble match as the No. 20 entrant.

WWE posted this picture on its Instagram before Zayn made his way to the ring:   

Zayn made his return to NXT a few weeks ago and will take part in a No. 1 contender's Triple Threat match for the NXT Championship against Samoa Joe and Baron Corbin.

The last time Zayn was in a WWE ring he faced John Cena for the United States Championship on the May 4 edition of Raw. Zayn put on an amazing match but fell just short of becoming the champion as Cena retained.

Just a few weeks later, Zayn underwent shoulder surgery and was out until Dec. 16, when he made his in-ring return at NXT Takeover in London. 

Zayn was eliminated by Wyatt Family member Braun Strowman. Bleacher Report's Mike Chiari commented on this shocking development and was not pleased: 

It was good to see Zayn back in a WWE ring, and so far he looks better than ever. If he can stay healthy, he'll be a mainstay on the main card and be a new face to garner some excitement.