Sami Zayn recently spoke with Al Arabiya to discuss his Canadian-Syrian heritage and promote WWE’s live events in Dubai. Below are some interview higlights:
On being a role model for Arabs:
“It’s a great source of pride for me to be representing Arabs on such a global platform and I consider it as a badge of honor. Growing up I loved watching wrestling on the WWE and finding an Arab wrestler to look up to was impossible. If you were in Arab you had mothers who wanted you to become a doctor or an engineer and it was the same to me. I perform so that kids watching television can see themselves represented and that their dreams and goals are attainable.”
On the perceptions of Arabs in North America:
“In North America, perceptions of Arabs are misunderstood and to be 100% honest, it’s not really favorable. I try not to put pressure on myself to be seen as ‘the good Arab guy’ but really I’m just being myself. And if I’m ever asked about it, I have no problem telling it. In fact, you’ll always see my name written in Arabic on my tights right in front for everyone to see it.”
