**MERGED** All Ryback Discussion (Keep all of it in here!!)

[akathelaw]

Ryback is the best midcarder in the WWE, and he's totally ready for the main event.

The pros of Ryback are solid: He's big and muscular; has the body type of Batista, Goldberg, Scott Steiner and other heavyweights. His colorful tights set him apart, he has an expressive and memorable face. He cuts promos that are reminiscent of Ultimate Warrior and Undertaker, with a few years he can build one hell of a mystique.

What are the cons? I don't see any. Fans chanting Goldberg will pass, and it's actually really irrelevant considering how little Goldberg has accomplished compared to other legends. Ryback should and will surpass him with time.

 

[BaconBits]

Actually, Punk's biggest problem right now is the fact his drawing power has been shot to pieces thanks to this badly timed heel turn. He can certainly carry the show & drive storylines forward, but putting bums in seats is another matter.

No, the fact that he can't put butts in the seats and eyes on the TV is EXACTLY why he is incapable of carrying a show. The name of the game isn't furthering storylines, it's making money.

All of professional wrestling is about making money. There is no "love of the business" or any other ******ed justification people come up with to justify thier horrifyingly bad ideas.

 

[Jack-Hammer]

I'm a fan of Daniel Bryan but I can't see how he has anything whatsoever to do with Ryback's current success.

If anything, Bill Goldberg is ultimately what's had to do more with Ryback's success than anything as probably 90% of Ryback's overall character is identical to that of Bill Goldberg's.

What you first notice about Ryback is the man's look. He's just a big thick slab of muscle that looks flat out intimidating as hell. Just like Bill Goldberg. You mix in a hefty amount of intensity with that look, add a dash of what almost looks like barely contained homicidal rage, throw in a few drops of communicating mostly through facial expressions & body language and sprinkle some genuine athletic ability into the mix, and you've essentially got the recipe for Ryback.

One thing about Ryback that, for now, seems to be working is that we haven't really seen his type of character in a very long time. Most of the big muscle guys that you see in wrestling are generally guys that have a great look and that's about it. Ryback is someone that has the potential to generate legit personality and he's also not some slow & clumsy oaf inside the ring. He's fast and moves very well inside the ring.

Ryback's popularity has skyrocketed in the past few weeks due, I think, to the fact that they're putting Ryback in high profile situations with great talent. CM Punk is the top heel in wrestling right now, I honestly don't see how anyone could think otherwise. Punk is someone that's gone from being probably the most popular babyface to the most hated heel within the span of a couple of months. Unlike a lot of heels these days, Punk isn't trying to be a "cool heel". He's not trying to be some "edgy" tweener, anti-hero. He wants you to dislike him. Everything he does and says during his promos is to generate dislike towards him as a character. When CM Punk was bullying Jim Ross, arguably the most beloved non-wrestler in pro wrestling history, Ryback came out to defend Jim Ross and stand up to CM Punk. Since that night, since those brief 3 or 4 minutes in which Ryback came out & stood up for Jim Ross, his career & popularity has been soaring. Why? The oldest and most sensible reason there is: they wanna see Ryback beat up CM Punk because Punk's a mean spirited, arrogant son of a bitch.

I love Daniel Bryan but, right now, if you want to attribute Ryback's current level of success and growing popularity among fans to any single wrestler, attribute it to CM Punk for being a heel that's so easy to despise.

 

[scomvp316]

So I guess beating Cena in every economical category for the last year means nothing? WWE has messed up more of Punk's storylines than anyother star in the last twenty years. WWE hates the fact that a guy like Punk with similiar attributes to Randy Savage could actually be more popular than Cena. Thats the reason they turned him heel instead of a character more like a tweener. No talent that privately wants to be built as the guy but at the end of the day management completely screws over more than Punk. They still have no idea on how to book him properly. The biggest reason is because he isn't a "Yes Man" to the company. There is not one talent in the industry today that can touch Punk on the mic or in-ring work. Punk can draw if giving the right storylines. Punk works better as the paranoid the whole world is against me type of character. There are more Punk T-Shirts being worn at events for tv than any other talent including Cena!

