What are your thoughts on Ryback's return? We were never given any type ETA and my guess is they'll bring him back face... The team with Curtis axel was a complete waste of a guy with Ryback's size and look and he's also shown he can be pretty funny and charismatic on the mic and interviews. He's also a believable opponent for pretty much any size guy on the roster. Thoughts?
The Big Guy
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Jonyboyuk2
Getting Noticed By Management
Unfortunately, his start stop push in 2012 was a career tainter. He should have been in a mid card role for a year; but undefeated ala Goldber. He was pushed too quick on RAW, and ended up looking crap in the process. His return will be met with no enthusiasm.
Mustang Sally
Sells seashells by the seashore
That's true; he was. Injuries at the top of the roster created a need for a quick fix....and Ryback was it, making me think that those who claim Vince McMahon loves those big bodies were correct; I can't come up with a reason they chose Ryback to fight for the title several times, rather than someone else. At the time he was "tapped," Ryback had just finished his introductory campaign of crushing two tomato cans at once in the ring....and had embarked on a mini-program with Jinder Mahal (who went on to fame & fortune as a rock star
).Meanwhile, once Ryback had fought at the top, it was hard to drop him back to mid-card and maintain his credibility. It was a mess.
When he debuted, he was a face. It seemed incongruous for a monster like him to be a good guy, but the result wasn't too bad, especially when Ryback showed a bit more speaking ability than we might have expected.
When he comes back, make him a face again. It will be a change from what hadn't been working for him before he left.....and if he can uphold truth & justice by waging war against some of mega-heels of WWE, Ryback might yet have a little gas left in his tank.
EnoughIsEnough
Dark Match Jobber
What Mega-Heels? WWE is running out of heels, everyone is turning face already. He can still be a top heel if brought back right, they will need a guy like this once Lesner is gone and that'll probably be sooner than later. I liked the character Ryback, but he really was rushed. Just let him work his way back up to the main event status again the right way.
Bringing back Ryback could be a major part of WWE's next generation of heels if they don't cock it up. He needs to be booked as a monster, not a bully. His in-ring work is typical of a guy of his build so don't expect it to change but it could be sharpened up. Promo wise, better his actions spoke rather than he does himself, he was pretty poor at times on the mic so improving that side of his game has to be a massive area for him to work on. But the original Ryback character worked, just it was one dimensional and was rushed to a spot it honestly didn't deserve to be. Take him back to the wrecking ball, don't let him be a bully because he just can't do it. He's never going to be the next Lesnar, but just replacing somebody like Kane or Big Show would fit him down to the ground
I'm interested in his return. There is something about Ryback but I'm not sure what. He seems likeable. He has a good look and his matches -given the right opponent- are just fine.
Heel or face seems to be the big issue. I reckon he could be a fun-loving babyface. Just slapping the bad-guys around. Alternatively, he never really got fair chance at being a heel. He went from a feud to Cena pretty much straight into being a Paul Heyman guy which didn't work out. I think he also beat Chris Jericho but that was done in such a nothing way it was wasted.
Ryback is someone that can be used on the roster. He won't ever be the World Champ but I could see him feuding- heel or face- with some of the top guys. It's just finding the right character for him.
Heel or face seems to be the big issue. I reckon he could be a fun-loving babyface. Just slapping the bad-guys around. Alternatively, he never really got fair chance at being a heel. He went from a feud to Cena pretty much straight into being a Paul Heyman guy which didn't work out. I think he also beat Chris Jericho but that was done in such a nothing way it was wasted.
Ryback is someone that can be used on the roster. He won't ever be the World Champ but I could see him feuding- heel or face- with some of the top guys. It's just finding the right character for him.
