Are You Serious, Bro?

[vampirek]

Did someone really suggest Morrison, a guy who was on a losing streak and has had more feuds with Miz and Truth. Its been done to death. Most of the Raw roster who are relevant are already busy and like someone pointed out there are too many heels. Ryder made perfect sense, in terms of build up, his relationship with Cena (an angle that has played for months) and crowd reaction. Anyone who thinks otherwise please do come up with one other person who fits all the boxed Ryder did.

He had one main event.... where he wasn't the angle at all. He was just a pawn in a Cena/Rock angle which just happens to involve Miz/Truth. He is feuding with the US Champion and his partner/associate, both men who are former world champions and main evented PPVs, nevermind Raw/Smackdown. It gives Ryder a bit more credibility and when they do put the strap on him, the US title doesn't go backwards but rather makes it still relevant. It also stops Ziggler looking weak when he should be nearing going for the World titles again.

I'm sure it was on here just two weeks ago people who complaining that Mason Ryan was being overpushed and taking Ryder's position for the challenger of the US title.... funny how quickly things change in people's mind. Just enjoy the product and stop analysing every bit of it, just ruins it for you.

 

[Martin Gabriel]

Mustang Sally, the simplest of the things I'd like to say to you is that it's one television main event -- it doesn't mean much. Now going into deeper analysis, the match was booked so Ryder appeared like a "fanboy" tag partner, which can earn some cheap pops (like they got from the double Five Knuckle Shuffle) but would not be satisfying for a main event push, not that they would have such an intention for Ryder at this juncture. I believe you are certainly making this out to be much more severe than it really is. It's not like Zack was the first mid-carder to appear alongside Cena in a main event, nor is he the first mid-carder to do so without any current plans for him to be elevated to the main event.

To answer your question about Zack Ryder's cyberspace self-promotion, you've answered your own speculation time and time again. Zack Ryder's promotion didn't interfere with WWE storylines, Matt Hardy's did. You can stop speculating, that's your answer. As for the matter of how Vince would respond to other wrestlers going the same route, they already have. John Cena and The Rock have utilized YouTube and Twitter in developing their storyline, whereas CM Punk and Chris Jericho have been battling over Twitter to (hopefully) foreshadow a future match between them. Even Ted DiBiase has his "DiBiase Posse" thanks to a combination of online social media and live interactions with fans. How will Vince respond to all this? Use it to his advantage when it works, squash it -- or ignore it -- if it doesn't. Zack's worked, Matt Hardy's made him look crazy.

 

[SD619]

While I am not really a big Ryder fan, I don't see anything see anything wrong with him being in the main event tag-team match. Its not as if he main evented some PPV. Also, i don't believe that this implies a main event push for Ryder. He will probably win the US title at SS and have a decent title reign.

I have to admit that it was surprising to hear the crowd reaction for Ryder. When was the last time that someone other that Punk had a better reaction that Cena. The best thing about Ryder's pop was that people were actually chanting 'We want Ryder' instead of 'Let's go Cena/Cena sucks'

 

[Alittude]

Anyone complaining and saying he doesn't deserve it is just stupid. Did you not see the crowd? He is over as all hell and more over than nearly every superstar apart from the main eventers. Not only is he over but it's pretty much all due to himself which has to be admired as he had nothing handed to him. The guy is descent in the ring and has loads of charisma so to complain because you think he's 'goofy' is just stupid.

 

[DirtyJosé]

What's sad is that I'm willing to bet money that the majority of posters in this thread are going to shit all over that initial post. There are SO MANY Zack Ryder fans on the internet that it'll make your head spin. Everyone feels that Zack (and every other fucking wrestler on the roster) deserves a push, a title, his own parking spot, his own internet show, and our respect. Quite frankly, as entertaining as Ryder can be at times, he's at the same level as Santino during his peak.

I see no reason why this monster, main-event-type of push needs to continue. His current angle with the US title petition is probably the perfect thing for him right now. Wasting television time during a main event by pairing him with Cena was an absolute fucking joke, in my opinion. There are lots of other guys who could've benefited from that air time... Ryder not being one of them. Next week, he'll be right back begging John L. for a US title shot. So why not use that main event tag match to push someone else? It makes no sense to me.

The problem with this is that while you and/or people of the same mind as you may (rightly?) see his "push" as overestimating his appeal, I will venture to state that you and/or people of the same mind as you are overanalyzing the effect of him being in a main event on a rather throw away episode of Raw. His "push" is a push of character, not a "push" in a proper sense as you and I are familiar with the term. He's not all of a sudden pinning guys like Mark Henry. He's not all over the air, in fact you'd think that for a guy with an impressive following and unexpectedly decent merch numbers that he'd be featured a bit more than just the cameos he gets.

I think you're spot on with the comparison to Santino; Ryder is an amazing character who's great at being likable, but I find his matches to be forgettable; not great, just good I suppose. Nothing memorable. And there's certainly a place for that in the product. That being said, I don't think it's unreasonable to enjoy him in a match like this where he can shine but not have to be involved in any real serious way. Yes, everyone has their faves that they wish to see pushed and blah blah blah...I agree with you for the most part. I also know that everyone (or everyone else anyway) always feels a need to overcompensate with their criticisms and cry fire when there isn't a need to.

So he was in a main event on Raw. Most every other week his spot on Raw is to be seen backstage looking like a fool or getting insulted and made fun of by almost everyone on the roster all the way up to HHH. Let the dog have his day for once.

 

[Martin Gabriel]

By the way, if you look at Ryder's body of work, including his heel run on ECW when this gimmick began, you'd see he's actually a very competent worker. Main event worthy? No, but a "main event quality wrestler" doesn't just manifest itself as technical ability. A match in the mid-card of Superstars still won't feel like a main event worthy match if it's not given the appropriate hype nor character development. I've seen Zack Ryder in many contexts and I can tell that he has more versatility than just his present gimmick. If they opt to elevate him above the mid-card one day, I believe he'd have the ability to satisfy their needs. However, this over-the-top comedy gimmick might make it harder to push him much higher with the stain of his former gimmick looming over him.

 

[Notorious718]

Aw lighten up, Sally.

It's really not a big deal, in my opinion. The only real reason I can think of for having Ryder in the main event was due to the fact that Awesome Truth had assaulted him so having him partner up with Cena to get retribution makes sense. I don't think it's a sign of him making the permanent transition into main event status anytime in the foreseeable future. After this, I see him going back to being a top contender for the US title and that's really perfect for him at the moment. Yeah, I suppose there are others who could've benefited more from the airtime but having Ryder in the main event made sense.

I personally find Ryder entertaining and I wouldn't mind him in the main event scene for the sake of having a fresh face in it but I don't see it happening now, especially with his goofy gimmick. As said earlier, it's like watching Santino in that his gimmick is good for comic relief and not for the main event scene.

 

[JWGunslinger]

I feel where you're coming from Sally, but not to the same extent. I am not a fan of Ryder and I think he's a goof that gets more love than he deserves but he doesn't really bother me aside from the fact that my little brother shouts "WOO WOO WOO YOU KNOW IT!" around the house atleast 10 times a day.

Him being in the main event really doesn't bother me, he's hot right now for some reason that I haven't been able to figure out and the people but he's selling and he has fans so why not. He isn't too bad in the ring, he's decent in promos and he's a hell of a lot more entertaining than most of the lower guys on Raw like Otunga and Ryan. Sure he's a goofy bozo but he's got charisma, and does he deserve to be a main event main stay? I would say definitely not but it could be alot worse, and having him in a Raw main event every once and a while won't hurt so long as it isn't one on one.

I was a bit bothered by Cena introducing Ryder as a future Hall Of Famer, when he did that and Ryder came out I wanted to pull a Miz and just repeat "Really?". Introduce him as a goddamn future US Champion or something like that but goddamn future HOF? I won't deny his popularity and there are plenty of people in the HOF who aren't quite deserving but damn it don't say he's going to be a member, or atleast don't talk about it right now, bring it up if he wins a World Title. I know I shouldn't care so much about something so stupid but I didn't think that it was the right thing to say and I was getting my hopes up for someone better.

 

[TWJC: The Beginning]

You guys are pathetic. "PUSH RYDER" "I CAN'T BELIEVE HE WAS IN THE MAIN EVENT"

Most of you guys have the thought process of an autistic child. By that I mean it's hard for you to communicate emotion and you can't really comprehend human emotion either.

Ryder was the perfect partner. He's Cena's buddy. It wasn't a PUSH. It was a RUB. Ryder in the main was perfect. He didn't look amazing and even King said "he's inexperienced, he's going to make mistakes". It's well known that he's Cena's buddy (kayfabe and possibly otherwise). So why is it bad?

Being in the main event isn't a push, you have to look at it in context. It isn't "if you're in the main event, we think you're a main eventer no matter what". It was "congratulations Ryder, you're very over and we're going to put you in a match with Cena and Awesome Truth to make you more visible so you'll sell more merch for us".

Jesus Christ the things on here.

 

[TWJC: The Beginning]

I feel where you're coming from Sally, but not to the same extent. I am not a fan of Ryder and I think he's a goof that gets more love than he deserves but he doesn't really bother me aside from the fact that my little brother shouts "WOO WOO WOO YOU KNOW IT!" around the house atleast 10 times a day.

Him being in the main event really doesn't bother me, he's hot right now for some reason that I haven't been able to figure out and the people but he's selling and he has fans so why not. He isn't too bad in the ring, he's decent in promos and he's a hell of a lot more entertaining than most of the lower guys on Raw like Otunga and Ryan. Sure he's a goofy bozo but he's got charisma, and does he deserve to be a main event main stay? I would say definitely not but it could be alot worse, and having him in a Raw main event every once and a while won't hurt so long as it isn't one on one.

I was a bit bothered by Cena introducing Ryder as a future Hall Of Famer, when he did that and Ryder came out I wanted to pull a Miz and just repeat "Really?". Introduce him as a goddamn future US Champion or something like that but goddamn future HOF? I won't deny his popularity and there are plenty of people in the HOF who aren't quite deserving but damn it don't say he's going to be a member, or atleast don't talk about it right now, bring it up if he wins a World Title. I know I shouldn't care so much about something so stupid but I didn't think that it was the right thing to say and I was getting my hopes up for someone better.

The bold part should tell you a lot. He connects with the fans. People believe his character, he sells well, he's a modern character, and he is constantly in character. He's memorable.

Who cares if Cena introduces him as a future hall of famer? Really, you think it means he will? More autistic logic. Pro wrestling is full of exaggerations. are you pissed at Hogan for saying, at Mania 4, that he would slam andre, the fault line would crack and fill with water (what fault line in jersey?) and then Hogan would swim all the hulkamaniacs and THANK GOD DONALD TRUMP is a hulkamaniac and BROTHER DUDE JACK YEA.....and none of that happened? Are you mad that rock never actually shoved something up someone's ass (for a guy who made a lot of homophobic jokes, Rock as pretty homo-erotic).?

 

[ThatGuy99]

I wasn't too shocked or anything about it. Ryder is the flavour of the month, but he's gonna have to tweak his character soon. A few people are starting to get over him and his videos already. Something Zack acknowledged in an earlier episode.

True Long Island Story has just about run its course.
What's he gonna do now? :/

 

[jrichardson25]

Got a sinking feeling last night when Cena was announcing his upcoming tag team match with a "WWE Future Hall of Famer" as his partner........ and out comes Zack Ryder. When one can get the title of a topic from what's written on the seat of a guy's trunks, you know something's amiss.

Was Zack actually a part of Monday Night RAW's main event? Really? Really?

Isn't this push going a little too far? Watching him go through his wild gesticulations while apparently enjoying himself against three guys who are supposedly involved in a blood feud, it occurred to me that, with Zack, we're watching the second coming of Scotty Too Hotty. Instead of doing the Worm, Zack was teaming with Cena on a "you can't see me" gesture in the middle of a hot match. I didn't see how that differs from what Scotty used to do.

Of course, maybe I'm wrong. Maybe a lot of you are truly enjoying this guy. If so, I stand corrected.

But, sincerely, folks. I thought Vince McMahon was giving a brief nod to the fans of Zack's Internet campaign by allowing him a little air time, but this is getting ridiculous. The man is intentionally acting like a clown (Woo! Woo! Woo!)...... and now he's in the main event of an overseas, pre-Survivor Series, prime time show?

What, the Bushwhackers weren't available?

He might be flavor of the month but he has proved that he can hang. He's done what he has to do to make his way. He didn't whine about not getting a push. He took the initiative. All I have to say is he is the 1% of this generation. A lot of people have the ability but Ryder trumps all of them with the drive and wanting to push ahead. Just a thought...

 

[FitFinlay4Life]

I'm pretty much 'meh' either way.

Let's face it, R-Truth is a comedic character too so why not bring out your own idiotic partner in response? Is this any worse than the age old habit of throwing two headliners, who are feuding, together to take on the Tag Champs just so one can shaft the other? On one hand, I don't see it as a major detrimental occurrence.

However, on the other side of the argument, given that Ryder has been portrayed as a pretty impotent threat, it doesn't really make sense to me as a main event from a viewing ratings standpoint. He may be getting portrayed as a serious threat to the US Belt but let's be honest, Ziggler & Swagger have been portrayed as a Laurel & Hardy act for a while now too.

On one hand, I don't think this ME would make me turn off but neither would it make me switch over to it. So, yeah - 'meh'.

 

[TheGamea]

Got a sinking feeling last night when Cena was announcing his upcoming tag team match with a "WWE Future Hall of Famer" as his partner........ and out comes Zack Ryder. When one can get the title of a topic from what's written on the seat of a guy's trunks, you know something's amiss.

Was Zack actually a part of Monday Night RAW's main event? Really? Really?

Isn't this push going a little too far? Watching him go through his wild gesticulations while apparently enjoying himself against three guys who are supposedly involved in a blood feud, it occurred to me that, with Zack, we're watching the second coming of Scotty Too Hotty. Instead of doing the Worm, Zack was teaming with Cena on a "you can't see me" gesture in the middle of a hot match. I didn't see how that differs from what Scotty used to do.

Of course, maybe I'm wrong. Maybe a lot of you are truly enjoying this guy. If so, I stand corrected.

But, sincerely, folks. I thought Vince McMahon was giving a brief nod to the fans of Zack's Internet campaign by allowing him a little air time, but this is getting ridiculous. The man is intentionally acting like a clown (Woo! Woo! Woo!)...... and now he's in the main event of an overseas, pre-Survivor Series, prime time show?

What, the Bushwhackers weren't available?

to be honest im SHOCKED that this didnt happen sooner, I read sumthing about how wwe doesnt take advantage of opportunities and this was one zack is prolly the most popular internet wrestling icon that hasnt been feed by the wwe machine and they did nothing with him, he has a youtube show he brought a internet belt and they did nothing with him, there where hundred of fans with WOO WOO WOO sign and shirt when he WASNT ON THE CARD, I mean how MUCH writing NEEDED to be on the wal before WWE gave him a push...

Its like if someone told you, you could bu google for 2 dollars a share and its already at 200 dollers a share...even if it goes no where you've already made money...

but im not a zack fan, I think he annoying but his popularly cant be matched, and why he hasnt got his title shot or even brung his internet champ belt on raw is beyond me...

 

[Lockard23]

Well, ZR is certainly not the worst thing on Raw, but calling him a future HoFer is a bit much. He has decent matches, although I can't really stand him and all this broski crap. Not even sure what to call that thing he did with Cena last night, nor have I ever seen any of his Long Island Tea commercials, or whatever it is he does on youtube.

 

[The Dragon Saga]

I'm putting it down simply to the fact that R-Truth and The Miz attacked Ryder and that Cena was joking around when he claimed Ryder was a "Future WWE Hall of Famer." Zack Ryder in the Hall of Fame makes me cringe and I mean that in the literal sense, I am cringing right now as I type this because that image burns away at my mind and soul.

