The Revival of Sami Zayn: How to Make WWE Star Relevant Again

The Sami Zayn ship is taking on water.

Despite being one of the most captivating babyfaces on the WWE roster and a world-class storyteller in the ring, Zayn sits on a low tier on SmackDown. A move from Raw hasn't changed things. The company still undervalues and underutilizes him.

The Underdog from the Underground didn't make the SummerSlam card in August.

He hasn't won a single championship since moving to the main roster early last year. He hasn't had a sustained feud in months. And his win-loss record has put a halt to him gaining any momentum.

Zayn is in the midst of a five-match losing streak and boasts just a .371 winning percentage for the year, per CageMatch.net.

How can WWE change all this around? How can Zayn go charging up the ranks and be a more central figure on the blue brand, calling back to the days when he was the magnetic cornerstone of NXT?

Some big victories would help. As would a story that showcased his heart and guts each week. And letting Zayn taste gold is paramount.

Read on for a look at a potential plan to revamp Zayn, one that begins with an old foe and ends with a new prize in hand. 

Zayn Bears His Heart

We got a glimpse of how great Zayn can be on Tuesday's SmackDown. In his tense exchange with Kevin Owens, he made it clear he would take no shortcuts to success and that he would do things the right way. 

Zayn has to have another speech like this, but this time one where he doesn't share the spotlight.

The best bet for the former NXT champion is a story of redemption, where he offsets the biggest losses of his career with a winning streak. To emphasize the emotional elements of that narrative, we need to hear him clearly lay out his goal of being a champion again.

We need him to lament his losses and show self-doubt. A vulnerable babyface is a compelling babyface.

SmackDown needs to clear the proper space for Zayn to bear his soul to fans as he promises to not let them down again.

The Domination of Aiden English

Credit: WWE.com

Before Zayn can even be a part of any title contention conversation, he needs to squash a bug that's been irritating him.

The Quebec native has twice lost to Aiden English of all people in the past few weeks. The defeats were painted as embarrassing upsets.

WWE would be smart to not only have Zayn balance those out with wins but to allow Zayn to do it emphatically. We need to see that he's not a low-card talent like English. Zayn should steamroll The Artiste, showing more fire than normal en route to quick wins.

This would make it clear that he and English are on completely different tiers.

Toughness on Display Against Luke Harper

Credit: WWE.com

For the most part, Zayn's job has been to be the punching bag for bigger, badder men. He struggled to stay on his feet against the monstrous Braun Strowman. Baron Corbin later beat up on him.

Zayn's next run-in with a Goliath should end more favorably.

A run-in with Luke Harper backstage could give The Underdog from the Underground a new enemy. At first, the former Wyatt Family member should have the upper hand to set up a Zayn comeback. Harper could anger the babyface to the point that he foolhardily marches into a Street Fight with the larger foe.

This is where Zayn could suffer some major damage, flying through tables and the security barricade. Seeing the former NXT champ rise, despite all of that, would be inspiring. And this time, David would emerge the victor, looking tough as nails in the process.

A Near-Win at the Royal Rumble

Credit: WWE.com

By the time January rolls around, Zayn should have a substantial win streak going. The annual Royal Rumble match that month would present a major opportunity to crank up his momentum.

Zayn should enter the 30-man Battle Royal first. Despite being in the most unenviable of positions, he would fight with a seething passion to stay in the match. He can knock down ghosts of his past by eliminating the likes of The Miz, Owens and—perhaps with help—Strowman.

Giving Zayn the "Iron Man" title for the bout would be a powerful moral victory. Allowing him to be one of the final four men standing would be a signal to take him seriously.

Plus, a touch of heartbreak in the final moments of the match would make his eventual triumph that much more rewarding to watch.

A Champion Again

Credit: WWE.com

After the Royal Rumble, SmackDown officials should announce there will be a tournament to decide who will face AJ Styles for the United States Championship at WrestleMania 34 on April 8.

The move would give the brand weeks worth of high-stakes matches and make the U.S. title match feel like a huge deal. Plus, WWE could throw a bit of a curveball.

The Underdog from the Underground could beat big names like Randy Orton and Shelton Benjamin as he scrapped his way to becoming the No. 1 contender.

Styles vs. Zayn is a surprising matchup as both men are babyfaces. But WWE could play this up as a friendly contest and showcase much the way Zayn vs. Shinsuke Nakamura at NXT TakeOver: Dallas was. And the company would be assured of a show-stealer.

Should Zayn follow up his previous wins, his battle with Harper and his showing at the Royal Rumble with a world-class performance en route to dethroning Styles, he would begin the post-WrestleMania part of the year a new man. The audience would be buzzing about him. And he'd be only a step or two away from being in the world title mix whenever WWE was ready to make that move.

Zayn persevering and going on a red-hot run would light years ahead of what he's doing right now.