Now, granted, he got beat. Badly. But in his time in the ring, even with an injured eye (I watched the grusome video of the aftermath of Roadblock... ouch), Sami more than held his own. They call him the "Underdog From The Underground," and he's sure as hell scrappy and got so muhc heart. I have never felt like he's phoned in a single in-ring performance, and is always incredibly enjoyable.
But we're here about music. Sami's very open about his love os ska and punk, so it came as no surprise to me that the WWE fashioned his entrance music to fit that mold. This was introduced in NXT, and the crowd, now famous for their ability to create lasting chants, started singing along. It was since, some "ohs" along with the music, echoing the "Ole" chants that have followed El Generico throughout his career literally around the world. Everything about this entrance is so fitting for such a fun and great hearted guy.
I'm showing my bias here, but I got the honor of meeting Sami at Wrestlemania last year. I had no idea he was going to be at a table while I was there, but I immediately jumped online for my 30 seconds. He almost used his real name, and seemed genuinely surprised when I said I had been at NXT the night before and saw his incredible matches with Shinsuke Nakamura (to illustrate how good it was - there was constant chanting of "Fight Forever"). It was possibly the best 30 seconds of my trip. And I'm not talking as a weirdo fan girl - to have a cool moment with someone you admire and see that they actually appreciate your attempts at kind compliments? That's just really cool, and the way to win a fan for life.
So yeah, all that is why I was excited to see this dude perform tonight, and why his music will just always be a fun way to make me dance - sometimes quite literally, and sometimes without thinking while on a public subway. Super happy I got to see him and, well, really everyone I could have wanted to, this week on the Holiday Tour. Now just a new months until Wrestlemania in Orlando!!