WWE Superstar Sami Zayn opened up about the “profound” impact Saudi Arabia has had on his storied wrestling career.

As Zayn prepares to defend his Intercontinental Championship at this weekend’s WWE King and Queen of the Ring event in Jeddah, he reflected on his journey from signing with WWE in 2013 to winning championship gold at the WrestleMania 40 earlier this year, in an interview with Arab News.

Zayn, who was born in Canada to Syrian parents, expressed a deep sense of cultural connection to Saudi Arabia, describing it as feeling “like home, even though it’s not home.”

He first visited the Kingdom in 2014 during the early days of WWE’s partnership with Saudi sports authorities.

Zayn in the interview emphasised the importance of creating memorable moments that resonate with fans long after the event.

As Saudi Arabia continues to open up and embrace sports and entertainment, Zayn believes the prospects for aspiring Arab wrestlers have never been better. He credited WWE’s increased presence in the region for fostering a sense of connectivity and inspiration for the next generation.

“Now, because of the fact that we run shows in Saudi and we have this partnership with Saudi Arabia and we’re more connected to the region, if you’re an Arab kid or a young man with a dream of chasing this, becoming a wrestler or the WWE or whatever it is, it’s much more attainable than it’s ever been,” Zayn said.

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Looking ahead, Zayn remains focused on telling compelling stories and creating emotional connections with the audience. While he aspires to eventually capture a world championship, he is content to continue evolving as a performer and leaving a lasting impact on the fans.