Trance Metaphor
Floundering in Mid-Card Hell
I think they should give Ryback a second chance and have him come back better than before. Instead of super pushing him to the moon like they did before, he should dominate the Mid-Card scene and perhaps win the Intercontinental Championship. I'd like to see him give that title some meaning by defending it successfully multiple times like John Cena did back when he was WWE Champion in his earlier years. Only then could I see him fighting the top stars and looking good in the process. I think he could be a good consistent Main Eventer because he has the look and the moves to be one. But it should all take time and have a slower build-up.
Trill Co$by
Believes in The Shield!
Just because those stupid marks in the arena want to cheer heels and boo faces to seem cool doesn't mean anything. Rusev, Cesaro, Miz, Bo Dallas, Kane, Orton, Rollins, Goldust, Stardust, Bray Wyatt, Luke Harper, Eric Rowen, Tyson Kid (NXT but still), and others are heels. They're up against the good guys and refuse to follow the rules if there aren't any dire consequences, thus they're heels.
Also, I hate when stupid people say a superstar is rushed. There's no such thing as rushing people in wrestling. If anything, there's taking too long to capitalize on a grand opportunity. Ryback was pushed just how he needed to be. He squashed jobbers for a while, then went to some known names, and then he went to the main event. Unfortunately for Ryback, the Shield came along and took all momentum away from him. Even still, Ryback was over enough to where WWE could've made him WWE champion.
Have they ever even mentioned that he's out with an injury? I was wondering where he went until I saw it on some dirt sheet that he tweeted it out. Interesting that since he's been gone we've seen little of Curtis Axle as well.
I don't really care what they do with Ryback to be quite honest. As soon as they turned him heel, he seemed to lose everything he has gained, and never quite got it back. I don't think the fans care that much about him and it seems neither does the WWE. It remains to be seen, but I think he'll be back with Curtis Axle tag teaming again. That's the role they've given him and want to leave him there.
I don't really care what they do with Ryback to be quite honest. As soon as they turned him heel, he seemed to lose everything he has gained, and never quite got it back. I don't think the fans care that much about him and it seems neither does the WWE. It remains to be seen, but I think he'll be back with Curtis Axle tag teaming again. That's the role they've given him and want to leave him there.
Reflection
is a happier and wiser man
I think they should book him as what Mark Henry cannot be anymore. Y'know, he can wreck havoc in the upper mid card while not crossing paths with the main event guys. But we already have Rusev doing all that. His case his strange. If he is kept in the mid card as during the Rybaxel stint, it seems like a waste of talent for someone his size and strength. If he is sent to the main event, it will seem like he is undeserving of the spot because of many talented guys already being there, and him being stiff, unruly and everything. If he is given a monster push, it will seem like a 'lite' version of the "Feed Me More" run and he will meet with a dead end like he did the last time. On second thoughts, Rybaxel wasn't too bad after all. I think that's where he should be.
#hamler
That's all folks.
I feel like WWE creative missed their chance with creating a big star in Ryback when he was quickly thrown into the Punk/Cena feud. Does anyone remember how over Ryback was whenever he first got his hands on Punk? I legit wanted to see Ryback kick Punk's ass and I'm one of Punk's biggest supporters. I vividly remember the camera shaking from the crowds excitement whenever Ryback hoisted Punk above his shoulders for Shell Shock. He was mad over. The problem was he was pushed in the main event to quickly. WWE backed themselves into a corner whenever they booked Ryback into a match for the title against Punk knowing damn well Punk needed to hold the title a tad bit longer so he could lose it the The Rock come Royal Rumble. Add that loss in with a couple of beat downs from the Shield and Ryback's credibility and crowd reaction was no more.
Now that Ryback has been on the shelf for a good while, I feel coming back as Kane's replacement in The Authority would be the absolute best move for The Big Guy. Kane's career is winding down and face it, he's not exactly doing anything note worthy. The Authority needs a muscle. A guy who can take care of the Authority's dirty laundry all the while being groomed as a future top guy. Ryback fits that role better than anyone currently on the WWE roster and undoubtedly needs it the most.
