There might be other threads about this, if so, I'm sorry. But I have heard many people say, in order to push Zack Ryder, you need to change his gimmick. This site seems 50/50- half love Zack, half do not like him, think he should change his gimmick etc. Personally, Im love his gimmick, he plays it perfectly on the TV screen and on the computer screen (his webshow) Anyway, what would you change his gimmick to?
You all complain bout Zack Ryder's gimmick, so...
- Thread starter ctln4rko
- Start date
morrisonfan
Dark Match Winner
I wouldn't change anything to add to his character as much as I would change to take away from the character and I think it could benefit.
Personally, I love the current Zack Ryder gimmick, but lets face it, it's not getting him anywhere and he isn't even being taken seriously. But first off, I would take away from his attire. Get rid of the headband, the see-thru jacket, entrance attire thing, and the sunglasses, and also changing up his logo a bit on his trunks. I feel that the headband, and entrance attire takes away from him being taken seriously, sure it adds a unique part to his character, but it isn't helping him. Just minor changes like this will help him grow as a superstar, maybe not by much, but maybe a little. And if he needs entrance attire, maybe a leather jacket to the ring or something would work.
I would also take away his catch phrase. Let's also face it, Woo Woo Woo You Know It, just won't work for someone trying to get a push. I would keep him from catch phrases until he has time to develop a nice, cool, serious one. I personally love the catch phrase, but if he wants to make it, he needs it to be dropped.
I would also change his theme music. I love his song, as much as I just love everything else about the guy, but even if he had some generic music going on, he would be taken a bit more serious, which is what he needs.
I would take away his nicknames, like the "Long Island Iced Z." Once again, these nicknames won't help in building him as a superstar, I don't think he needs any nicknames at the start of this gimmick change if it were to happen.
That's about all I would change for him. Yes, this may make him seem like every other generic wrestler, but, it will work for him, because this guido character just isn't helping him. And this would be like a silent gimmick change, where his attitude doesn't change much, where he can still be a cocky, arrogant heel, who thinks he is a ladies man. Or, he could just get a more vicious, serious, hungry young performer. Either way, I think it would do him good.
Personally, I love the current Zack Ryder gimmick, but lets face it, it's not getting him anywhere and he isn't even being taken seriously. But first off, I would take away from his attire. Get rid of the headband, the see-thru jacket, entrance attire thing, and the sunglasses, and also changing up his logo a bit on his trunks. I feel that the headband, and entrance attire takes away from him being taken seriously, sure it adds a unique part to his character, but it isn't helping him. Just minor changes like this will help him grow as a superstar, maybe not by much, but maybe a little. And if he needs entrance attire, maybe a leather jacket to the ring or something would work.
I would also take away his catch phrase. Let's also face it, Woo Woo Woo You Know It, just won't work for someone trying to get a push. I would keep him from catch phrases until he has time to develop a nice, cool, serious one. I personally love the catch phrase, but if he wants to make it, he needs it to be dropped.
I would also change his theme music. I love his song, as much as I just love everything else about the guy, but even if he had some generic music going on, he would be taken a bit more serious, which is what he needs.
I would take away his nicknames, like the "Long Island Iced Z." Once again, these nicknames won't help in building him as a superstar, I don't think he needs any nicknames at the start of this gimmick change if it were to happen.
That's about all I would change for him. Yes, this may make him seem like every other generic wrestler, but, it will work for him, because this guido character just isn't helping him. And this would be like a silent gimmick change, where his attitude doesn't change much, where he can still be a cocky, arrogant heel, who thinks he is a ladies man. Or, he could just get a more vicious, serious, hungry young performer. Either way, I think it would do him good.
As much as i love his gimmick, it has to be changed...right now hes a joke...hes getting squashed on superstars by khali means a change is needed...let him keep the cockyness, but stop making him look like a complete tool....let him attack a big face, like orton or cena cause i dont want them in the main event title picture atm...and let the guy get exposure, and maybe move over orton and ryder to smackdown and let hawkins help out ryder
I'm not sure I want Zack Ryder to be taken "seriously". It seems like his element is being an entertaining "goof". Unfortunately, most of that screen time will go to Santino.
In any event if I were to push him into a title scene, say the ICC, I'd have him become a guy similar to Roddy Piper/Carlito. A guy with his own segment who more or less trashes whoever appears and gets into feuds in that fashion.
