Sami Zayn Speaks Out on Taking a Move That Was Previously Banned

Kevin Owens has officially brought the piledriver back to WWE, and Sami Zayn is feeling the effects—literally.

After Owens delivered the banned move to Randy Orton in November 2024, it was clear WWE was loosening its restrictions on the maneuver. Now, Owens has unleashed it on his former best friend, and Zayn had a lot to say about how it felt.

Speaking on the FN Barn Burner podcast, Zayn admitted that taking the move at 40 years old is a completely different experience compared to their independent wrestling days.

“Oh my god. Yeah, different ball game. I felt things in my spine that I’d never felt taking that move. And you know, I used to take that move a lot in my early 20s. My entire 20s, actually, was just me taking that move pretty much. [It] felt very different at 40, no question.”

The longtime friends-turned-rivals are set to collide in an unsanctioned match at WWE Elimination Chamber in Toronto on March 1, 2025. But despite all the bad blood, Zayn admitted that he can never fully rule out a reunion with Owens down the line.

“Look, I’ve said before no and I’ve been wrong. So I don’t know, maybe I’m just being emotional when I’m saying ‘No no, this is it, this is it for real.’ And you know maybe 3-4 years pass, and you kind of start to overlook things.”

“It’s just kind of how life is, I feel. I don’t know, never say never. I’ve learned that by now. But I don’t know. Right now we’ve got an issue, and it’s time to solve it.”

Meanwhile, Mark Henry has gone on record suggesting that WWE should fine superstars for using the piledriver, given its dangerous history. Owens, however, doesn’t seem to care—he even hit Cody Rhodes with a package piledriver at WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event in December 2024.

With the Elimination Chamber unsanctioned match looming, will Sami Zayn survive another piledriver from Owens, or will he finally put their feud to rest? Drop your predictions in the comments!