WWE drew inspiration from the Tom Cruise viral Mission Impossible rant WWE parody during a turbulent period in 2020, when pandemic safety rules dominated both Hollywood and professional wrestling. Sami Zayn, then portraying his infamous Conspiracy Theorist character, delivered a memorable parody segment on SmackDown, echoing the Hollywood actor’s heated outbreak on set and earning viral attention.
WWE Turns Tom Cruise’s Infamous Set Outburst Into a SmackDown Highlight
As the world grappled with COVID-19 protocols and uncertainty swept through the entertainment industry, Tom Cruise’s intense reaction to crew members breaking social distancing protocols during Mission: Impossible 7 filming became headline news. The actor famously scolded his crew for standing too close together, and the leaked audio of his tirade divided opinion, with some supporting his passion for safety and others calling it excessive. This event rapidly spread across social media, making an indelible mark on pop culture.
Always keen to tap into the zeitgeist, WWE saw an opportunity to create a must-see moment inspired by the Tom Cruise outbreak. On an episode of SmackDown, Sami Zayn — at that time the reigning WWE Intercontinental Champion — stepped into the spotlight to deliver his own version of an on-air meltdown. The parody occurred during Zayn’s self-hosted ‘Sami Awards’ segment, where he expected to claim every honor for himself. However, after Big E tampered with the voting envelopes backstage, Zayn’s rival ended up unexpectedly winning the award for Superstar of the Year, triggering Zayn’s explosive reaction.
Directly mimicking the cadence and intensity of Tom Cruise’s viral rant, Sami Zayn launched into a furious tirade aimed at both Big E and a WWE official, mirroring the way Cruise reprimanded his crew. The parody segment benefited from an extra twist: it was “leaked” by then-WWE interviewer Kayla Braxton, much like the original Mission: Impossible audio. WWE fans responded enthusiastically, considering the segment one of the most effective comedic moments of the “pandemic era” for the company, and it showcased Zayn’s flair for both humor and improvisation while referencing the larger pandemic culture shock.
Sami Zayn’s Evolving WWE Persona and Current Status
Since his celebrated parody of Tom Cruise’s on-set eruption, both the Hollywood hero and the wrestling star have moved in new directions. Tom Cruise has since wrapped up the Mission: Impossible series with a final installment, while Sami Zayn has abandoned the Conspiracy Theorist persona to solidify his status as a heroic babyface in WWE. Zayn has continued to build his reputation, winning additional titles and even headlining WrestleMania, while recently paying tribute to wrestling legend Sabu from ECW.
Currently, Zayn is entrenched in a fierce dispute with his former ally Seth Rollins and Rollins’s formidable group, the Paul Heyman Guys. With support from high-profile figures like CM Punk and Jey Uso, Zayn has sought to fend off these adversaries. In the May edition of WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event, Punk and Zayn teamed up against Rollins and his enforcer Bron Breakker. Their bid for victory was foiled when Bronson Reed made a surprise return, lending his strength to Rollins’s side and clinching the win. The addition of Reed to the alliance has escalated the challenge for Punk and Zayn, setting the stage for more electrifying clashes in upcoming events.
As WWE continues to blend timely pop culture moments with ongoing storylines, the Tom Cruise viral Mission Impossible rant WWE parody stands out as a creative highlight. Sami Zayn’s performance during a difficult era for live entertainment not only poked fun at a Hollywood headline but demonstrated the company’s adaptability and humor in the face of adversity. With storylines constantly evolving and stars like Zayn at the helm, WWE remains a consistent reflection of—and reaction to—wider entertainment trends and world events.