 

[anvilx8]

this is a stretch of a thread. Were u searching for something to post about? Theres is NO correlation between "YES" chant/bryan and Ryback. Thats like saying anyone who has the fans chant for him is the same, and thats why theyre successful

 

[roethlisberger78]

Well I'll say this I dont believe DB had anything at all to do with Ryback getting over so quickly I will say that Ryback playing with the crowd has helped him out alot. I told my wife this some time last year that in the 80s all the wrestlers played with the crowd either heel or face they all did it in one way or another and then it died off for the longest time other than a few select wrestlers. Now not to long ago it seems to be picking back up again and I think this is only great for the WWE because if the crowd aint into your show well then you might as well not even put on a show. I wish more wrestlers would play with the crowd because it would make the show seem so much more bigger I guess is what im trying to get it. So to summerize I dont think DB helped Ryback but I do think that Ryback playing with the crowd has helped him shoot up to the top a lot quicker then he might have.

 

[barclayteo]

Daniel bryans yes chant has nothing to do with Ryback's success. Frankly imo excluding Ryback's look that makes people think goldberg, I would say the reason the fans get behind him is his entrance music.

By this I mean if you listen to his music it gets the crowd pumped up, and his qoute is in the song feed me more. It's like hulk hogans original hulkamania music, or goldbergs, or randy ortons.

Now don't call me stupid by saying all their momentum, and their popularity are based on the theme music because I am not. But the music help gets the crowd pumped up it encourages them to start chants, and thats what help Ryback is the crowd chants.

 

[Jack-Hammer]

At the end of last night's Main Event, Ziggler put out an open challenge to any Superstar in the back to face him on Main event next week. Ryback accepted the challenge.

This match presents an interesting set of possibilities. For one, we've yet to see Ryback really tested in anything beyond 3 minute matches. Second, this is an opportunity to see what Ryback really has beyond the general 3 minute squash matches that make up the VAST majority of his wins in WWE thus far. Third, this is an opportunity for WWE to make both Ryback & Ziggler look good. Fourth, it's also an opportunity to see truly what Ryback's weaknesses are if they give this match a good amount of time.

Ryback is going to win this match, let's just get that out of the way. He's facing CM Punk at Hell in a Cell for the WWE Championship next Sunday, so Ziggler is going to lose this match next Wednesday. However, as alluded to earlier, this is an opportunity that WWE has and I hope that they make the most of it. Even though Ziggler is going to lose, he can still look great by being the first guy to sort of take Ryback to the limit. All the main event matches on Main Event thus far have gone about the 18 to 22 minute range. I don't look for them to make an exception for this match. After all, I imagine that'll be at least the time limit for Ryback's match against Punk next Sunday.

Also, it's a way of seeing if Ryback really has weaknesses to work on. After all, we've got to start seeing him in real matches and Ziggler is someone that most certainly has the ability to carry him in a long match.

If they make this just another Ryback squash, I'll be extremely disappointed because it's not going to do anybody any favors. It won't do any good for Ryback, it'll just make Ziggler look like a complete punk and it'll hurt the vibe of what's been an entertaining show thus far. I want to see a real match between these two. Otherwise, just keep it on Raw if they want Ziggler to get squashed like a bug for some odd reason.

 

[3drinks]

Yeah, I imagine this will be Ryback's real test; if he does good here, he gets the championship and continues the streak Sunday. If he under-performs the vast expectations set before him here, then his push gets nix'd and he jobs to Punk and we lose all this fantastic build-up they have going for him. It definitely can't be a squash, ZigZag Man holds MitB and has said he will be leaving with the World title...if he loses hardcore to Ryback, he can't possibly be taken seriously to win the WHC from "The Great White No-Seller" Sheamus.

