JBL says WWE SmackDown star fully deserves world title
John “Bradshaw” Layfield isn’t mincing words. On a recent episode of Something To Wrestle, JBL said Sami Zayn has done enough to be holding a world championship by now. Zayn has ticked nearly every box there is, from delivering consistent top-tier matches to connecting deeply with the crowd, yet the ultimate prize has stayed out of his reach. JBL couldn’t wrap his head around why someone who’s been this good for this long hasn’t been trusted with the company’s biggest title.
Zayn’s career speaks for itself. He’s held the Intercontinental Championship, captured the United States Title from Solo Sikoa, and picked up tag team gold along the way. He’s also a former NXT Champion, which only adds to the list of milestones. Still, the one accolade missing from his résumé is a world title, and JBL made it clear he believes it’s long overdue.

Why Now Might Be Zayn’s Moment
Zayn isn’t just surviving in WWE; he’s thriving. He’s been putting on standout matches for years, elevating every storyline he’s part of, and pulling the crowd into every single promo. Even when he’s slotted into mid-card feuds, he makes them feel like main events. That kind of consistency doesn’t come around often, and JBL thinks WWE should capitalize on it before the window closes.
JBL said Zayn has been “right at the edge” of world title status for a while. In his view, there’s no doubt Zayn will eventually get there and he should. For JBL, it’s not a matter of if Zayn becomes world champion, but when. And looking at the way the SmackDown roster is shaping up, that “when” could be sooner rather than later.