During SmackDown on February 7, 2025, Joe Tessitore announced Sami Zayn’s indefinite absence from WWE competition following Kevin Owens’ brutal assault on Monday Night RAW.
The attack occurred after Zayn’s Elimination Chamber qualifying match against CM Punk.
Owens struck from behind, targeting his former friend and executing a Package Piledriver that left Zayn motionless in the ring. WWE medical staff intervened immediately, stretching Zayn out of the arena.
Joe Tessitore explains that Sami Zayn is out of action for an indefinite period of time following Kevin Owens' Package Piledriver on Monday.
— ’ (@iViratOTC) February 8, 2025
You'll see how he arrives in Canada, at Elimination Chamber, ha-ha. #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/2ZPt4eftLO
Kevin Owens Reveals Reasons for Attacking Sami Zayn
Earlier today, Owens released a video message from his car addressing the situation at the Royal Rumble and his motivations for targeting Zayn.
We’ve been through a lot, me and you, over the years… but I don’t think we’ve ever been through anything like what happened on Saturday. The scars. The stitches. These scars—I’m always gonna have on my face. And the trauma? You can’t see that, but I can feel it. My neck, my spine, the pain I’ve been in all week… and I still am, still experiencing right now. It’s probably never gonna go away completely.
It’s all your fault. Because Sami, you just stood there and watched while Cody tried to end my career. Worse, I think he was actually trying to end my life in that Rumble. But you? You rushed to the aid of Roman Reigns because someone was beating him up in the corner. But for me? For me… you did nothing. You’re a horrible friend. You’re a disgusting human being. I’ll never forgive you. Never. But I am gonna make you pay. You’re gonna pay.
Never. pic.twitter.com/l90UNDKqe7
— Kevin (@FightOwensFight) February 8, 2025
The timing of this attack appears calculated, coming right after Zayn’s qualifying match and amid growing tensions between the former best friends. With Zayn now sidelined indefinitely, questions arise about Owens’ increasingly violent behavior and its impact on both competitors’ futures.