I hope, for his sake, and especially working with a great talent like ZigZag Man, he can make this a great match. #FeedMeMore

 

[HBsam31]

This will be very interesting for me as I am now convinced they are going pull the trigger on Ryback, and have him defeat Punk. Something about the end of Raw that made me think wow they should probably roll with him. I hope they don't make Ziggler look terrible here, and that it is actually a real test for Ryback. If Ryback looks weak after a longer match with Ziggler I can definitely see them nixing his push. I hope both men come out of this looking good. I hate to see Punk's run come to an end, but if all goes well in this match I could see Ryback taking the title.

 

[mancpenguin]

I have to admit before the whole Summer of Punk thing I was getting bored with what WWE was producing. It was something different and got people talking again. The problem that someone like CM Punk has is that the part time viewer probably doesn't know that much about him or is that bothered to be honest. They will still pay money to see John Cena or The Rock but probably not as keen to see CM Punk as the face of the company.

Best talent in the ring doesn't always equal biggest draw for the company.

 

[R.K.O]

Wow. Can't wait to see how Ziggler sells Ryback's clothesline, it will be sick. As for the match, not sure what to expect as I don't really know how Ryback is in a match longer than 3 mins. Ryback is going to win for sure and they probably chose Ziggler to make Ryback look as strong as possible going to HIAC with his crazy selling.

 

[nwotaz23]

i think ryback wins and i also think ziggler cashs in at hell in a cell im pretty sure its on for the world title so sheamus wins and big show knocks him out and dolph is champ if he can cash in for wwe title ryback wins and either punk takes him out or a better option is brock does and doplh is champ

 

[fafa1021]

I kind of like this match as it might be a glimpse into the future. Ziggler and Ryback appear to be two guys that will be a BIG part of WWE moving forward and a few years from now could end up being a PPV Main Event. We all know Ziggler is going to job to the Big Hungry (AWFUL NICKNAME!!!) but it should be fun to watch if he can keep up with Dolph's work rate.

 

[scomvp316]

I do agree that casual fans may not know about Punk as much as other media driven talent. I also believe the hardcore WWE loyalists support whatever face the WWE tries to jam down the fans throat. However anyone that says if a talent remains in the Top 2 in merchandise sales and isn't a draw isn't a very smart fan. Seeing thats the very excuse both WWE and its loyal fans always mention to the semi anti-WWE fans of who deserves a push into the main event scene. Punk is a top draw because from early projections of his new dvd sales is easily eclipsing Cena's and Orton's sales of their dvd's at this point. What I mean by that is Punk compared to Cena and Orton new released dvd's within the first month Punk is way ahead of units sold based off of first month projections that is calculated from the first few weeks of the release!

 

[barclayteo]

I think it's a lose lose situation for both men unless the match ends in a dq. Look at it this way if this is another ryback squash match then it makes ziggler look incredibly weak considering he is holding the briefcase.

If ryback loses then it will make him look weak coming from his undefeated streak, and his title shot in hell in the cell. Now we all hope this will be a 15 minute match or longer to see if ryback is more than a 3 minute match kind of guy.

If the match does go on, and highlight both wrestlers, while giving each man a spot to look like they will lose then it will be good, unless 1 of them lose fairly. Ryback cant afford to lose clean on wensday, or even in hell in the cell because his push is still early.

What I think will happen is that before ryback wins either vickie will interfere which will either give dolph time to run, and get counted out to avoid him losing clean. Or punk will interfere before the match is over and attack ryback to try and weaken him before their match.

Now what will happen for ziggler if he lets himself get counted out will not be bad, because he has the briefcase which means he doesn't have to continually fight to stay in the lead for a title shot like everyone else. So he can get counted out, and disqualified all he likes, and it won't hurt him much because he is a heel, and he holds the briefcase which like all the other heels who held the case they play by their own rules.

Also if punk interfers and attacks ryback it will allow the match to end in controversy while letting ryback keep his momentum because before he can get "seriously injured" either ryback will get a second surge of strength to beat back punk, or cena will run in to stop punk from completely blindsiding him.

 

[Mustang Sally]

Just another step up the ladder for Ryback. I've been surprised and pleased management has allowed a couple of his "opponents" to deliver some offense against Ryback, and even more pleased to see he can be hurt, rather than watching him brush off every foe's feeble attempt to bring him down. Those "two on one" encounters grew boring so quickly I was afraid Ryback was going to be depicted as an immovable object.....an indestructible force. Glad I was wrong.

