Sami Zayn

Rami Sebei (born July 12, 1984) is a Canadian professional wrestler. He is signed to WWE, where he performs on the Raw brand under the ring name Sami Zayn.

Sebei made his professional wrestling debut in 2002 under the ring name Stevie McFly. Prior to joining WWE, he competed for Montreal-based promotion International Wrestling Syndicate (IWS), where he became a two-time IWS World Heavyweight Champion, and achieved breakout success in the United States with Los Angeles-based promotion Pro Wrestling Guerrilla (PWG) and then-Philadelphia-based promotion Ring of Honor (ROH), all under the ring name El Generico, using the character of a ''luchador'' from Mexico with the catchphrase "Olé!". He wrestled while masked from 2002 to 2013. During his time in PWG, Sebei became a two-time PWG World Champion and five-time PWG World Tag Team Champion. He is the only person to have won both of PWG's annual tournaments, the Dynamite Duumvirate Tag Team Title Tournament in 2010 and the Battle of Los Angeles in 2011. In ROH, he held the ROH World Television Championship and the ROH World Tag Team Championship as part of a team with Kevin Steen, with whom he later earned the 2010 Feud of the Year award from the ''Wrestling Observer Newsletter''. He has also performed in Chikara and Evolve. Sebei also competed internationally for Westside Xtreme Wrestling (wXw) in Germany, where he won the wXw Unified World Wrestling Championship, and in Japan for DDT Pro-Wrestling and Dragon Gate (as well as its American branch), having won the KO-D Openweight Championship in the former promotion.

Upon signing with WWE in 2013, he took on the ring name Sami Zayn and began wrestling without a mask in WWE's developmental brand NXT, where he won the NXT Championship. After being promoted to the main roster, he became a four-time WWE Intercontinental Champion. From April 2022 to January 2023, he was involved with The Bloodline faction. In addition to his other WWE accomplishments, Sebei also headlined several pay-per-view events, including WrestleMania 39, where he became one half of the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions (the Raw and SmackDown Tag Team Championships) alongside Kevin Owens.

Early life

Rami Sebei was born on July 12, 1984 in Laval, Quebec, Canada, to Syrian migrants who relocated from Homs to Laval in the 1970s.

Professional wrestling career

International Wrestling Syndicate (2002–2009)

Sebei made his professional wrestling debut on March 1, 2002, for the FLQ promotion in Quebec as Stevie McFly. On July 14, as El Generico, he made his International Wrestling Syndicate (IWS) debut at ''Scarred For Life'' in a count out victory. On October 18, 2003, at ''Blood, Sweat and Beers'', Pierre Carl Ouellet defeated Generico and Kevin Steen in a triple threat match.

On November 15, at ''Payback's A Bitch'', El Generico defeated Steen in their first-ever singles match against each other. IWS held its fifth-anniversary show "V" on June 15, 2004, at Le SPAG, where Generico defeated PCO to win his first IWS World Heavyweight Championship, only to have Steen cash in his number one contendership (won earlier in the night against Excess 69) and defeat Generico for the title. On September 11, at ''CZW High Stakes II'', Generico, Steen and Excess 69 lost to SeXXXy Eddy in an IWS four-way match which was unofficially chosen as "CZW Match of the Year".

On February 16, 2008, Generico defeated Steen for the IWS World Heavyweight Championship at ''Violent Valentine''. He lost the title on March 22, at ''Know Your Enemies'', to Steen in a three-way match also involving Max Boyer.

Pro Wrestling Guerrilla (2004–2013)

In 2004, El Generico began making appearances in the independent promotion Pro Wrestling Guerrilla (PWG). El Generico held the PWG World Tag Team Championship five times with four different partners: with Human Tornado as 2 Skinny Black Guys, Quicksilver as Cape Fear, Kevin Steen, and Paul London as ''¡Peligro Abejas!''. Generico is also the only participant to consecutively appear in the first eight Battle of Los Angeles tournaments from 2005. On February 24, 2007, Generico defeated former partner Tornado to win the PWG World Championship during his title run with Cape Fear. Later that year, while Generico was still World Champion, he and Steen defeated PAC and Roderick Strong for the belts.

In mid-2009, Generico entered a lengthy feud with the tag team Men of Low Moral Fiber, consisting of Kenny Omega and Chuck Taylor, recruiting Colt Cabana, referee Rick Knox, and former partner Human Tornado (effectively reuniting 2 Skinny Black Guys) to stand by his side. At PWG's sixth anniversary event, ''Threemendous II'', 2 Skinny Black Guys defeated current champions The Young Bucks in a non-title match, giving the Bucks their first tag team loss in almost a year and a half. On November 21, on Night 2 of the 2009 Battle of Los Angeles, Generico and Kevin Steen failed to win the titles from the Bucks.