In any event if I were to push him into a title scene, say the ICC, I'd have him become a guy similar to Roddy Piper/Carlito. A guy with his own segment who more or less trashes whoever appears and gets into feuds in that fashion.
VABurghman
Pre-Show Stalwart
Santino and Ryder should both disappear for a while and come back reinvented as human beings. Their gimmicks right now are beyond stupid. Sad thing is, even if they disappeared and came back, I don't think either can shake being a sideshow attraction.
I don't feel that Ryder's gimmick is at fault here. It's his booking, or rather, his lack of booking. Put him in matches, let him win now and then, or at least look strong in defeat. That's all that's needed. He can be the goofy valley boy, whatever he is, and still be taken seriously.
Although, to really help someone like Ryder, a cruiserweight division would be great.
Although, to really help someone like Ryder, a cruiserweight division would be great.
I love the gimmick too, but I think he would be best served if he had a girl with him. A diva manager who could help him win, and not just a piece of eye candy like when he had Alicia Fox with him. Or maybe a tag team partner who could be just as big of a goof. They kinda sorta tried it with Croft and Baretta, but they just didn't click with that persona. Zack Ryder plays a douchebag perfectly, and it makes me laugh. Since we already have a comedy team in Santino and Kozlov, I don't think we'll see him get a partner any time soon. Maybe he'll be moved to Smackdown if they have a supplemental draft during the week next week. A move to Smackdown never hurts a struggling talent.
rjoconnell
the ultimate broski
Are you SERIOUS, BRO?!
There's NOTHING wrong with his gimmick.
He has a charisma, a character, talent, the look.. something that makes him DIFFERENT.
Someone said "give him generic theme music and new tights".. WHAT? So he's just like EVERYONE ELSE? "PUSH Tyler Reks!" "PUSH Chris Masters!" Why? Because they're big and have muscles? Because Reks had dreads? Dear God.
You people hate just to hate. Ryder's a charismatic heel who adult males are learning to love because of his humor and dedication (based on his YouTube series) and kids will boo because he's an arrogant bad guy who wrestles faces.
You want to fix him? Move him to Smackdown. Give him a couple flukey wins over a someone on Smackdown... maybe have him start following around Wade Barrett bothering him to join The Corre. There's things you can do with Ryder. People like him so much that at Wrestlemania press conferences, Triple H, The Miz, and Cena were all interviewed about him. Cena and The Miz specifically had nothing but great things to say about him.
He'll get pushed eventually. Just stop bitching about everything people, christ. #WWWYKI
There's NOTHING wrong with his gimmick.
He has a charisma, a character, talent, the look.. something that makes him DIFFERENT.
Someone said "give him generic theme music and new tights".. WHAT? So he's just like EVERYONE ELSE? "PUSH Tyler Reks!" "PUSH Chris Masters!" Why? Because they're big and have muscles? Because Reks had dreads? Dear God.
You people hate just to hate. Ryder's a charismatic heel who adult males are learning to love because of his humor and dedication (based on his YouTube series) and kids will boo because he's an arrogant bad guy who wrestles faces.
You want to fix him? Move him to Smackdown. Give him a couple flukey wins over a someone on Smackdown... maybe have him start following around Wade Barrett bothering him to join The Corre. There's things you can do with Ryder. People like him so much that at Wrestlemania press conferences, Triple H, The Miz, and Cena were all interviewed about him. Cena and The Miz specifically had nothing but great things to say about him.
He'll get pushed eventually. Just stop bitching about everything people, christ. #WWWYKI
I agree 100% with this post. The guy above who said take away his bandana, catch phrase, shirt, voice, etc, couldn't be more wrong. That's just ridiculous, you take all that away you basically have Create A Wrestler #1. His gimmick is fine, the fact that he's even being talked about is a testament to his passion for the business. The guy deserves a push. I don't know what WWE's problem is that they can't acknowledge what he's trying to do. He is certainly way more entertaining than John Morrison, yet that dude is being pushed down our throats lately. I can't even think of a worse opening to Raw than last Monday with him and R-Truth, good grief that was terrible.