Still, while Dolph will be scripted to get in more offense than anyone else so far, it isn't a question of him beating Ryback cleanly, is it? He'll confront the big guy with sneaky tactics, standing still in front of him only when Ryback is scheduled to deliver one of his clotheslines. Dolph gets in some shots, then loses cleanly.

Where WWE is going with Ryback is obvious.....what they're doing with Dolph, less so. When he won MITB, I figured they were finally launching him to the top.....and they may yet do that when he cashes in......still, he loses a lot for someone who gets the constant exposure he does, no? He treads the line between star and jobber.

But this match is about Ryback, not Dolph.

 

[#hamler]

What a better way for Ryback to gain even more momentum than defeating the money in the Bank contract winner? Ziggler's selling ability will undoubtedly make Ryback's powerful maneuvers look like a million bucks - Dolph Ziggler is Ryback's perfect opponent right now. I don't see a reason for this match to end in anyway that doesn't see Ryback's hand being raised. While it is true Ziggler is the money in the bank winner, he doesn't need a win over a credible upper midcard wrestler like Ryback does at the moment. Ryback has done little but squash alot of nameless jobbers. Ziggler is a step up. While I don't see Dolph walking away the victor here, he will still be put over. Whether it's getting in more offense than every other opponent in Ryback's career, or gaining heat, Dolph is up against someone who is mad over with the crowd - this can only do good for both of these men if the match goes down correctly. But like Sally says, this match isn't about Ziggler rather it's about Ryback. Dolph Ziggler's time will come, Ryback's time is now.

 

[CRuckVoV]

I personally don't see any reason to make Ryback the champion at all. His character and his work so far is so limited that I don't see how the title would do anything for him. Plus his gimmick is predicated on supreme dominance, and I see a loss or any prolonged or severe moment of vulnerability or disadvantage would tank his character really fast. I just don't see the appeal

 

[CRuckVoV]

I have to admit before the whole Summer of Punk thing I was getting bored with what WWE was producing. It was something different and got people talking again. The problem that someone like CM Punk has is that the part time viewer probably doesn't know that much about him or is that bothered to be honest. They will still pay money to see John Cena or The Rock but probably not as keen to see CM Punk as the face of the company.

Best talent in the ring doesn't always equal biggest draw for the company.

I don't see any reason why Punk wouldn't be just as big a draw as Cena. The WWE stuck with Cena when the fans hated him and eventually outlasted that reaction by driving away the detractors and creating a new audience that liked Cena. Of course pushing Punk isn't going to have immediate returns as a face of the company. The audience is Cenation, but with support from the company and the patience to build the fanbase, Punk can be the man.

 

[Lockard23]

Punk is the biggest star of the WWE. Cena has to kiss up and get little kids who would cheer for almost anything to get pops, and even then still gets booed by half the crowd. Punk got the whole crowd behind him earlier this year and not only did the adult audience love him, even some kids were wearing his shirts. If the company ever changed direction, it would not be hard to replace Cena with Punk. And Cena was the one who pushed for the PG, it had nothing to do with Linda. It started with Cena, he went to Vince and wanted it more kid-friendly and that's what we got. Of course, he was booed years before the PG came, even when he was edgier he was corny. He really has nothing on Punk, who is more talented in every aspect and now Cena has to come out and call him irrelevant just to make himself seem better. It didn't work, we know Punk is better.

 

[asiatic7]

Before any Ryback marks get upset...cool ya jets and hear me out.

It's obvious that we've seen this before. A guy with a great build, charisma and intensity to boot comes along, makes an immediate impact, a boat load of money and is almost never heard from again. I'm not saying that's a terrible thing, but it leaves me to wonder: Does WWE have long term plans for Ryback?

