Long before Sami Zayn became a fan favorite in WWE, he was known to Ring of Honor fans as El Generico, a beloved figure in the promotion. His journey in ROH intertwined with Kevin Steen (now known as Kevin Owens), his real-life best friend, with whom he shared one of the most intense rivalries in the company’s history.
Together, they also experienced great success as a tag team, winning the ROH Tag Team Championships. Among all their opponents, none tested their limits more than The Briscoes.
On X (formerly Twitter), Zayn recently shared a highlight reel from their renowned Ladder War match against Mark and Jay Briscoe at the 2007 Man Up event, marking the bout’s 17th anniversary. He reflected on the importance of that rivalry, acknowledging its profound impact on both him and Owens.
“The Briscoes are the greatest tag team of the last 25 years, and they’re on the short list for best ever. Many top wrestlers today would tell you their toughest and best tag matches were against Dem Boys. I wouldn’t be where I am without them. I miss you, Jay. Love you, Mark,” Zayn shared.