Matt Hardy believes Sami Zayn’s second run as a WWE world champion has the potential to give the fan favorite the reign that eluded him the first time around.
Zayn’s initial stint at the top of WWE lasted only a little more than a week, creating the impression that he was used primarily as a transitional champion rather than positioned for a sustained run. His latest title victory has already moved beyond that short benchmark, and Hardy feels the most important part of the situation is that Zayn now has a genuine opportunity to make his reign feel meaningful.
Speaking on The Extreme Life of Matt Hardy, Hardy said he was intrigued by Zayn becoming champion again, even if he is uncertain about the long-term creative direction WWE has in mind for the reign.
“It was interesting [Zayn’s title win]. I’m honestly not sure [why they made him a champion the second time]. I’m not sure what they’re going to map out for him as far as that goes. And I did not see that match, but I do like the opportunity. I do like the fact that he is getting an opportunity to have a better reign. You know, the first one was obviously very quick. He was a transition guy, more or less.”
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That assessment gets to the central issue surrounding Zayn’s championship history. Winning a world title is a career-defining achievement, but the value of a reign is often determined by what comes after the victory. A champion needs enough time to establish an identity with the belt, take part in major programs, and give fans a reason to view the titleholder as more than a temporary stop on the way to the next planned matchup.
For Zayn, the first reign’s short duration limited that possibility. It put the title on his résumé, but it did not provide much room for him to shape the run into a major chapter of his WWE career. Hardy did not dismiss the accomplishment itself, but he was clear that the brevity of the reign made it difficult for it to leave the sort of lasting impression a world championship normally should.
A Chance to Move Beyond a Transitional Role
Hardy characterized Zayn’s first title run as “pretty lackluster overall” because it ended so quickly. The wording was not a criticism of Zayn’s ability. Rather, it reflected the structure of the reign and the limited opportunity Zayn had to demonstrate what he could do as WWE’s champion.
“I think he’s worked hard for a very long time, and he is someone who does deserve a run, and I think a lot of things have changed, you know, over the years as pro wrestling has gone on. They’re not quite as selective on like who could be classified as a world champion material performer now. But if you have solid ring work and people are behind you and you’re over and they like you or they hate you, whatever it may be, yes, I think you can get in there. And that first run he had was, you know, pretty lackluster overall because it was so short.”
Hardy’s comments frame Zayn’s second reign as more than a simple repeat. It is an opportunity to correct the perception created by the first one. If WWE gives him time, credible challengers, and stories that treat the championship as central to the show, Zayn can make this run distinct from the transitional stretch that came before it.
There is also a broader point in Hardy’s view of modern world champions. He suggested that the standard for who can occupy that role has evolved. The idea is not that every champion must fit one narrowly defined mold. Instead, a performer can be credible at the top of the card through a combination of ring ability, crowd response, character connection, and the ability to generate emotional investment.
That is especially relevant in Zayn’s case. Hardy emphasized that a wrestler’s relationship with the audience matters whether fans are cheering or booing. A crowd that reacts strongly gives a performer value. In a championship setting, that engagement can provide the foundation for a reign that feels significant, provided the booking supports it.
What Makes a Title Reign Feel Important
A longer reign alone would not automatically solve the concerns Hardy raised. Duration is important, but purpose is equally important. WWE would need to present Zayn as a champion whose decisions, rivalries, and matches matter. The difference between a titleholder who simply carries a belt and a champion who defines a period of programming often comes down to the consistency of that presentation.
For a second reign to become the one Zayn looks back on fondly, it would need to offer him the chance to lead rather than merely react. That can mean defending against challengers with clearly established motivations, participating in rivalries that build over time, and being treated as the central figure in the championship picture rather than a placeholder awaiting an inevitable change.
Hardy did not offer a prediction about how long Zayn will remain champion or identify any particular opponent WWE should put in front of him. His optimism was more fundamental: Zayn deserves a real chance to show what a sustained world-title run from him can be.
That distinction matters because title reigns are often judged years later through the memories they create. Fans remember defining defenses, rivalries, promos, victories, losses, and moments where the champion seemed to carry the weight of the division. A reign that lasts just over a week rarely has the room to produce that full body of work. Zayn’s current position gives WWE an opportunity to build it now.
Hardy Sees Earned Opportunity for Zayn
Hardy’s praise centered on Zayn’s long-term work. He described him as someone who has worked hard for a very long time and deserves a run. That is an important endorsement from a veteran who understands how difficult it can be to turn years of strong performances into a sustained place at the very top of a major promotion.
In Hardy’s view, Zayn has the necessary ingredients to function as a world champion: reliable in-ring work and an audience that is invested in him. Those qualities can make a wrestler viable as a top champion even when they do not conform to older, more restrictive expectations of what a world-title performer is supposed to look like.
The question now is not whether Zayn can call himself a two-time world champion. He can. The question is whether this second reign will become the defining one—the run that gives the accomplishment the scope, drama, and permanence that the first reign did not have time to develop.
Hardy is hopeful that WWE will allow that to happen. The former WWE star acknowledged uncertainty about the company’s plans, but his overall message was supportive. He sees the second reign as a valuable opening for Zayn to move past the “transition guy” label attached to his first stint and establish a championship tenure with far more substance.
For Zayn, surpassing the length of the first reign is only the first milestone. The larger task will be turning additional time with the title into a run that feels complete. If WWE follows through with a meaningful championship program, Hardy believes Zayn has earned the chance to prove exactly what he can bring to the role.
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Darryl Polo
Darryl Polo is a passionate wrestling fan covering WWE, AEW, TNA and beyond. He loves great rivalries, breakout stars and the moments that keep fans talking long after the bell. How we work.