Sami Zayn's Best Route to WWE Main Roster Success Runs Through Kevin Owens

Sami Zayn made his surprising return to Monday Night Raw on March 7. The former NXT champion saved Neville from a post-match attack at the hands of Kevin Owens, which sparked a brawl in the ring. The return was shocking but completely logical at the same time.

This is Sami's road to the main roster, and it goes right through Owens.

It was perfect timing on WWE's part. KO has been playing the part of the bully from the moment he debuted on Raw, and everyone he's worked has felt the effects of it. From John Cena, to Dolph Ziggler, to Dean Ambrose, each man has been pushed around and taken to the limit.

Sami experienced that same bullying in NXT, as did Finn Balor, who reacted to Zayn's return on Twitter:

Owens' feud with Zayn was that of two former best friends turned bitter enemies. Owens had betrayed Zayn and tried to end his career; Sami fought through injury to recover and come back better than ever. The problem is, he never really got revenge.

Owens went from NXT to Raw and left his former ally behind.

The whole time KO has been bashing and bruising on Monday nights, Zayn has been waiting. He's been biding his time until the right moment, when he could finally make his presence known. Sami knows what Owens is capable of, so he had to be ready to go.

WWE also knows what sells a match, so this comeback had to be timed just right.

Owens' history of crimes and misdemeanors on the main roster had to build first. He had to get over as a top heel, and the crowd had to witness it all. It had to be known that Owens had no remorse, he had no mercy and he had no backbone. 

KO fights on his own terms, and no one can force his hand.

Many fans respect him, and many fans support him to the point of wanting to see him climb the ladder. He gets it done in the ring, and he is a throwback to the old-school style of wrestling. But no matter how many want to see him succeed, he is still over with the live crowds as a heel, and that is thanks to all the work that's been done since he arrived on the main roster.

When an antagonist is that strong and that hated, the first man to knock him back on his heels will be the hero.

That is exactly what Sami did on Raw. He took the fight straight to Owens, finally giving him a taste of what he has been dealing out for months. Sami was fearless, he was intense, and he was ready for vengeance on the man who once put him out of action. 

Now that the groundwork has been laid and the Raw comeback has happened, all that's left is to book WrestleMania.

If Sami has indeed officially made the jump to the main roster, then the next few weeks should lead to a showdown between him and Owens on April 3. 

Raw is the next logical step for Zayn, this is what he's earned over an entire career on the independent scene as well as his stint in NXT. Of all the talents in the Florida-based promotion, Zayn is arguably the most prepared for the bright lights and the most prepared in terms of what WWE is looking for.

He's athletic, he's charismatic and he is able to connect to the crowd in a very real way. Fans want to see Sami do well and likely respect him as much as they do Owens. 

Zayn can be the first guy since The Shield to come in and truly make an impact, to climb up and realize main event stardom. If this past year has shown fans anything, it's that injuries can happen at any moment, and the main event rotation desperately needs some fresh blood. 

That could be exactly what Aiden English was alluding to with his "movement" tweet.

Sami is in the right place at the right time, and maybe that's exactly the way WWE planned it. Maybe this time the booking was on point, instead of just being random. Maybe WWE Creative is finally opening the door for a new main event threat to come in and make an impact.

Owens is the man to make that happen.

Again, Owens' character is the key. He is the monster heel who bullies everyone he comes into contact with. No one wants to see the bully win, so all of the hate leveled at him will transfer in a positive direction to the guy trying to stop him.

Zayn will get over, thanks to Owens' heat as the despicable villain. The Chicago crowd popped for Sami on Raw; that is just the beginning of what's to come for him in this rivalry.

Sami must make a statement during his first run on the main roster; beating Owens for the Intercontinental Championship at WrestleMania is the best statement he could possibly make. This will be a must-watch feud, one that will see a new star built in Sami Zayn and another star strengthened in Kevin Owens.

The bully has finally met his match, and it's only going to get better from here.

Tom Clark can regularly be found on Bleacher Report. His podcast, Tom Clark's Main Event, is available on iTunes, Google Play, Amazon Android, Windows Phone and online here