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Backstage Update on Plans for Sami Zayn at WWE Elimination Chamber, Why He’s Not Headlining WrestleMania 39

January 31, 2023 | Posted by Jeffrey Harris
WWE Royal Rumble 2023 - Roman Reigns Sami Zayn The Bloodline Image Credit: BT Sport, WWE

– During today’s edition of Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer discussed WWE’s plans for Sami Zayn and Roman Reigns ahead of WrestleMania 39. According to Meltzer, Roman Reigns vs. Sami Zayn for the title is currently the plan for WWE Elimination Chamber 2023. The event is being held in February in Montreal, Quebec, which will be a hometown crowd for Zayn.

According to Meltzer, Zayn is serving as the “setup guy” for Reigns vs. Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 39. Meltzer also stated that Zayn vs. Reigns in Montreal for Elimination “has been the plan all along.” Meltzer noted that while WWE did not plan on Sami Zayn becoming so hot and over during his storyline with Roman Reigns, the creative team opted not to make a change for WrestleMania by adding in Sami Zayn to the title mix.

Meltzer continued, “They didn’t make a change because they decided not to change plans, and they don’t see Sami Zayn as the guy to main event WrestleMania.” It was previously rumored that neither Triple H or Vince McMahon view Sami Zayn someone who could “the face of the company.”

Meanwhile, WWE officials did reportedly see Cody Rhodes as a name who could main event WrestleMania, even though Cody is essentially the backup since WWE was not able to make Reigns vs. The Rock happen at WrestleMania 39 or a rumored matchup between Reigns and Stone Cold Steve Austin. Meltzer noted that Cody was seen as a potential name to headline WrestleMania since he came in. His injury slightly changed the “trajectory,” but he’s remained the backup if a Reigns vs. Rock match could not be signed.

Roman Reigns vs. Cody Rhodes is currently scheduled to headline WrestleMania 39 for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship. The event will take place over two nights on April 2-3 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. It will be broadcast live on Peacock in the US and the WWE Network everywhere else. WWE Elimination Chamber 2023 is scheduled for February 18 at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec.