Alex Riley returns to the ring

[Ziirox]

Disclaimer: I'm an Alex Riley mark. Loved the guy from the second he started on the short lived previous version of NXT on Season 2. Thought he was an excellent protege with The Miz. Greatly enjoyed his face run after that. I thought he was going to be one of the next great talents on WWE, and then he started jobbing and eventually went in broadcasting.

Over this weekend, Alex Riley returned to action at an NXT event in a triple threat match against Viktor of the Ascension and Kalisto. Riley has more recently been a commentator on NXT. He had a short run as The Miz's sidekick and as a face on WWE. There were some (including myself) who thought Alex had a bright future ahead of him. However, somewhere along the way he disappeared from TV and resurfaced in the previously mentioned position of commentator.

Any thoughts on Alex Riley's in-ring career? Do you believe this match was a one time thing or is it leading to a return as a singles competitor? Can Alex be successful again if he is indeed making a return to the ring full time?

 

[MattRhys20]

I'm a huge fan of Riley too. He's got everything, the look the mic skills and what I like best about him... THE MUSIC.

He's done the Superstars/Saturday Morning Slam dark matches the past two years in London and me and my friend both went nuts for him.

Apparently the reason he got bumped down was because he did something with Cena backstage that upset him. If it wasn't for that, maybe he would have been something, but I think his days in the ring are over

 

[Tjfitzsimmons88]

Alex Riley is the true Awesome one. I think he was gonna be a really high up mid carder after he broke away from Miz. he was on a roll after him n miz broke up. He beat miz at the CP PPV was hugely over by the crowd, then he was the one everyone wanted to win the 4 way for the US title at night of champions. I still remember he hit his finisher the crowd went absolutely nuts prob biggest pop of the night got the closest 2 count I saw in years and the crowd couldn't believe it and then went on to lose the match.

then something happen with him nad Cena and cena being the baby he is said something to vince and there goes A-ry. so sad!

 

[waylonmercy]

Wasn't the story that Cena was ribbing/bullying Riley, and Riley stood up to him and he immediately got buried. It's a shame because he was get over. Not even 3 years ago he was Main Eventing Raw with Cena against Miz and Truth with Austin as the referee. The problem now is that the aura of Riley may be gone. To me I am concerned he would be treated to a much lesser degree like Josh Matthews returning to the ring. I just can't him getting over like he once had the great opportunity of doing.

 

[zwbruno]

Seeing as how he just had a triple threat with two tag guys, it seems likely he'll be partnering up soon. I wouldn't mind seeing him, Jason Jordan and Angelo Dawkins form some kind of Varsity Club stable. I also think that's likely because if you pay close attention, NXT is basically high school stereotypes + wrestling

 

[Macho Mans Beard]

For awhile I actually was behind Riley, saying he is the future of the WWE. I dont know what happened to get him off TV. But he has been gone for quite some time now. With him slowly coming back maybe the WWE is trying to see where it goes. This is where I like NXT. It gives people that 2nd chance.

If the WWE is planning on a Alex Riley return it needs to be done right. I dont like the whole Varsity look of Riley. Give him a new angle. He is great on the mic and can hold his own in the ring. Keep him under the radar in NXT until such time he comes back in a huge fashion, maybe surprise entrant in the Rumble.

As for Riley being in a Stable it needs to be one that really needs to be heel. Maybe have Riley, Ziggler and Miz as a stable that feel they have been wronged by WWE. Catch major heat and have a fued with The Shield. You can ride that for a couple PPV's, much like the Evolution/Shield storyline.

 

[randomasiandude]

I can't agree less, riley is one of those guys that I find generic and boring. He's like if Miz and Ryder had a baby, since I find both of them unwatchable, their offspring would be horrific. Then again I'm in favor of getting rid of about 90% of the current roster...most just don't stand out to me. Ziggler, titus, kofi, ryder, miz, riley...the list is endless

 

[TempestH]

For awhile I actually was behind Riley, saying he is the future of the WWE. I dont know what happened to get him off TV. But he has been gone for quite some time now. With him slowly coming back maybe the WWE is trying to see where it goes. This is where I like NXT. It gives people that 2nd chance.

If the WWE is planning on a Alex Riley return it needs to be done right. I dont like the whole Varsity look of Riley. Give him a new angle. He is great on the mic and can hold his own in the ring. Keep him under the radar in NXT until such time he comes back in a huge fashion, maybe surprise entrant in the Rumble.

As for Riley being in a Stable it needs to be one that really needs to be heel. Maybe have Riley, Ziggler and Miz as a stable that feel they have been wronged by WWE. Catch major heat and have a fued with The Shield. You can ride that for a couple PPV's, much like the Evolution/Shield storyline.

I think Riley is a guy that needs and deserves to be pushed as a face. He's great on the mic and solid in the ring. But he has a natural quickness and flash that could pop crowds (I think he could easily be a high flier if he wanted to). He needs to use all his talents in order to keep up with all the hungry young talents coming up; and as a heel he'd be forced to hold back his natural athleticism to avoid getting cheered, and that would be a bit of a detriment to him at this point.

 

[slasher2808]

I would like a him to return to the ring but only if it was going to be a serious storyline and really give him something to work with not just "oh rileys back". If they can't give him that then give him JBLs/Coles spot on commentery on SD! I like his commentery work on NXT.