IF Sami were to win the world title at Mania 40

[ChitownKnight]

I think these would be the 4 best options

Kevin Owens- They were destined to fight forever. KO won the last mania match and Sami would be the underdog against him. They could play it as a face vs face

John Cena- he can go in as the 17 time champ and it could be his last match. Sami lost to Cena in his first match on the main roster so he can beat Cena in Cena’s potential last match

Gunther- scrappy underdog Sami vs world beater Gunther writes itself

Drew McIntyre- if Drew turns heel this year it would be the biggest turn since Roman and Sami could be a good under dog vs Drew

Roman reigns- pretty self explanatory. Do what he couldn’t do in Montreal

[ben:friendship frog]

Other: Cody Rhodes after he turns heel on Sami at Survivor Series and becomes a big conceited meanie

[RI Richmark]

Omos

[1 Free Moon-Down with Burger]

Gunther would be the one.

Roman’s on a different path and will probably be going against Dwayne and Sami works best in the underdog role so going up against Gunther makes the most sense.

Though I think Sami gets the world title via announced MITB cash in sometime this year

[Push R Truth]

Everybody.
At the same time.
In a cage.
And it's on fire.

[Instant Classic]

Have Sami and KO win the tag titles at 39, have them hold the belts until around November or so. KO turns on Sami the next night and goes back to being a scumbag. KO vs Cody for the WWE title at Royal Rumble where KO wins. Sami wins the Rumble and beats KO at Mania 40.

[krozor]

Mar 14, 2023 2:23:38 GMT -5 ben:friendship frog said:

Other: Cody Rhodes after he turns heel on Sami at Survivor Series and becomes a big conceited meanie

If you were going to try to recreate Sami's build this is the only way. You can't put that belt back on Roman for another slog and then try to recreate the Roman/Sami magic a whole year from now, you passed on it, it's gone now.

KO/Sami would make for a good video promo lead up, but there's no way they willingly choose to promote that as the real top match of the card for Wrestlemania 40.

I don't think you immediately turn someone like Cody who is running a natural, real, moral face character, especially after Roman's Forever War on the top titles. But the one chance you'd have to get that spark around Sami again would be a slow burn turn by Cody into a condescending heel who kills Sami with kindness heaping praise on him for being a runner up all year, slowly working towards a "But Sami, you did finish your story last year, you lost" pivot. Have him massacre Owens somewhere along the way. I think that's the only path back for Sami, but again, if the plan was to turn Cody that fast, Sami should have won this year and have Cody already on the path to a "no, Sami, this year was my story" turn.