Back on point, keep his gimmick as is. He can be goofy right now, let him start winning matches. Once he starts winning matches, he will get over with the general WWE crowd. It's really not that hard to figure out. Give him a mic once in awhile and he will shine. You can see it in him.
jokerjoe110
Dark Match Jobber
SOOOOOOOO tired of all the Zack Ryder hype. I swear the IWC is the most annoying group of people I have ever encountered You guys say push this guy and push that guy and then as soon as they are pushed you say oh WWE is shoving him down our throats. ryder is so overrated on these forums its rediculous. He will probably be a part of WWE's spring cleaning. He is not that good at all.
Reddog1146
Beating the odds since 1993
I would make him more serious looking by taking away all his extra attire like the first reply suggested. Get rid of the catch phrase because people will just laugh if he gets a push and does a great promo and ends it with woo woo woo and you know it. His gimmick is great and fun but it will not get him anywhere in WWE.
I would also change his finisher to something with more impact. The rough ryder is cool but does not look like it could end a match. I would give him a move that shows off his power, he has power with the way he is built. He could keep the rough ryder but use it as a signature and do it off the top rope at times to make look more powerful.
I would also change his finisher to something with more impact. The rough ryder is cool but does not look like it could end a match. I would give him a move that shows off his power, he has power with the way he is built. He could keep the rough ryder but use it as a signature and do it off the top rope at times to make look more powerful.
rjoconnell
the ultimate broski
Really.. finishing moves?
It's entertainment.. you know that, right?
Hogan's finishing move was a leg drop.
Hold on, let me repeat that. Hulk Hogan, the first ever BIG star of wrestling, used a leg drop as his finishing move. Jake "The Snake" was DDTin people, The Undertaker was using the awesome Tombstone, and Hogan was droppin legs on people's upper torso.
And Cena.. his finishing move is a fireman's carry where he pushes off into a powerbomb.. not that impressive. Orton uses a move made famous by DDP. The Angle Slam.. what makes that more painful than any other slam? Starship Pain.. don't get me started. Heath Slater's weak ass reverse DDT.. ugh.
Just stop.
RockAndRoll
Dark Match Jobber
I don't think he should have his gimmick changed until they actually give him a chance with it. Get him in a feud on TV and let's see.
Personally, I've never seen anybody take advantage of a situation better than Ryder right now. They don't put him on TV? He creates a web show. And an actually genuinely entertaining web show that keeps his character on the map. For someone to suggest that he's not going anywhere except getting fired later is dumb. I think in time WWE's gonna give him a chance and then we can know for sure how it would work.
But it HAS to be with this gimmick. If there's ever been a gimmick that's current, or understandable, it's his. With a show like Jersey Shore killing in the ratings and getting spin-off show's, WWE has to want to cash in with this character since they can't have the real Snooki every week. And before anybody gets the wrong idea, no, I don't like The Jersey Shore, but it makes perfect sense that since a lot of people do, you need to cash in on it.
Speaking of cashing in, Z True Long Island Story is about to hit 100,000 views in a week on You Tube. It's growing like crazy and Episode 10 just hit. Ryder deserves a shot with this gimmick just for the amount of effort he's putting into the character. And with his web show growing and the fact that every week we see a new Zack Ryder sign front and center on RAW or even at Mania. WWE has to take notice.
Personally, I've never seen anybody take advantage of a situation better than Ryder right now. They don't put him on TV? He creates a web show. And an actually genuinely entertaining web show that keeps his character on the map. For someone to suggest that he's not going anywhere except getting fired later is dumb. I think in time WWE's gonna give him a chance and then we can know for sure how it would work.
But it HAS to be with this gimmick. If there's ever been a gimmick that's current, or understandable, it's his. With a show like Jersey Shore killing in the ratings and getting spin-off show's, WWE has to want to cash in with this character since they can't have the real Snooki every week. And before anybody gets the wrong idea, no, I don't like The Jersey Shore, but it makes perfect sense that since a lot of people do, you need to cash in on it.
Speaking of cashing in, Z True Long Island Story is about to hit 100,000 views in a week on You Tube. It's growing like crazy and Episode 10 just hit. Ryder deserves a shot with this gimmick just for the amount of effort he's putting into the character. And with his web show growing and the fact that every week we see a new Zack Ryder sign front and center on RAW or even at Mania. WWE has to take notice.
Just because he has charisma doesn't mean he's good at using it. He has talent, but to me his character and look is awful. I'll be the first to tell you I don't take wrestling extremely seriously like most people do around here. I just sit back and enjoy it. I have said many times that pretty much every wrestler gets some sort of push eventually.