On May 9, 2010, Generico teamed up with Paul London as ¡Peligro Abejas! (translated as Danger Bees!) in the fourth annual Dynamite Duumvirate Tag Team Title Tournament eight-team tag tournament. After defeating Chuck Taylor and Scott Lost in the first round and the Briscoe Brothers ( Jay and Mark) in the semifinals, Generico and London defeated the Young Bucks in the finals of the tournament to not only win DDT4, but also the PWG World Tag Team Championship, Generico's fifth time holding the title. On December 11, El Generico earned himself a shot at the PWG World Championship when ¡Peligro Abejas! successfully defended the PWG World Tag Team Championship against Kings of Wrestling (Chris Hero and PWG World Champion Claudio Castagnoli). Generico received his shot at the PWG World Championship on January 29, 2011, during the WrestleReunion 5 weekend, but was defeated by Castagnoli. On April 9, El Generico teamed with Ricochet, who filled in for London who was unable to appear at the event, where they lost the PWG World Tag Team Championship back to The Young Bucks. On August 20, Generico entered the 2011 Battle of Los Angeles, defeating Castagnoli and Willie Mack in his first round and semifinal matches. Later that night, Generico defeated Steen in the finals to win the tournament, becoming the first person to have won the PWG World and World Tag Team championships as well as the DDT4 and Battle of Los Angeles tournaments and earning a match for Steen's PWG World Championship. On October 22, El Generico defeated Steen in a ladder match, following outside interference from The Young Bucks, to win the PWG World Championship for the second time. On March 17, 2012, El Generico re-lost the title to Steen in a three-way match, which also included Eddie Edwards.

El Generico made his farewell appearance for PWG on January 12, 2013, when he and Steen entered the 2013 Dynamite Duumvirate Tag Team Title Tournament. After wins over the Briscoe Brothers and Future Shock (Adam Cole and Kyle O'Reilly), Generico and Steen were defeated in the finals of the tournament by The Young Bucks.

Chikara (2005–2012)

On February 19, 2005, El Generico made his debut for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania–based promotion Chikara, taking part in the 2005 Tag World Grand Prix, where he teamed with Steen as Team IWS. The team made it to the quarterfinals of the tournament, before being defeated by the SuperFriends (Chris Hero and Mike Quackenbush).

Three years later, El Generico returned to Chikara to take part in the 2008 King of Trios, where he teamed with Player Uno and Stupefied, again, as Team IWS. After defeating the F1rst Family ( Arik Cannon, Darin Corbin and Ryan Cruz) in their first round match on March 1, Team IWS was eliminated from the tournament later that same day by eventual tournament winners ''Los Luchadores de Mexico'' (Incognito, Lince Dorado and El Pantera). The following year, on March 27, El Generico returned for the 2009 King of Trios, teaming with Matt and Nick Jackson as Team PWG. They were eliminated from the tournament in the first round by The Osirian Portal (Amasis, Escorpion Egipcio and Ophidian). The following day, El Generico entered the ''Rey de Voladores'' tournament, but lost to Kota Ibushi in his four-way elimination semifinal match, which also included Jigsaw and Nick Jackson. On the third night of the tournament, Generico lost to Arik Cannon.

El Generico next appeared for Chikara on January 23, 2011, losing to Eddie Kingston. For the 2011 King of Trios, El Generico came together with 3.0 (Scott Parker and Shane Matthews) to form ¡3.0le!. The team was eliminated from the tournament in the first round by The Osirian Portal (Amasis, Hieracon and Ophidian). The following day, Generico entered his second ''Rey de Voladores'' and defeated Pinkie Sanchez, Zack Sabre Jr. and Marshe Rockett in his four-way elimination semifinal match to qualify for the following day's finals, where he defeated the 1–2–3 Kid to win the 2011 ''Rey de Voladores''. On July 30, ¡3.0le! defeated F.I.S.T. (Chuck Taylor, Icarus and Johnny Gargano), but lost to the Spectral Envoy ( Frightmare, Hallowicked and UltraMantis Black) the following day.

Ring of Honor (2004–2012)

El Generico first wrestled for Ring of Honor (ROH) at ''Final Battle'' on December 26, 2004, as The Weapon Of Mask Destruction #2, where he was defeated by Jay Lethal. He competed in a Four Corner Survival match on February 19, 2005 at ''Do Or Die IV'', but was unsuccessful. Generico teamed with the Ring Crew Express (Dunn and Marcos) in the ''Trios Tournament 2005'', losing to the Rottweilers. Generico lost to Roderick Strong at ''Stalemate'' on April 16 and Austin Aries at ''Fate of an Angel'' on July 16, but achieved his first victory against Kevin Steen on July 23 at ''The Homecoming'' (despite the match not making it onto the event's DVD). After a loss to Homicide on August 27 at ''Dragon Gate Invasion'', Generico was not seen in ROH until he returned on November 25, 2006, at ''Dethroned'', where he was defeated by Brent Albright.