Now that Ryback has been on the shelf for a good while, I feel coming back as Kane's replacement in The Authority would be the absolute best move for The Big Guy. Kane's career is winding down and face it, he's not exactly doing anything note worthy. The Authority needs a muscle. A guy who can take care of the Authority's dirty laundry all the while being groomed as a future top guy. Ryback fits that role better than anyone currently on the WWE roster and undoubtedly needs it the most.
So what should Ryback do upon return? He should be pushed again to be frank. I wasn't watching when his momentum got slammed...and really I'm glad I wasn't. Some people seem so upset about it. The fans want to cheer him. He should bring back the "Feed me more" chant, his first week back he should wrestle Curtis Axel...not to destroy him but to win and show their team is over. It would show Ryback is the destined one in the team, then he could gradually work his way up.
The gimmick would be "Feed me more" plus retribution. I'm surprised the WWE didn't blame someone for the injury but by not blaming anyone that means he can blame it on management. After a few weeks dominating the mid card he sees an opportunity and takes it attacking Kane. Kane being the lowest rung on the authority totem pole, plus the only one I don't already book into a feud(Triple H with Reigns and Ambrose, Orton with Rollins eventually). Hell if he could return now we could set up a huge Survivor Series tag match: Reigns/Ambrose, Bryan, Ryback, face Orton and Cena versus Rollins, Triple H, Kane, Heyman guy and Rusev. Then at TLC Ryback "injures" Kane. If Ryback is over enough at this point an opponent for Brock at Rumble, if not he can feud with the Heyman guy. Or maybe even Rusev if they want him to lose to Ryback, if not move him onto someone else. Maybe a short feud with Rollins?
The gimmick would be "Feed me more" plus retribution. I'm surprised the WWE didn't blame someone for the injury but by not blaming anyone that means he can blame it on management. After a few weeks dominating the mid card he sees an opportunity and takes it attacking Kane. Kane being the lowest rung on the authority totem pole, plus the only one I don't already book into a feud(Triple H with Reigns and Ambrose, Orton with Rollins eventually). Hell if he could return now we could set up a huge Survivor Series tag match: Reigns/Ambrose, Bryan, Ryback, face Orton and Cena versus Rollins, Triple H, Kane, Heyman guy and Rusev. Then at TLC Ryback "injures" Kane. If Ryback is over enough at this point an opponent for Brock at Rumble, if not he can feud with the Heyman guy. Or maybe even Rusev if they want him to lose to Ryback, if not move him onto someone else. Maybe a short feud with Rollins?
Ryback needs to be used as a credible threat when he comes back or else WWE might as well just cut him.
The reason he need be pushed as a credible threat is because he hasn't won anything yet! If it's a guy like Mark Henry, Jack Swagger, Cesaro, Barrett, even Big E, hell even Curtis Axel have all been mid-card champions so they, technically, have more credibility as wrestlers than Ryback does.
So what I'm saying is they can't bring Ryback back and have him look like a tool like when he was in Rybaxel because beating Ryback does nothing for someone when Ryback hasn't looked threatening since just before had his PPV match with Punk.
Ryback needs to be brought back to be built to go directly for the US or IC title and NOT STOP UNTIL HE GETS THERE! I don't care if he comes back as a heel or a face. He has to have what his singlet says "UNLIMITED ENERGY!" and keep pushing through. If he comes back, wins a few big matches, gets into a match for the US or IC title but loses, hopefully he loses in a way that makes him still look strong AND that he doesn't give up and just fade away, he needs to keep going, keep proving himself.
I know WWE has a lot of Superstars to fit into the picture including guys they active now and guys like Bryan, Barrett and Jericho and RVD who are injured or away but that doesn't mean they can't keep Ryback looking good.
WWE needs to think long-term. Ryback is only 32 and if he gets back and goes on a run over the next year that includes at least one solid title reign (or multiple decent reigns) then you have yourself a new Mark Henry. Yes, I know no one can ever BE Mark Henry again or exactly like him, but what I mean is you have yourself a new BIG GUY who is much, much younger than Mark Henry and is perfect for mid-card feuds and occasional main event bouts.