With Ryder's gimmick though I have a hard time believing that will happen. To me when he's trying to be funny he fails horribly, he's annoying and even though Santino is a goofball and got a push I highly doubt you Ryder fans would want a Santino type push. Personally I think that's what he would get if he did. If he wants to have a serious push his gimmick won't work. Unless most of his character is scrapped and he's more serious that's the only way I see him getting a push.
JMO.
With Ryder's gimmick though I have a hard time believing that will happen. To me when he's trying to be funny he fails horribly, he's annoying and even though Santino is a goofball and got a push I highly doubt you Ryder fans would want a Santino type push. Personally I think that's what he would get if he did. If he wants to have a serious push his gimmick won't work. Unless most of his character is scrapped and he's more serious that's the only way I see him getting a push.
JMO.
Change it too...? I don't know. How about something that doesn't make him look like a drunk frat boy acting like if it was Superbowl Sunday every day of the week. Somebody please explain the appeal this 20+ pro wrestler has by going around and acting like an utter goofball yelling out perhaps the dumbest wrestling catchphrases I've ever heard and dressing like if his 9 year old sister designed his outfit by using Barbie dolls. When I look for a wrestler, I look for a guy who can show all sorts of emotions, who can tell a story, wrestle and more importantly, doesn't need some stupid webshow to get himself marginally over.
Hear that? You ain't getting a push while acting like that, broski.
Glad we're on the same page.
Hear that? You ain't getting a push while acting like that, broski.
Glad we're on the same page.
Nate DaMac
Fuck erbody but me
The fuck? The last thing that needs to change about Ryder is his gimmick, that's the best thing he has going for him. I usually hate it when the IWC over hypes the hell out of someone, but in the case of Ryder, it's actually warranted. Ryder is extremely charismatic and very entertaining. I am baffled that someone in the writing team hasn't figured it out yet.
Hollywood Naitch
The current reigning and defending
He may not be The Rock or Chris Jericho when it comes to mic work but he is damm good, and deserves a chance and a push.
He is not overated, its just that he has developed an actual personality, which has led to people caring about him even without him having much exposure on WWE tv, unlike some of the cookie-cutter guys they have on tv currently.
Look at DiBiase, he has been given so much exposure over the last few years and done fuck all with it. Noone cares about him. If Ryder had been given that push he would at least have got the fans talking. He is very talented.
He's charismatic and entertaining at being a complete goofball. Nothing else. I finally watched his Youtube show and he thanked Edge. Good Lord it looked like he was about to laugh. It didn't even look believable yet he was being 100% serious. Part of being good on the mic means you can show your range in emotions from being angry, to being sad. But all this guy knows how to do is act like a kid and when he tries to be serious I actually laughed because he was so bad at it.
Serious Mozzarella
Special Victims Unit
I wouldn't change a single thing about his gimmick, bro. In fact, I would accentuate it, then push him to, at the very least, upper-midcard status. The dude is seriously the most entertaining wrestler since face-Jericho, and I don't understand why the WWE won't use him.
If Santino can get way over being a comedy face, then so can Long Island Iced Z.
WWWYKI.
If Santino can get way over being a comedy face, then so can Long Island Iced Z.
WWWYKI.
Change it too...? I don't know. How about something that doesn't make him look like a drunk frat boy acting like if it was Superbowl Sunday every day of the week. Somebody please explain the appeal this 20+ pro wrestler has by going around and acting like an utter goofball yelling out perhaps the dumbest wrestling catchphrases I've ever heard and dressing like if his 9 year old sister designed his outfit by using Barbie dolls. When I look for a wrestler, I look for a guy who can show all sorts of emotions, who can tell a story, wrestle and more importantly, doesn't need some stupid webshow to get himself marginally over.
Hear that? You ain't getting a push while acting like that, broski.
Glad we're on the same page.
By the way, isn't your favorite company employing a certain wrestler by the name of Robbie E? Sound familiar?
The last thing that needs to change is Zack Ryder's gimmick. It is different and unique, and he plays it to perfection. I'm sick and tired of all the cookie-cutter characters in wrestling. It's all about suspension of belief in pro wrestling. I'm sick of the regular guy characters. I'm not saying get rid of all of them, some are needed. And I'm certainly not saying we need The Headbangers again. But their are characters such as hippies, goths, weirdos, freaks, and just eccentric people in the world, and why not put them on screen. And while we might not get them anytime soon, why not the jersey frat boy guido? It's different, it's fun, and it works. He draws heat, he gets reactions, and he works the gimmick to a T. It doesn't need changed. I say keep it. It's what makes him unique.
By the way, isn't your favorite company employing a certain wrestler by the name of Robbie E? Sound familiar?
The last thing that needs to change is Zack Ryder's gimmick. It is different and unique, and he plays it to perfection. I'm sick and tired of all the cookie-cutter characters in wrestling. It's all about suspension of belief in pro wrestling. I'm sick of the regular guy characters. I'm not saying get rid of all of them, some are needed. And I'm certainly not saying we need The Headbangers again. But their are characters such as hippies, goths, weirdos, freaks, and just eccentric people in the world, and why not put them on screen. And while we might not get them anytime soon, why not the jersey frat boy guido? It's different, it's fun, and it works. He draws heat, he gets reactions, and he works the gimmick to a T. It doesn't need changed. I say keep it. It's what makes him unique.
Oh, so because you can't find a way to counterpoint me you need to reduce yourself to petty TNA bashing? As if because I like TNA that means it's OK to run around with the sam absurd gimmuck? If you can't find something to properly discuss, I suggest you just keep quiet.
As for suspension of disbelief, you expect me to take Zack Ryder seriously? Or suspend that he's anything more than a jobber? What? Santino? Who's he beaten in a serious match? Nexus? Isn't that what Vlad was for? Gimme a break. Gimme one reason to think of Zack Ryder as more than some jobber with an idiotic gimmick.
What exactly is a "serious" wrestler? OR a "serious" match? One where both or all parties attempt to win? Or one where all parties attempt to entertain? or some certain mixture of the two? Or something entirely different?
No one believes Ryder will win anything because he hasn't been written that way in quite a while. You "lose" enough and you either become the lovable underdog guy or you become unemployed. I think he has the potential to be that guy or even more. Assuming he is written to win every-so-often he could become a champion. He suffers from the same atmosphere that stifles Cena, but in reverse. People don't want to root for the guy who wins every single time just as much as they don't want to root for the guy who loses every single time. In fact, if they lose every time people stop caring entirely. It's just too much to invest emotionally into a "lost cause".
No one believes Ryder will win anything because he hasn't been written that way in quite a while. You "lose" enough and you either become the lovable underdog guy or you become unemployed. I think he has the potential to be that guy or even more. Assuming he is written to win every-so-often he could become a champion. He suffers from the same atmosphere that stifles Cena, but in reverse. People don't want to root for the guy who wins every single time just as much as they don't want to root for the guy who loses every single time. In fact, if they lose every time people stop caring entirely. It's just too much to invest emotionally into a "lost cause".
It wasn't TNA bashing, not in the least. I was just pointing out that you're complaining about the same thing I hadn't seen you complain about in another company/ I just assumed since I hadn't seen you complain about Robbie E, that you didn't have a problem with him using the same gimmick.
See, the thing about Ryder. If he picked up his aggression and started winning matches in a "serious" manner, then I'd expect you to take him seriously. That's just where WWE hasn't pushed him yet. At this point, he still is a jobber with a gimmick, but it's far from idiotic. it's just eccentric. I know you don't live anywhere near it, but in beach cities in the U.S., especially in Jersey/Long Island, you find people that act and live exactly like Ryder. He is just a larger than life version of it, like then rest of the superstars are larger than life versions of themselves. If he started winning, he could easily be taken seriously. I'm sure people thought Kane, Undertaker, and The Brood's gimmicks were absurd when they debuted. But they started winning, made impacts, and were taking seriously. I think wrestling should go back to more gimmick's like Ryder's. Wrestling is all about suspension of belief, after all.
Zach Ryder sucks and just needs to go away period. I cant stand him or Robbie E in TNA, I hate their gimmicks. I would fire them right away let them go fight in ROH or something over who is doing the best Jersey Shore Gimmick. I don't know what it is about him I just don't see anything good about him.
My friend said that exact same thing yesterday. WE were talking for two hours while playing Black Ops about WWE, and a little TNA bashing. Anyway, my friend, the biggest anti Zack Ryder guy, said he would like Zack, (not homo) if he were more serious and aggressive. I agree though. But I would have him mix being agressive with his gimmick now because as I said earlier, he plays it to perfection.
