In the main event of Monday’s episode of WWE RAW, Sami Zayn faced off against Drew McIntyre in a losing effort.
Following the match, Zayn cut a promo to thank the crowd in Tampa, FL and talk about the significance of the show taking place there.
You can check out some highlights from the post-show segment below:
On making the appearance in Tampa: “Not gonna lie, physically I’m not feeling too good at the moment. I’ve sat on the shelf [for] the better part of two months, and I was really visualizing coming back. I was hurt — I’ve been hurt, but I was hurt, and I didn’t know when I would come back, exactly. But, I did have one date circled on my calendar that I absolutely wanted to be back for, and it is tonight: Monday Night Raw in Tampa! Some of you know this, some of you don’t. But some of the very best — the guys who are main-eventing every PLE, the guys who main-event every Monday night on Raw, the guys that are gonna main-event WrestleMania — every one of them had to move to Tampa, Florida! When they first came to WWE, they wanted to learn this craft — we all, all of us, had to come live in Tampa, Florida. And for almost a year, I was proud and I was happy to call my hometown of Tampa, Florida.”
On the significance of the show taking place there: “And there’s a reason that it was in Tampa, Florida. It’s because every single one of you, through years, and years, and years, and years, of coming to these shows — years and years and years of using your voice, of cheering us on, of supporting us — every single one of you made this a wrestling town!”
“I’m not gonna go on and on about the time I lived in Florida, and the many wonderful, wonderful memories I carry from living in Tampa. All I’m gonna say is that it is a sincere honor, and it is a sincere pleasure, and a privilege to be able to walk out here and perform for every single one of you here tonight. Tampa, we love you. Thank you for your support! Thank you, thank you, thank you!”
Sami Zayn addresses the Tampa crowd after #WWERaw went off the air. pic.twitter.com/pZRFuXRfq0
— Rhys 🏴 (@RhystleMania) January 30, 2024
In the main event of Monday’s episode of WWE RAW, Sami Zayn faced off against Drew McIntyre in a losing effort. However, following the match, Zayn took the opportunity to address the crowd in Tampa, FL and express his gratitude for the significance of the show taking place there.
Zayn began by acknowledging that he was not feeling physically well after being sidelined for two months. He explained that he had been eagerly anticipating his return and had circled the date of Monday Night Raw in Tampa on his calendar. Zayn revealed that Tampa held a special place in his heart because it was where many of the top WWE superstars had to relocate to when they first joined the company. For almost a year, Zayn proudly called Tampa his hometown.
The significance of the show being held in Tampa was not lost on Zayn. He attributed it to the unwavering support and dedication of the fans over the years. Zayn recognized that it was the fans’ voices and cheers that had transformed Tampa into a wrestling town. He expressed his sincere honor, pleasure, and privilege to be able to perform for the Tampa crowd that night.
Zayn concluded his heartfelt speech by thanking the fans for their support and expressing his love for Tampa. He emphasized that it was not necessary for him to delve into his personal memories of living in Florida because his gratitude and appreciation for the city were genuine and heartfelt.
The post-show segment featuring Zayn’s speech was captured on video and shared on social media platforms, garnering positive reactions from fans. The video showcased Zayn’s genuine connection with the crowd and his appreciation for their role in making Tampa a wrestling town.
Overall, Zayn’s address to the Tampa crowd served as a reminder of the symbiotic relationship between wrestlers and their fans. It highlighted the impact that fans can have on creating a vibrant wrestling community in a particular city. Zayn’s words resonated with the audience and demonstrated the deep bond that exists between wrestlers and their loyal supporters.