I totally agree with D-Man, why Ryder is still getting this monster push is baffling. They need to pull him back a bit and learn how to time these things correctly. Giving him a go at Ziggler's US Championship I didn't mind, hell I was happy when Ziggler defeated Ryder because for one, Ziggler is a much better fit for US Champion and two, Ryder doesn't deserve it yet.

Really though, a lot of people have said it and it's true, Ryder is probably in the ME position because everyone else has something going on. Ryder, although annoying, is currently one of the top faces they have to utilize so he is placed in the ME alongside Cena for that reason. Hopefully It'll be his last ME for a while, a long ass while.

 

[TWJC: The Beginning]

I'm putting it down simply to the fact that R-Truth and The Miz attacked Ryder and that Cena was joking around when he claimed Ryder was a "Future WWE Hall of Famer." Zack Ryder in the Hall of Fame makes me cringe and I mean that in the literal sense, I am cringing right now as I type this because that image burns away at my mind and soul.

I totally agree with D-Man, why Ryder is still getting this monster push is baffling. They need to pull him back a bit and learn how to time these things correctly. Giving him a go at Ziggler's US Championship I didn't mind, hell I was happy when Ziggler defeated Ryder because for one, Ziggler is a much better fit for US Champion and two, Ryder doesn't deserve it yet.

Really though, a lot of people have said it and it's true, Ryder is probably in the ME position because everyone else has something going on. Ryder, although annoying, is currently one of the top faces they have to utilize so he is placed in the ME alongside Cena for that reason. Hopefully It'll be his last ME for a while, a long ass while.

Reel it back how? He's over. That's all that fucking matters. I don't care if you like him, if I ilke him, if poster number 385 likes him. He's over, he deserves a push. He's not pushed as a main eventer. He's pushed and treated like a goofy but popular guy with heart, which is pretty much what he is. What's the big deal? He's not badass enough? He doesn't have enough "edge"?

He's pushed exactly how he is. Pro wrestling is a business and wrestlers are products.

 

[X]

You're overreacting Sally m'gal. So what if he's the second coming of Scotty 2 Hotty? Scotty 2 Hotty aka Scott Taylor was actually pretty good and successful in this business for a few years, wrestling has enough serious characters, but they don't have enough varied comedic characters that don't devolve into total self-parody within weeks (ala Santino) so it's good to have someone who's both satirizing and living the whole Jersey Shore "GTL" lifestyle who doesn't take himself too seriously. Shit if he did, it would get stale real quick. Who cares if he gets to main event some Raws? Everyone has main evented Raw, EVERYONE. Right now Ryder is one of the hottest young commodities in the company and it's simply because he's one of the few wrestlers who actually understands the impact and effect that utilizing social media can have for you, especially when you personalize it like Ryder has with his webisodes. This is uncharted territory right now, the world of social media, and Ryder was able to tap into that and produce his own fanbase that eventually became so vocal that they tapped into and infiltrated the every-day "casual wrestling fan" who doesn't prowl the IWC by sheer will. Ryder did something no other wrestler has ever done before him...he took a gimmick that would kill most people's careers, and he lived it and got that character and wrestler over with every fan by sheer willpower. Who doesn't love a good success story? This is a microcosm of the whole "American Dream" theory itself, Ryder followed all the rules and played the game and he still didn't get anywhere until he took things into his own hands and simply FORCED himself to succeed, which in itself is a part of the spirit of this entire nation. Ryder is popular for good reason too, not just for the silliness of the gimmick, but because he's a damn good worker, he's got a great sense of humor, he's in-touch with alot of hip/trendy e-culture, and he got where he is today by working at his gimmick day and night online like no one else before him until he had to succeed. Ryder is one of the most promising young talents in the company right now honestly because once this whole gimmick does finally run it's course....you've still got a young, athletic, determined worker who has a proven past record of connecting with the fans, WITHOUT the WWE's help. Anyone hating on the dude is simply hating for the sake of hating I'm afraid.

Sorry Sally my darling, but I must call bullshit this one and only time on your otherwise impeccable wrestling taste/threads/etc.