On February 17, 2007, El Generico formed a permanent team with Kevin Steen, facing the Briscoe Brothers at ''Fifth Year Festival: Philly'' in a losing effort. On April 14, Mark Briscoe returned in the middle of a match between Generico and Steen and his brother Jay and Erick Stevens at ''Fighting Spirit''. Mark was attacked by the duo, however, and was pinned by Steen after a package piledriver. At Respect is Earned on July 1, Steen and El Generico defeated The Irish Airborne (Jake and Dave Crist), Pelle Primeau and Mitch Franklin, and Jimmy Rave and Adam Pearce in a Tag Team Scramble dark match. That same night, they brawled with the Briscoe Brothers, ending with Mark suffering a mild concussion from a steel chair shot. At Driven on September 21, the Briscoe Brothers defeated Generico and Steen to retain the ROH World Tag Team Championship. At Death Before Dishonor V Night 1 on August 10, they defeated the Briscoes in a non-title Boston Street Fight. Generico and Steen then suffered three consecutive losses to the Briscoes at ''Caged Rage'' on August 24 in a steel cage match, ''Manhattan Mayhem II'' on August 25 in a two out of three falls match, and Man Up on November 30 in ROH's first-ever ladder match.

In the midst of their feud, Generico emerged as a singles competitor in the 2007 Race to the Top tournament, defeating Delirious, Hero and Davey Richards, before losing to Claudio Castagnoli in the final round. At ''Up For Grabs'' on June 6, 2008, Steen and Generico participated in a one night tournament to crown new ROH World Tag Team Champions, defeating Go Shiozaki and ROH World Champion Nigel McGuinness in the first round, Chris Hero and Adam Pearce in the second round, but losing to Jimmy Jacobs and Tyler Black in the finals. On August 15, Generico failed to win the ROH World Championship from McGuinness at ''Age of Insanity''. On September 19, Generico and Steen defeated The Age of the Fall at Driven to win the ROH World Tag Team Championship. Generico again failed to win the title from McGuinness at ''Glory by Honor VII'' the next day, in a fatal four-way match at ''The French Connnection'' on November 7, and at Caged Collision on January 31, 2009 (which aired on April 17). At a television taping on April 10, Generico and Steen lost the ROH World Tag Team Championship to The American Wolves (Eddie Edwards and Davey Richards). Shortly after, Generico suffered a knee injury, but he returned to action the following month.

On December 19, at Final Battle, ROH's first live pay-per-view, after a loss to The Young Bucks, El Generico was attacked by Steen. He then formed a team with Colt Cabana and together the two of them started a feud with Steen and his new partner Steve Corino. At The Big Bang! on April 3, 2010, Generico and Cabana defeated Steen and Corino via disqualification, when Steen used a chair on his former partner. On June 19, at Death Before Dishonor VIII, Generico lost to Steen. On September 11, at Glory By Honor IX, Generico and Cabana defeated Steen and Corino in a Double Chain match, when Cabana forced Corino to tap out. After the match, Steen attacked El Generico and unmasked him. At Final Battle on December 18, El Generico and Steen ended their year-long feud in an unsanctioned Fight Without Honor, where Generico put his mask on the line against Steen's ROH career. Generico won the match and thus forced Steen out of Ring of Honor. On March 2, 2011, ROH announced that El Generico had signed a new contract with the promotion.

On Night 1 of Honor Takes Center Stage on April 1, Generico lost to House of Truth's Michael Elgin after interference from a masked man. The following day, he defeated another House of Truth member, Roderick Strong, but after the match was attacked by Elgin and stable leader Truth Martini. Cabana came out to make the save but was stopped by the House of Truth's advantage in numbers. Christopher Daniels then came out to seemingly help the two, however, he turned on Generico and Cabana, joining the House of Truth and revealing himself as the man who had cost Generico his match against Elgin. On June 26, at Best in the World 2011, Generico defeated Daniels to win the ROH World Television Championship. He lost the title to Jay Lethal on August 13 at the first '' Ring of Honor Wrestling'' tapings under the Sinclair Broadcast Group banner.

After a loss to the reinstated Kevin Steen in a Last Man Standing match on March 30, 2012, at Showdown in the Sun, El Generico disappeared from ROH. On October 13, at Glory By Honor XI: The Unbreakable Hope, Steen received a parcel containing Generico's mask. Generico returned to ROH at Final Battle 2012: Doomsday on October 16, unsuccessfully challenging Steen for the ROH World Championship in a ladder war, which marked his last appearance in ROH.