I like an underdog as much as the next guy but if you don't build a good number of actual big, muscle-bound guys as threats then there is no such thing as an underdog if top talents are under 6'1 and 130 pounds. Ryback needs to be seen as legit.
The reason he need be pushed as a credible threat is because he hasn't won anything yet! If it's a guy like Mark Henry, Jack Swagger, Cesaro, Barrett, even Big E, hell even Curtis Axel have all been mid-card champions so they, technically, have more credibility as wrestlers than Ryback does.
So what I'm saying is they can't bring Ryback back and have him look like a tool like when he was in Rybaxel because beating Ryback does nothing for someone when Ryback hasn't looked threatening since just before had his PPV match with Punk.
Ryback needs to be brought back to be built to go directly for the US or IC title and NOT STOP UNTIL HE GETS THERE! I don't care if he comes back as a heel or a face. He has to have what his singlet says "UNLIMITED ENERGY!" and keep pushing through. If he comes back, wins a few big matches, gets into a match for the US or IC title but loses, hopefully he loses in a way that makes him still look strong AND that he doesn't give up and just fade away, he needs to keep going, keep proving himself.
I know WWE has a lot of Superstars to fit into the picture including guys they active now and guys like Bryan, Barrett and Jericho and RVD who are injured or away but that doesn't mean they can't keep Ryback looking good.
WWE needs to think long-term. Ryback is only 32 and if he gets back and goes on a run over the next year that includes at least one solid title reign (or multiple decent reigns) then you have yourself a new Mark Henry. Yes, I know no one can ever BE Mark Henry again or exactly like him, but what I mean is you have yourself a new BIG GUY who is much, much younger than Mark Henry and is perfect for mid-card feuds and occasional main event bouts.
I like an underdog as much as the next guy but if you don't build a good number of actual big, muscle-bound guys as threats then there is no such thing as an underdog if top talents are under 6'1 and 130 pounds. Ryback needs to be seen as legit.
I miss the big guy.. Ryback when he first came in,was a force and i was excited.. But he is extremely sloppy in the ring,and he was shot to the top way too fast.. If and when he comes back,what to do with him? Maybe just maybe he can take out Rusev for us..
The rock is looking unlikely to do so,big show we all know he will lose.. Why not the big guy. Perfect way to make him a face again and get the crowd behind him once and for all.. The new conquering american hero
The rock is looking unlikely to do so,big show we all know he will lose.. Why not the big guy. Perfect way to make him a face again and get the crowd behind him once and for all.. The new conquering american hero
GeminiGarlord
Heel
The bookers will be really enthusiasts about his return, they'll finally have again someone to job to tag teams on RAW.
BigDaddyKewl
Getting Noticed By Management
I would bring him back as a face and have him feud with Bo Dallas. Dallas can interrupt Ryback and rip on him in a few promos. He can say how Ryback has been a big disappointment and hasn't won any titles in WWE. Then just have Ryback stalk him for a few weeks and Dallas run like a scalded dog. Eventually Ryback squashes him in a PPV match and brings back the "Feed Me More!" Chants. Dallas is pretty over right now and I think he would be the right guy to help Ryback get back in the mix of things.
Brock Lesnar, Bray Wyatt, Rusev and The Authority (x4 guys) all say hello to you.
Ryback can work as a face for me. He was way over in 2012 but his push has hampered by a lot of losses and folk lost interest. Give this guy the freedom to express himself on the mic (like Ambrose has) and he could surprise a few because he is actually quite funny.
