Wrestling fans in Kansas City, MO, were under scrutiny after this week’s episode of Raw.
On Monday, Sami Zayn confronted Seth Rollins, calling him a hypocrite after Rollins aligned with Paul Heyman and Bron Breakker. In response, Rollins, a close friend of Zayn, made him an offer. He said if Zayn didn’t back his cause, he could either go to SmackDown or face the consequences. Rollins’ offer to switch shows also came with a tempting bonus: a world title match for Zayn against the winner of John Cena vs. Randy Orton after Backlash.
Zayn chose to stay on Raw and oppose Rollins, leading to a brutal match against Breakker. Zayn was repeatedly speared until the referee stopped the contest. Meanwhile, the fans in Kansas City chanted, “One More Time,” encouraging Breakker to deliver another spear.
The crowd’s mood shifted dramatically during the match. Fans went from cheering for Zayn to rooting for his demise. The abrupt switch confused many viewers, as they shared their concerns about the Missouri faithful online.
“So did Rollins and Breakker go babyface? Or have the fans turned heel?” asked noted author and wrestling historian Brian R. Solomon. “Whatever it is, it must be fun live, but it makes for a muddled, wishy-washy and confusing television product.”
Others were less charitable in their observations, with one fan blasting, “KC fans are still Dirt bags… Not only was crowd dead all night, chanting one more time with the best face crippled in the ring is expected from that DB KC loserville.”
“Sami Zayn is as beloved as a babyface can get,” remarked another fan. “And this Kansas City crowd chant ‘One More Time’ for Breakker to destroy him and then sing Rollins’ song. Is it even possible to be a good guy in pro wrestling today?”
It’s hard to say why fans turned against Zayn. However, several issues seem to play a role.
First, Zayn framed his conflict with Rollins as a career threat. While dramatic, he appears sensitive or out of touch with reality. That stands in stark contrast to Rollins, who comes across as a practical figure who understands the business.
Additionally, Rollins is who he says he is: a visionary. Despite his alliance with the questionable but successful Heyman and the ruthless Breakker, Rollins sees the bigger picture. In contrast, Zayn appears stuck in frustration. He is unwilling to make the sacrifices needed to win, much like Cody Rhodes, whose hesitation at WrestleMania 41 cost him the Undisputed WWE Title.
Another factor to consider is the crowd’s long-term memory. In standing up to Rollins, Zayn challenged him with a pointed question that tapped into their history: “For as long as you’ve known me, Seth, have you ever, ever known me to run away?”
This would imply that Zayn has never shied away from a challenge or backed down in the face of danger. However, that is simply not true.
In 2021, Zayn was the number-one contender for the Universal Championship. Brock Lesnar, a clear supporter, urged him to challenge Roman Reigns immediately instead of waiting for WWE’s next premium live event. Zayn hesitated, making excuses rather than seizing the opportunity. He eventually agreed, but only after aggressive persuasion from Lesnar.
Yet, perhaps the simplest explanation, as Occam’s Razor suggests, is the best one. Why did fans root for Zayn’s total annihilation? Because Bron Breakker is a badass, and watching him wreck people is an absolute thrill, heel or babyface persona be damned.
As an educated aficionado of 40 years, that’s my guess.
What’s yours, Cagesiders? What did you make of Kansas City cheering and then booing Sami Zayn? Let’s chat in the comments section.
