4 Signs that Triple H has given up on 41-year old WWE SmackDown star

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While some fans are happy with Rhodes getting another shot, the booking has greatly affected Sami Zayn. The next four signs show that Triple H has given up on Sami Zayn.

#4. Got obliterated at the Royal Rumble

Zayn earned a shot at Drew McIntyre at the 2026 Royal Rumble in Saudi Arabia. The decision was likely because The Underdog of the Underground is extremely popular in the country.

Despite getting a featured bout on the card, the outcome was the same for Zayn against The Scottish Warrior – he lost. He put up a valiant effort, but McIntyre didn’t even need to cheat to win.

That loss was Zayn’s 12th defeat at the hands of McIntyre. The Champ has resorted to cheating against Rhodes and attacked Fatu several times.

#3. Feuding with WWE newcomers ahead of WrestleMania 42

One big sign that Triple H doesn’t have big plans for someone like Zayn is who he’s feuding with. While he was involved in two big matches with title opportunities, he failed in both attempts.

Those matches also coincided with Zayn feuding with newly promoted Trick Williams. Williams is a former two-time NXT Champion and was heavily pushed over the last three years.

If Sami were a factor in big plans, he’d be mixing it up with names closer to the main event. Williams is being booked strongly due to his newness.

He’ll get a shot to qualify for the Chamber next week. That booking is essentially similar for two stars at different points in their WWE careers.

#2. Failed to qualify for the Elimination Chamber

Part of the problem with how WWE structured Chamber qualifiers is two-fold. One issue is using triple threats. It allows for outside interference, like in Zayn’s match against Fatu and Rhodes.

The second issue is who the bookers put in each triple threat. Once Zayn’s qualifier was announced, his chances of winning were slim to none. Even McIntyre’s interference on his behalf wasn’t enough since Cody pinned him.

Zayn’s odds would have increased had stars like Damian Priest or the Miz been in the match instead of the two main names feuding with the Champion. He was in the match to take the pin because of how the triple threat was constructed.

#1. Reluctance to complete his story like Jey Uso and Cody Rhodes

Some of WWE’s better stories are underdogs completing their journey to being considered worthy of being a major champion. Cody Rhodes was always going to beat Roman Reigns, but it took two years.

Daniel Bryan’s journey a decade ago was one of the best instances. Sami Zayn has never held a major title despite several shots over the last eight years. 2025 saw Jey Uso, long a tag team wrestler, join the ranks of World Champions.

His reign was underwhelming, but Triple H still opted to go with The Yeet Master over someone like Zayn. Even planting the seeds in promos over the last two years hasn’t led to any payoff for Zayn and his fans.