Despite Recent Push, Sami Zayn's Only Chance to Succeed Is Move to WWE SmackDown

Sami Zayn's feud with Braun Strowman on WWE Raw represents something of a push for the Canadian, given his recent fortunes, but that isn't enough for him to fulfill his potential on the main roster.

For true success, a change of shows is required.

The dust has just about settled on both Raw and SmackDown since the brand split, and it's clear which stars are set for bright futures on their respective brands. For Zayn, the coming months look less promising.

He's struggled to make any kind of impression on the revamped Raw roster, and this feud with Strowman—where he looks like a good bet to lose—doesn't make things any easier.

Sure, there have been promising signs of late. The fact that he's been thrown into a feud of some meaning is a start for Zayn, and the fact that he showed some much-needed passion this past week when he took his anger out on general manager Mick Foley at least gave fans some insight into what Zayn can do.

"

Sami Zayn to Smackdown!!make it happen! What a promo by Sami!#RAW

— Isiah Madrigal (@Real_Isiah) November 29, 2016"

But that isn't enough for a guy with Zayn's potential. It's easy to see the route WWE is plotting for The Underdog from the Underground right now, and it involves exactly that: being the underdog.

But if he doesn't beat Strowman, where will he turn next? It's not an ideal situation for Zayn to be in, and that's why it's worth pulling the trigger now—put Zayn on SmackDown.

It's easy to do as well. Next week, Strowman can come out during a routine Zayn match and beat him down. While Zayn attempts to fight back, Foley can interfere and stop the brawling once again, much to Zayn's chagrin. 

Irate he's been blocked in his attempts to take down Strowman once again, Zayn could tell Foley he's going to think about heading to a place where he's appreciated and respected.

Twenty-four hours later, Daniel Bryan can emerge after TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs to declare he has a special announcement, only to be interrupted by The Miz, who, after beating Dolph Ziggler for the final time in their feud, is out of opponents.

Bryan can then say that he can think of one more: the man who was screwed at Survivor Series by Maryse and The Miz. Seeing as SmackDown is the "land of opportunity" and that Raw consistently holds its best talent back, he could decide to sign Zayn, drafting him to the blue brand in the process.

Why is this so possible? Because Bryan himself even teased it on Twitter this week:

And it's the "land of opportunity" tag that Bryan and Shane McMahon use so often that makes this a perfect move for the Canadian. He's been criminally underused on Raw over the last few months and is doing nothing on the sidelines.

Here, he'd go straight into an Intercontinental Championship feud, get regular exposure and be better appreciated by SmackDown's excellent writing team.

The blue brand has done a great job of making all titles—and all rivalries—feel worth watching on its show. This would be no different, and Zayn would instantly fit in.

Drafting him to Raw earlier this year and placing him on the company's marquee show made perfect sense at the time. But they haven't been a great fit so far, so now it's time for a move to Tuesday nights.

It could be his opportunity to become a top, breakout talent in WWE.