Sami Zayn on Partying Differences, High Flying Risks, and El Generico

United Kingdom website Joe.co.uk held a recent interview with Sami Zayn discussing current generation of WWE wrestlers partying less on the road, if he is worried about the long term risks from high flying wrestling, and the current status of El Generico.

On the topic of the differences in wrestlers’ partying habits, Zayn stated the heavy price paid by previous generations of wrestlers has played a big role in how his generation handles life on the road. He believes between these life lessons and WWE’s Wellness Policy, his generation of wrestlers will be a lot better off health-wise in the long run.

“It’s not just the wrestling industry that has changed, the world has changed. Unfortunately a lot of that generation paid a very heavy price for it. And it would be very silly for our generation to not learn from their mistakes. Not to mention the WWE wellness policy as well, which I think is a great thing, honestly. It sort of keeps people in check! But at the end of the day I think matches are at a higher level than ever, the quality of talent we have now has never been better, and the work rate has never been higher.”

On the topic of being worried about long term risks with today’s focus towards high flying moves, Zayn believes it has actually been scaling down in recent years with more wrestles putting a bigger focus towards skills than envelope pushing dangerous moves and spots.

“Well, there was a time when I would have said yes. But I think even that is scaling down a little these day. Definitely, we are performing more moves now, and they are high impact moves. The game has changed since the ’80s, where you could punch and kick and headlock, and do one suplex, and that’s a 25 minute match. Those days are gone and you’ve got to adapt accordingly. But I think when I started wrestling on the independents it was definitely a time when people were pushing the envelope on how risky or dangerous some stunts could be. Whereas now I think a lot of the stunt show aspect of it has gone down. There’s a lot more technical skill executing these moves than it is falling off a giant scaffold or something like that. I think the stunt show aspect of the business has regressed, which is a good thing.”

When asked about the current status of El Generico, Zayn joked about never meeting the guy in his life but is aware of the tales about the mask wrestler.

“There a lot of parallels between my style and his, I suppose, but I never actually met the man. But from what I hear I think he’s still running an orphanage, still fighting the good fight in Mexico. That’s as far as I know.”