Is Ryder The Only Guy Who Can Produce A Mankind Like Moment In The Next Year or Two?

[wrestlingfanusa]

So as we all know zack ryder has been held back for a while now. He's just now getting his push, yets its a slow type push not sure where its going. My question is in the next year or two could a title win for the world title produce a big ratings boost if he won it? Now I'm not saying that he should win the world title at all. I'm saying he seems like the only guy that has a mankind type feel to him, kinda like when mankind beat the rock for his first world title years ago. I like alot of people love zach ryder, although i dont know yet if he's world title material. But does anyone think that if wwe wanted to get ratings that in a few years or however long that a come out of left field world title win would boost ratings. I mean the iron is hot for zach ryder right now dont know how long it will last though. But u think that would spike the ratings if he improved his game and mic skills. Just a thought bc hes kinda that thorn in the bosses side like mankind use to be to Vince. Wat are your thoughts?

 

[mlp420]

I see what you're getting at, problem is I believe Vince was just in character when he said Mankind wasn't championship material. Mankind got pushed as a main eventer for 2+ years and fueded with Undertaker, HBK, and Austin before he turned face and won the belt, so obviously Vince thought highly of him. Zach Ryder on the other hand....

 

[crippler]

Zack Ryder would have to change his character a bit to be more serious if Vince was to make him WWE Champion or World Champion right now he is nothing more than a United States Champion, Intercontinental Champion or a Tag Team Champion

 

[OneTooManyPunts]

Ryder has the potential to create a huge moment with a future title win, but that's a long ways away. He needs the right push, the right opponent, and a larger fan base first.

Another person capable of that kind of moment could be Daniel Bryan. He is the MiTB holder for SD, and he is an IWC fave.

 

[wrestlingfanusa]

As i was doing the thread, i thought to myself about daniel bryan being one other guy. But ryder does have a huge following and people make sure there voice is heard at raw and smackdown. Just imagine if he were to ever win the big one how much of a pop that would get. But yea i think that he needs to tweak his character or change it into a more serious role. But ryder is in the top 10 merchandise sellers list, so u never know.

 

[kor420]

Why are so many people ryder? i don't see anything special about the guy, and i actually think he sucks and borrrrrrring in the ring and on the mic. The day ryder become wwe champ or whc is the day i quit watching wrestling. He will have to make major changes to his gimmick, quite fist jacking the air and stop sounding like a stuttering flair and show me something in the ring that makes me go "wow" or deliver something on the mic that grabs my attention for i will ever be sold on him.


So will he pull a makind type moment? no!

 

[UrbanDynasty]

Tbh. I don't see Ryder the character becoming a WWE world champion. He could be a great US champion.
He has the talent and fanbase imo to be a world champion in a couple of years just as long as he doesnt keep his current gimmick..

 

[TheSammichEater]

What's wrong with his gimmick? It has gotten him over and has gotten him a larger fan base than most people thought possible! Also, what's so much different about his gimmick than Cena's rapping gimmick? Where did that get Cena? Oh yeah, he won his first WWE Title with the rapping gimmick. They're both just as much of a joke as another. Cena's gimmick was even created accidentally when someone overheard him rapping and told him he should do it in the ring. Ryder took to YouTube and did pretty much the same thing. I think his gimmick is good for the WHC or WWE title, even though its a different gimmick. Why not change the WHC or WWE picture of the "ideal" champion? Even if it's only for one champion

 

[Foshinzo]

I agree with everyone else when they provide Mick Foley's background.
Mick was always the underdog, the non-athlete that everyone pulled for. He was fun as Cactus Jack in WCW, but it was in ECW where Cactus won the hearts of wrestling fans with his ability to tell stories. Mick proved that you don't have to be perfect to tell a great story (most of the time, it helps to be flawed,) and people cheered for him because he was so good.

Zack is getting over on being a comedy character. Mick was at the point of his career where he could pull out Mr. Socko and people would laugh, but they loved him because of the effort he put forth, taking massive bumps and giving his all in every opportunity. Zack, while I do think is actually a talented performer, hasn't had a chance to prove whether or not he has that capability, and with the current WWE format, he may never get to. Mick, more than anyone else, in my opinion, built the WWF's Attitude Era. He had the opportunity to be as edgy as he wanted, and that got him over, because he didn't pull punches. He had a cult fanbase by the time he started, and he had a great gimmick. Overall, Mick is an icon, and while Zack may get his chance, I just don't think he's as good as Foley was at any point. Sorry to the Zack fans, but Mick is a god of pro wrestling.

 

[Workrate]

There isn't anyone currently on the roster that can create "a Mankind type moment". Mankind's championship win was years and years and years in the making. It wasn't just about getting a strong fan reaction or whatever.

 

[Peoples_Champ]

Mankind had the psychology and in-ring talent that nobody in the WWE has right now (with the exception of Punk and Orton IMO). I love the Ryder character but lets not go crazy, Zack Ryder went from Enhancement Talent to Midcarder, not Main Eventer.

As much as I love the Ryder character, the thought of him holding the main title is laughable. He can't really wrestle that well and, like everyone else says, he's a comedy wrestler. It's like asking why don't they put the title on Santino?

But everything in context, Zack Ryder is 26 and in 4-5 years could have developed enough talent to be in main events. But its too soon for him to be on that level.

 

[metalbass]

A Mankind type moment? No chance. A successful career? The ball seems to be in his court. He's still young and has talent so I could see him being a main player in the WWE if he works hard at it. It was his work and committment to exposure through Youtube that got him recognized. If there could be any parallel I may say a face version of the Miz would be the closest possible comparison due to their exposure outside of the WWE being the main cog in their professional wrestling career. Let's see where he is in about 2 years time.

