The apparent refusal of WWE management to put Zack Ryder on television is mystifying many, and it's not just fans. After the 3 hour Allstars episode of Raw in Long Island, a multitude of current and former WWE Superstars took to Twitter to voice their support for Ryder, and their disapproval of his lack of use.
The only mention public of Ryder from within the walls of WWE has come from Jim Ross, who posted the following on his blog:
“Got lots of emails this week about the Zack Ryder ‘situation.’ I’m not sure what exactly this ‘situation’ is other than Ryder has developed many fans thanks to his You Tube show and Ryder’s fans want to see him on TV more. Ryder’s time is likely coming as he’s a hard working, solid talent. I hope he gets to live his dream but dreams don’t come true over night. My dream was to always work in WWE and it only took me 19 years to get there. Let’s hope Zack is on a faster track.
That frankly doesn't sound particularly promising for Ryder. Reports from the Allstars show suggested that aside from Stone Cold Steve Austin and John Cena, no one provoked a stronger reacting from the crowd than the hometown boy. So given that, it seems a little galling to be told essentially, 'these things take time'
The difference between the Jim Ross and Zack Ryder situation is that Ryder is already in the WWE, and isn't being utilised aside from on shows that only air through WWE.com in the United States. Why, given the groundswell of popular support he currently enjoys, would you make Ryder wait? It certainly doesn't seem to be in the interests of anyone to do so. So what possible reason is there?
Well there a a number of rumours doing the rounds, all of which sound faintly ridiculous, but have gained a foothold due to the wrestling business generally being faintly ridiculous anyway. One is that WWE management (for this you're probably supposed to read Vince McMahon) are not happy that Ryder is getting over without them. As he's not one of the 'chosen few', he's not going to get the push that his popularity suggests he should. Given though that both Vince and Triple H have talked on numerous occasions about wanting talent to be willing to do anything to make it, you would have thought that Ryder's work would be rewarded, and not punished.
So on to the next one. Ryder is apparently being kept off TV because he is in fact, too popular. Think that one over for a second. The reasoning goes, that audiences would be confused by such vocal support of someone who they have never heard of, or don't really know. I don't really know who this audience might be, but frankly if they existed, they'd be pretty stupid. If this rumour has any truth to it at all, it's actually an imagined audience who is being pandered to here, so those at the top are now placating people who don't actually exist.
The biggest hole in this argument though is the sheer number of Zack Ryder signs at every show. If you're the sort of person to get confused at someone cheering his appearance, you'd be left dumbfounded by the signs and chants in his absence. What actually makes sense to do with someone who has inexplicable popularity that needs explaining is to show the audience why. His YouTube shows aren't very long, so broadcast some of them! Or even just clips. He's had plenty of backstage segments, so why have these ceased, in favour of Johnny Curtis, who absolutely no one cares about?
So lets go on to what we hope is actually happening with Ryder. If you've been following his shows (look here if you've not) you would have noticed that he's built in an angle with John Morrison. For the uninitiated, Ryder's Dad is shown to be a huge fan of Morrison, to the extent that he can't even claim his own son to be his favourite wrestler, has pictures of him all over his house, and frequently dresses as him. Should WWE posses any sense whatsoever, on his return from injury (and presumably after he's dealt with R-Truth), Morrison should be paired up with Ryder.
Hopefully, WWE does actually have something planned for Ryder, and doesn't want to jump the gun. Any other explanation would just put you at a loss for words, and make you question how out of touch the company's decision makers have actually become. One thing's for sure though, Ryder will keep knocking on the door until they let him in. And if they don't, we might get to see that riot after all.
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