So far he is following in the footsteps of two of the most intense, impactful guys to step foot in the squared circle, Warrior and Goldberg. Like these two men, Ryback is full of charisma, has a great look...and is limited in the ring.
After these two men won Their first world titles, it wasn't much to their careers afterwards. Agree? They didn't share the spoils of immortality that most guys who spent years crafting their skills have. Guys like Undertaker, HBK, HHH, Bret, Flair...The greats. You get it. And that's ok! Maybe Goldberg and Warrior didn't want to destroy their bodies and minds for so long in a gruesome sport. Maybe it was all for money, lack of passion, WHATEVER! It's still ok. My point is this...

By no means am I a booker or head of talent relations, but I think WWE needs to add layers to Ryback's character if he's in it for the long haul. I personally would make him a little vunerable, let him sell moves instead of bouncing right back from them alaWarrior. I would have him add a submission hold to his repertoire ala John Cena so that he doesn't get bland fast. It's gonna be a time when someone kicks out of his current finisher. Also, I would give him some mic time to connect more with the fans. It will be a matter of time before "Feed Me More!" runs its course. Also, the mic time would take away some of the mystique of his character, Hear me out, don't condemn me to hell yet! I feel if he has all this mystique around him and he wins the title...what then? What happens when he loses? The momentum is gone and he's not as invincable... I feel you can add all these qualities over time and not lose any interest in him. Just my opinion. Without carrying on about this and dragging it out... What are you guys thoughts about my theory to extend Ryback's shelf life? Are you for it? Do you have your own suggestions, tweaks or should the character be left how he is?

Discuss! Discuss! Discuss!

 

[Lockard23]

Ryback is a blatant Goldberg ripoff, nothing more. Bryan had nothing to do with it, most of these kids cheering for him weren't even alive when Goldberg was big, so they think he's original but for those of us who were around, we know better. He will never be as big as Goldberg.

 

[Midnite Express 2009]

Yes. The reason why is because WWE is trying to get the most in the least amount of time. So typical of them though. They're pushing him to the moon all because he's getting huge pops right now. But if history is any indicator, the more they push him, the less & less the fans will like him and the more they'll start to get tired of him.

I personally think he shouldn't be in this program with Punk and it shows 2 things about WWE. Lack of creative focus for the long haul and lack of great role players for Punk. This match is so awkward. I seriously doubt that a year from now Ryback will be as over as he's now, and that's because WWE would have by then oversaturated everyone with his presence. His gimmick is one dimensional and sooner or later he'll fizzle out.

 

[silrock316]

Yes. The reason why is because WWE is trying to get the most in the least amount of time. So typical of them though. They're pushing him to the moon all because he's getting huge pops right now. But if history is any indicator, the more they push him, the less & less the fans will like him and the more they'll start to get tired of him.

I personally think he shouldn't be in this program with Punk and it shows 2 things about WWE. Lack of creative focus for the long haul and lack of great role players for Punk. This match is so awkward. I seriously doubt that a year from now Ryback will be as over as he's now, and that's because WWE would have by then oversaturated everyone with his presence. His gimmick is one dimensional and sooner or later he'll fizzle out.

First I don't want you to feel like im bashing your comment because its well typed and I can tell you actually thought about what you wanted to type.

I will start with what I agree with and that is the fact that Ryback and Punk should be NOWHERE near each other right now. Ryback went from people complaining about his 2 on 1 squash matches and that he was not facing anyone important, to beating the Miz and then boom real quick he is in the title picture. It is WAY too fast for that rise.

If the WWE didn't rush him like this and they let him build by beating midlevel talent a little longer and then stay undefeated somewhat like what they did with Goldberg, then he would easily have the staying power with his character as is. Look at Goldberg, he was vanilla as hell but people still care. He was as one dimensional as you get but people loved him. Ryback has that same staying power but WWE is going to destroy him because the second he loses he WILL lose some steam.

Now..where I completely disagree with you and the original poster is I seen stated that monster faces with great builds and his skill set ALWAYS come and go....when? Mason Ryan didnt have his skill set...who else is anything like him? Batista? He had staying power, no? I think he did. Fact is they don't try this that often and if they did it right, he could be pretty good..bad part is, they are rushing him.