Ryback has displayed a lot of talent - after his big push. People were quite rightly unsure of what to think of him while he was challenging for the WWE Championship - he'd only been in very short matches and had next to no time with a microphone in his hand. His first big test, against Punk in the cell, was something of a failure. He found his feet in his feud against Cena, though the heel turn still feels like a mistake, with some good matches, some good promos and a brilliantly subtle and nuanced 'coming out in an ambulance and putting your opponent in it once you slap the shit out of them' gimmick. However, Cena was just coming off the back of beating The Rock, so Ryback was smushing his face against a particularly thick glass ceiling there.
As a utility player was where Ryback really came into his own, jumping up and down the card with bizarre inconsistency.
More power to The Big Guy is what I'm saying.
As a utility player was where Ryback really came into his own, jumping up and down the card with bizarre inconsistency.
More power to The Big Guy is what I'm saying.
stingray11214
Cena is no Bruno & Cole is no Solie
The problem is that nobody really gives a bird fornication about Ryback. Nobody misses him, and nobody is waiting for his return. The reality is that he is too stiff in the ring, too kayfabe for the modern fan as a heel, and he really does not get a crowd riled up one way or another. TBH, I would not be surprised after he comes back that he is "Future Endeavored".
mkw1962
Getting Noticed By Management
Ryback working face or heel would work pretty well what makes the difference is how and when you bring him back. To be a heel he would need to come back on a Monday night Raw or a Pay per view and cause a face to lose. Come back and win the Royal Rumble in a dominating fashion. If he was to be a Face let him come back and confront the Authority or if Paul and Brock are ever out there let Ryback come out and confront them he could be the one to beat Brock.
THTRobtaylor
Once & Future Wrestlezone Columnist
The problem they have is a simple one, but one not many fans will appreciate.
Ryan Reeves was in developmental for a LOOOONNG time... nearly 7 years in total, he has bounced in and out with injury but ultimately, they have a lot of time and money they invested. But it's the "old way" of doing it and frankly, it didn't work with him.
Those from that original NXT format of the show and developmental who progressed in the ring and on the mic reached the appropriate level for their talent. Bryan, Barrett, Bray Wyatt, even Heath Slater and Fandango and the Prime Time Players all benefitted from the experience, even if they are not World champs yet, all are valued members of the roster. The ones who didn't very quickly found themselves either cut or relegated to the midcard/jobber status. Axel was there for a long time before his rebranding, David Otunga is still employed as he can work Legal and they don't want to upset Mrs Hudson and her Hollywood buddies but hasn't been seen on screen for a long time... Bateman/EC3, Cottonwood, Tarver, Kaval... they all are long gone.
Of all of them, Ryback was the one Vince would have been desperate to get over... look wise he had the best of the original and New Nexus other than Barrett and was given that big push once his injury healed up... but he is still, after 7+ years in developmental and 2 on the main roster being pushed, the utter shits in the ring. He hasn't grown or progressed and is considered dangerous by many of his peers.
Add to that his attitude has been called into question several times through his actions to the media... It's frankly amazing he is still employed when some talents like Tarver, who didn't do much wrong other than not click with Cena got canned or Tyler Reks realised he wasn't gonna make it and went home...
Since all those guys came in they have a massive investment in the new Performance Centre and training system and it is working...it's proven itself already. Not one talent who has stepped up to the main roster full time has failed since they had NXT and the PC in it's current form. Their new model is to take the top indy guys, spend a period in NXT and the PC and then they immediately step up to be major players. Not bit parts but major.
Ryback didn't make it to the level he should have and for them to put him ahead of these newer NXT graduates, if he hasn't gotten better undermines the whole programme... Rusev has already done more than Ryback managed in 2 years of push... its also a slap to a Barrett, Wyatt, or Slater-Gator or even Axel who came through the same system, took their chances and are better now than they were then. Ryback is injury prone... Barrett isn't, he has just been hurt by others twice... Ryback gets hurt a lot AND hurts others... a bad combination for sure.
