Sami Zayn: I Don’t Discount Social Media, But The Real Truth Is The Reaction In The Arena
Sami Zayn comments on the online reactions.
Sami Zayn earned a shot at Gunther and the WWE Intercontinental Championship by winning a gauntlet match on the March 11th episode of WWE Raw. Zayn last pinned Chad Gable in gauntlet match, which drew some backlash online as fans were behind Gable and his story to dethrone Gunther.
Speaking to Sean Campbell and Mitch Gallo on Habs Lunch, Zayn was asked how much stock he puts into social media commentary.
“You’ll notice that the live house, including on television, and not just television, but when you go town to town, to me, that’s where my bread is buttered. Those are the people I cater to. It’s not always 100% in line with the slightly more fickle or opinionated voices that you’re going to hear on social media. Social media’s whole function in ‘voice your opinion.’ One must construct an opinion. In doing so, it’s inherently meant to be contrarian or controversial or whatever. You’re meant to be opinionated, whereas when you’re watching a live show or on television, you’re meant to consume it. I cater to consumption. I’m the entertainer, I’m the performer, and the viewer is the consumer of that performance. Afterwards, online, is the oppinionate aspect of it. To me, the real truth is in the live reaction.
“For example, in my storyline with Gunther, because it was an interesting storyline where there was another good guy in competition for that match in Chad Gable, the online reaction was a little surprising of, ‘ah man, we really want to see Chad Gable,’ which is true and he does get great responses, but arena to arena, you’re not getting negative backlash. They’re excited to see what they’re going to see. There is zero doubt in my mind that when I’m in the ring with Gunther at WrestleMania, they’re going to be behind me, excited to watch that match, and be along for the ride. At the end of the day, I’m not one of these people that discount social media, I think there is a lot of validity to listening to that audience, to an extent, I don’t think it’s necessarily the hill you want to die on. I think the more honest reaction and what you truly need to judge by is the reaction in the arena night in and night out. That’s where the real truth is. I’m not poo-pooing the internet or social media, I think it’s very important and should be respected, but when it comes down to it, how are the people in the seats in the arenas, how are they reacting? I think that’s the most important thing.”
On WWE television, Gable has tried to get into Sami’s head by saying that he can’t beat Gunther.
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