 

[wrestlingfanusa]

Well i never said put the title on him right now. I think his character needs a bit of tweaking to a degree, like his theme music and his finisher. I love the theme music that he has, but it wouldn't work for a world champ. Also his finisher and gimmick needs tweaking, the roughrider i wouldn't buy as a main event finisher. It's even worse than the attitude adjustment. But if his momentum keeps going the way it is, then if he can tweak his character and still keep the fans with him i think he could make a transitional champion. I read the report on how much merchandise he is selling and i think they mite re tweak the character and make it more serious. I think a way to change his character would be to have a injury storyline, where he is injured and they show him getting surgery and his rehab. I think that would help him alot, maybe make him come back more determined.

 

[HorsemenNo4]

I don't see the comparison here. Mick worked his ass off for years before entering the WWE. He sacrificed bodyparts to make a good match. His love for wrestling and wanting to please fans made him someone special. Zack Ryder isn't the same type. I respect the fact he's gone outside of the WWE to gain attention. More wrestlers should use social media to get their character over since they're not being used on TV. Back on topic, I don't think the roster would hoist Ryder on their shoulders and applaud his win. He isn't nearly over as Mick was when he won.

 

[Hulk Hogan's Brother]

Mankind's win had more of a build to it than it jusst being a fluke victory. Everybody hated the fact that Vince had made Foley do his dirty work and had just shoved him aside once he had finished his job. On top of that Foley had been screwed out of the title many times and all that added to the drama. Zack Ryder isn't like Foley. What made Foley's chase for the title work was that it was well documented that he had a violent side to him and it was a matter of how long he would take to flip the lid. Once he flipped the lid, there was a legit chance that he could win the title in a fair match. That is what the fans believed. People like Zack Ryder but nobody believes he is world title material. His biggest victory to date has been against Dolph Ziggler and that too by interference from Hugh Jackman. The former champion tag notwithstanding, Ziggler is still at best an upper midcarder at this point. Till he starts having competitive matches with main eventers regularly he will never be seen in the same light.

However, I can see him having a Santino like moment. You know like Santino being on the verge of eliminating Alberto Del Rio and winning the Royal Rumble. Zack could simlarly have a title match against a heel where everyone expects him to be dusted off but he ends up giving the champ a hard time and only loses due to interference. Something like that could be a huge rub for him and really kickstart his career.

 

[Reflection]

agrees with crippler above. Ryder is mid-card talent, nothing more.
Some say he has a massive charisma; what's charisma if half the people don't have a clue what you are saying or trying to do? At least Bryan can wrestle, that will take him somewhere. But what about you Ryder? YouTube videos will only get you this far.
His catchphrase "R U SERIOUS BRO?>" makes sense though... when used on people that think he is main-event material.

 

[xoxo French Kiss xoxo]

If Ryder continues to sell merchandise with minimal exposure on TV then Vince will start buying into the hype. If Ryder can continue to be in the Top 10 in sales Vince will have no choice but to push him and utilize him.

Vince says he doesn't understand Punk, he doesn't understand Punks character, he doesn't get it, what Vince does understand is that CM Punk is making Vince and the WWE Money.

If Ryder can continue to do the same, Ryder will get pushed.

 

[Jack-Hammer]

I'm not seeing very many common links between Mankind & Zack Ryder. They're polar opposite characters portrayed by wrestlers with completely different styles.

Mick Foley traveled all over the world working in various promotions for over a decade before becoming a household name among wrestling fans. Zack Ryder is still a young guy, he's only in his mid 20s I believe, that's gained himself a following among wrestling fans through the internet. Ryder's approach to getting himself noticed has been unique and I think that it could pay off in the long run.

As far as Ryder being held back, well there are some legit factors for that in some ways. As I said, Ryder is still a very young guy. He's been in WWE for years already but he's only about 26 years old, so I can see WWE holding off on doing anything really serious with him until he gets older. Look at some of the problems WWE has had with Randy Orton. They pushed him to the moon when he was only in his mid 20s. Here we are now and at only 31 years of age, Randy Orton has already done it all in WWE. It's something that WWE wants to avoid, especially with Triple H now being in charge of development.

I think Ryder is entertaining, he's just kinda fun to watch in the ring and listen to on the mic. At the same time though, so is Santino Marella and NOBODY is going to take Santino Marella seriously as a main eventer with the sort of comedic character he portrays. It's the same thing with Ryder. Ryder's funny and entertaining in a harmless sorta way but the simple fact of the matter is that comedy gimmicks do not become main eventers. Santino is a guy that's been tossed a bone now and again, a few IC title runs and a run with the tag titles, because he's extremely loyal and he's always done whatever's been asked of him without complaint. I respect the guy for that. It's the mark of a true professional. It's sorta the same with Zack Ryder at this point in time. Ryder is over with fans but let's not overestimate how over he is. He's entertaining, but nobody's going to really buy into him as a serious title contender or major league star until he gets another character. They'll cheer when he comes out and get behind him in certain circumstances. But, seriously, could you picture Zack Ryder headlining a ppv with his current gimmick against Mark Henry for the WHC or even Cody Rhodes for the IC title?

 

[wrestlingfanusa]

Tell that to all the people who buying his merchandise. They will upgrade his gimmick, bc he's a top seller for the company and a top seller for them they have to take serious. If he left for tna then in there minds im sure tna could market him and help boost there sales. Face it dude, hes in the top ten in merchandise sales.

 

[brandonxthomas]

Mankind and Ryder could not be more different.

From what I've heard (correct me if I'm wrong), the Mankind character was made up by WWE and Foley didn't really like the character. Ryder, on the other hand, basicly made his character himself, or at least pushed it himself. The Ryder thing was totally organic.

I have so much respect for Ryder and always smile when he comes on. Does he need work? Obviously. Could he turn what he has done into something huge? I think so.