Pro Wrestling

Why Does Zack Ryder Stay With WWE?

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By @nickmarsico

WWE Universe Facebook

WWE Universe Facebook

A few weeks ago, Vince McMahon appeared on a special edition of Stone Cold Steve Austin‘s podcast and, among a great many other subjects, he spoke about how the so-called “millennials” were inept, unmotivated and don’t ever try to make any attempts to “grab the brass ring”. For the time being, let’s just ignore how ridiculous and stupid Vince’s entire set of comments regarding why he isn’t pushing anybody not named John Cena are and move on to the subject at hand.

Zack Ryder was brought up to the main roster of WWE as one half of a brother tag team along with Curt Hawkins. Together they were the Major Brothers, who had a fairly short-lived run on WWE’s revived ECW brand. They had some success, but eventually the run ended and they disappeared without a trace. Ryder and Hawkins became Edge clones for a little while, and then Hawkins was effectively gone, going through a number of personality changes as he looked for the character that would get him off of Superstars and back onto RAW and Smackdown. Unfortunately he was never able to secure a spot and ended up getting future endeavored. Ryder, however, created a new character based on being like the kids from ‘Jersey Shore’ (even though he started before that show existed) and it gave him new life. He achieved a small push on the further revamped ECW brand which gave him motivation to succeed.

Then the ECW brand was put out of its misery. Some became downtrodden, some were released and others, like Ryder, were just motivated even more to make the best of a bad situation. He ramped up his dedication to Long Island Iced Z, started his own Youtube channel and kicked into high gear. Ryder garnered a strong online following which translated to the audiences at TV tapings, and suddenly the WWE Universe inundated WWE management with “We Want Ryder” chants. Through sheer will and a strong nudge from the audience, McMahon’s hand was forced, Ryder got some TV time and even defeated Dolph Ziggler for the United States Championship. That was the end of the party, though, as soon after he would lose the belt and spend what felt like eternity being tortured by Eve Torres and Kane.

Ryder is the definition of a millennial using the vast resources available that allow one person to reach millions (that internet thing is going to be big, I tell you!) and make his bid to reach for that elusive brass ring. He worked hard, gained a vocal and loyal following and was rewarded for it; but then, as if WWE was mocking us for helping a talented and underused guy, Ryder was beaten down, humiliated and now he is back off of television.

Maybe he grabbed the wrong brass ring. All that can be ascertained from his gradual rise and abrupt fall is that Ryder worked very hard and did exactly what the boss always said to do, but that’s only what the boss says that he wants. He saw an opportunity and he took it — and he was punished for it. So ever since he got his opportunity and won the U.S. Title (that was three years ago, by the way) he has been forced harder and harder into the pavement. It’s like he shows up at TV and Vince tells someone to steal Ryder’s gear and toss it into a dumpster. “You forgot your boots and trunks? That’s okay. You’ll get a match tomorrow!” Rinse, repeat. Ryder has been off of television for so long that when he does show up people have to double check the Long Island obituary section because they could swear they saw his name in there — because where else could be have been? I don’t even think the word ‘sporadic’ qualifies for the frequency, or lack thereof, of Ryder’s appearances on TV.

For wrestlers on his level, the only way to make money is to get on as many shows as possible. If he’s not even being brought to TV every week any longer, how much money could he be making? Is the frustration worth it? Surely he could make more money — and actually get to wrestle — elsewhere.

So I ask, why doesn’t Zack Ryder just leave WWE?

Nicholas A. Marsico is a pro wrestling writer for Rant Sports. Follow him on Twitter and Facebook!

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