Sami Zayn turns on Roman Reigns at WWE Royal Rumble

Sami Zayn had to choose between Roman Reigns and Kevin Owens, and he chose Owens.

The end of Saturday’s Royal Rumble saw Roman Reigns successfully retaining the WWE Universal Championship against Kevin Owens. After the match, all of The Bloodline entered the ring and attacked Owens, eventually putting Owens in handcuffs on the ring ropes. Reigns, with a steel chair, was about to attack Owens when Zayn stopped him, telling Reigns that it was beneath him. Reigns gave the chair to Zayn and told him to attack Owens. When Zayn hesitated, Reigns got confrontational and again ordered him to attack Owens. Zayn eventually used the chair to attack Reigns.

Zayn apologized to Jey Uso, but Jimmy Uso quickly took out Zayn with a superkick. Both Jimmy and Solo Sikoa attacked Zayn, but when it was time for Jey to take action, he paused before eventually exiting the ring. Reigns continued to attack Zayn, taking a lei and spilling flowers on Zayn before The Bloodline made their exit.

Dissension between Zayn and Reigns had been growing in recent weeks, with Reigns holding a trial for Zayn on Monday’s Raw after Zayn hesitated attacking Owens on last Friday’s SmackDown. Thanks to testimony from Jey Uso, Reigns found Zayn not guilty, but ordered him to not appear on SmackDown. Despite that order, Zayn appeared on Friday’s SmackDown after Jey had called him after The Usos were thrown out of the building. Zayn got involved in the main event, preventing Sikoa from taking a loss against Owens.