It's on the bubble for Ryback, there is an argument that says he should get one more crack at it... and one that says he blew it and he's better off headed to GFW or Japan or even TNA. In either Jarrett or Dixie-Land, He is a player... not quite the CM Punk that TNA want, but he'd be a steal in their eyes and someone who could do good things for GFW as one of their top 6 guys. In the WWE where realistically can he now go? How many guys are actually ahead of him in the pecking order through their hard work...and what damage can be done to their burgeoning developmental if a failure like Ryback is put ahead of them... or genuinely talented guys like Drew McIntyre who got released. What happens if they make a big signing like a Devitt and Ryback hurts him first time out?.
Has Ryback been missed on WWE TV? Not really, I barely registered he was gone... add it all up and with the kind of guys they have coming up soon and potentially coming back then time to cut bait with him as the failed experiment he is... I'd rather see a Matt Morgan return in that role than Ryback get more chances... he hasn't earned them over other guys...
Ryan Reeves was in developmental for a LOOOONNG time... nearly 7 years in total, he has bounced in and out with injury but ultimately, they have a lot of time and money they invested. But it's the "old way" of doing it and frankly, it didn't work with him.
Those from that original NXT format of the show and developmental who progressed in the ring and on the mic reached the appropriate level for their talent. Bryan, Barrett, Bray Wyatt, even Heath Slater and Fandango and the Prime Time Players all benefitted from the experience, even if they are not World champs yet, all are valued members of the roster. The ones who didn't very quickly found themselves either cut or relegated to the midcard/jobber status. Axel was there for a long time before his rebranding, David Otunga is still employed as he can work Legal and they don't want to upset Mrs Hudson and her Hollywood buddies but hasn't been seen on screen for a long time... Bateman/EC3, Cottonwood, Tarver, Kaval... they all are long gone.
Of all of them, Ryback was the one Vince would have been desperate to get over... look wise he had the best of the original and New Nexus other than Barrett and was given that big push once his injury healed up... but he is still, after 7+ years in developmental and 2 on the main roster being pushed, the utter shits in the ring. He hasn't grown or progressed and is considered dangerous by many of his peers.
Add to that his attitude has been called into question several times through his actions to the media... It's frankly amazing he is still employed when some talents like Tarver, who didn't do much wrong other than not click with Cena got canned or Tyler Reks realised he wasn't gonna make it and went home...
Since all those guys came in they have a massive investment in the new Performance Centre and training system and it is working...it's proven itself already. Not one talent who has stepped up to the main roster full time has failed since they had NXT and the PC in it's current form. Their new model is to take the top indy guys, spend a period in NXT and the PC and then they immediately step up to be major players. Not bit parts but major.
Ryback didn't make it to the level he should have and for them to put him ahead of these newer NXT graduates, if he hasn't gotten better undermines the whole programme... Rusev has already done more than Ryback managed in 2 years of push... its also a slap to a Barrett, Wyatt, or Slater-Gator or even Axel who came through the same system, took their chances and are better now than they were then. Ryback is injury prone... Barrett isn't, he has just been hurt by others twice... Ryback gets hurt a lot AND hurts others... a bad combination for sure.
It's on the bubble for Ryback, there is an argument that says he should get one more crack at it... and one that says he blew it and he's better off headed to GFW or Japan or even TNA. In either Jarrett or Dixie-Land, He is a player... not quite the CM Punk that TNA want, but he'd be a steal in their eyes and someone who could do good things for GFW as one of their top 6 guys. In the WWE where realistically can he now go? How many guys are actually ahead of him in the pecking order through their hard work...and what damage can be done to their burgeoning developmental if a failure like Ryback is put ahead of them... or genuinely talented guys like Drew McIntyre who got released. What happens if they make a big signing like a Devitt and Ryback hurts him first time out?.
Has Ryback been missed on WWE TV? Not really, I barely registered he was gone... add it all up and with the kind of guys they have coming up soon and potentially coming back then time to cut bait with him as the failed experiment he is... I'd rather see a Matt Morgan return in that role than Ryback get more chances... he hasn't earned them over other guys...