I cannot say enough good things about Sami Zayn as WWE Champion right now. His promo on SmackDown last night was another example of why he's becoming one of the BEST heel champions in WWE. What makes Sami so great is that he actually makes some REALLY good points. He told Punk and KO they wouldn't win MITB, and they didn't. He warned Je'Von, and Je'Von lost. He has RESULTS to back up his arrogance. I also LOVED his exchange with Trick Williams. Sami genuinely believes he's teaching Trick a lesson about respecting the WWE Champion. THAT is what makes this character so good. Sami doesn't think he's the bad guy. He thinks he's the only one who sees things clearly. I'm getting serious Daniel Bryan "Planet's Champion" vibes. Both are so convinced they're RIGHT that they don't realize how insufferable they've become. And sometimes they actually ARE right. Even congratulating Penta while subtly steering him toward Roman Reigns was brilliant manipulation. Sami has gone from the ultimate underdog to an arrogant, manipulative champion who believes he's above everyone. The character development has been INCREDIBLE. What a run. 👏

Royce Keys GETS IT. I've been watching some of his interviews outside of WWE, and the more I hear him talk, the more impressed I am with his mindset. He's confident without coming across as arrogant, understands the importance of character and presentation, and seems genuinely grateful for the opportunities he's getting. I especially loved him talking about how he stopped trying to figure out what fans wanted and started being himself. THAT'S when things began clicking. He also understands that wrestling is a team effort. It's not just about getting himself over, it's about making everyone around him better. You can tell this guy wants to be a STAR, but more importantly, he understands what it takes to become one. WWE has something special with Royce Keys. I really believe that.