Dragon Gate (2007–2009)

Generico travelled to Japan during the summer of 2007, where he worked for the Dragon Gate (DG) promotion as the gaijin (foreign) representative of the New Hazard stable. He returned to the promotion in July 2008, where he was announced as Tozawa-juku's "foreign exchange student." El Generico made his third tour of Dragon Gate in October 2009, when he wrestled as a member of the Kamikaze stable.

DDT Pro-Wrestling (2011–2012)

In early 2011, El Generico began making semi-regular appearances for the Japanese DDT Pro-Wrestling sister-promotion Union Pro Wrestling, making his debut on January 3 with a win over Shinichiro Tominaga. On September 19, El Generico won his first title in Japan, when he defeated Isami Kodaka for the DDT Extreme Championship. After successful title defenses against Shuji Ishikawa and Sanshiro Takagi, he lost the title back to Kodaka on January 3, 2012.

El Generico has also made appearances for Union Pro's parent promotion, DDT Pro-Wrestling, most notably defeating Kota Ibushi in Ibushi's return match from a shoulder injury on May 4, 2012. On August 18, El Generico wrestled his first match in the Nippon Budokan, defeating the debuting Konosuke Takeshita. On September 30, El Generico defeated Ibushi to win the KO-D Openweight Championship, DDT's top title. El Generico made his first successful title defense on October 21 in a rematch against Ibushi. On November 25, El Generico defeated KO-D Tag Team Champion Mikami to retain the title. On December 23, El Generico lost the KO-D Openweight Championship to Kenny Omega.

Dragon Gate USA and Evolve (2012)

On March 31, 2012, El Generico made his debut for Dragon Gate USA (DGUSA), when he defeated Chuck Taylor, Cima, Lince Dorado, Rich Swann and Samuray del Sol in a six-way match. On April 13, El Generico made his debut for Evolve, a promotion closely affiliated with DGUSA, losing to Low Ki. After another loss to Ricochet on May 11, El Generico achieved his first victory in the promotion on May 12, defeating Sami Callihan. El Generico defeated Samuray del Sol at Evolve 14 on June 28 and lost a rematch the following day at Evolve 15. El Generico returned to Dragon Gate USA on July 28, when he and Samuray were defeated in a tag team match by A. R. Fox and Cima. On September 8, El Generico and Samuray del Sol faced off in another Evolve main event, which Generico won. On November 4, at Dragon Gate USA's Freedom Fight 2012, Generico and Samuray defeated Genki Horiguchi and Ryo Saito. The two continued their winning ways on December 8, at Evolve 18, where they defeated the Super Smash Bros. (Player Uno and Stupefied).

Other promotions (2005–2013)

From 2005 onwards, El Generico has made several appearances for the German Westside Xtreme Wrestling (wXw) promotion. On March 4, 2012, El Generico defeated Tommy End to win wXw's 2012 16 Carat Gold Tournament. On May 19, El Generico defeated Big van Walter to win the wXw Unified World Wrestling Championship, which he held until August 12, when he lost to Axel Tischer in a four-way match also involving Bad Bones and Karsten Beck. In October 2009, El Generico traveled to Poland to take part in Do or Die Wrestling's event in Warsaw, defeating Michael Kovac in the main event. In May 2010, Generico competed in the main-event of Capital City Championship Combat's show, ''Stand Alone''. On October 23, Generico competed at Pro Wrestling Superstars' inaugural show in Jacksonville, North Carolina, where he teamed with Paul London to defeat Joey Silvia and Jake Manning.

On January 11, 2011, El Generico wrestled in a tryout dark match for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) at the promotion's '' Impact!'' tapings, losing to Amazing Red. On April 20, El Generico made his South American debut, when he wrestled for Peruvian promotion Leader Wrestling Association (LWA), facing Apocalipsis, Axl and Kaiser in a number one contender's match to determine a challenger for Caoz, the promotion's "Campeón Máximo", which was won by Kaiser. On April 24, El Generico wrestled for Chilean promotion Xplosion Nacional de Lucha (XNL), losing to Crazy Sid in an XNL Championship number one contender's three-way match, which also included XL. On February 26, 2012, El Generico defeated Ivan "Locomotive" Markov at a show for the Russian promotion Independent Wrestling Federation (IWF). On September 8, Generico made an appearance for Combat Zone Wrestling (CZW), unsuccessfully challenging Masada for the CZW World Heavyweight Championship.

After signing with WWE, El Generico made his final Canadian independent appearance on January 18, 2013, for the Hart Legacy Wrestling (HLW) promotion in Calgary. In the opening four-way elimination match, El Generico and Samuray del Sol were victorious over Cam!kaze and Pete Wilson, Brian Cage

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