Ryback Teases Leaving WWE For Greener Pastures

In a recent interview, Ryback expressed his disappointment with the placement of his match at this year’s WrestleMania, as well as the last two editions of the ‘Show of Shows’ as well. He was on the pre-show in the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal last year and in a four-way WWE Tag Team Championship match, also on the pre-show, at WrestleMania XXX. Technically his match this year was a step up, since he and Kalisto were alone in the ring for their United States Championship match rather than being lost in the shuffle with a bunch of other guys who WWE used as nameless, faceless bodies in a battle royal or part of a largely meaningless tag team title contest.

It is understandable that he would be frustrated with his position, especially after the way he started his tenure with the company. When you (re)debut as a monster and challenge for the WWE Championship within six months of your stint as a new character, it sets up certain expectations. He didn’t exactly fall apart in his time in the main event. It was a bad position to be put in; he clearly was not ready for the spot but WWE needed somebody and was trying to use a guy who had some momentum. His matches with CM Punk were okay, but the booking did Ryback no favors.

He stayed around the main event scene for a while, feuding with John Cena as a heel and wrestling Chris Jericho as well, but after he was sidelined for a few months due to an injury it was all downhill from there. He became a goof with Curtis Axel as a pair of bumbling Paul Heyman guys, a pair that stayed together after Heyman dumped them. They went on to light absolutely nothing on fire.

After he got hurt again he came back as a babyface and won the Intercontinental Championship not long after, even being endorsed by Daniel Bryan. They dropped his “inspirational” gimmick for some reason, he lost the title to Kevin Owens and was involved in a boring feud with the Wyatt Family.

When you actually read through his four years (almost exactly) as Ryback, it hasn’t actually been that bad at all. The Rybaxel period was especially bad, but right now he’s in the position that he probably should have been pushed into back in 2012. His disappointment isn’t illegitimate, but right now he is in what appears to be a rebuilding period. He is back to being a heel, has a new look and is still in the running to get a shot at the U.S. Title.

Ryback did mention that he believes next year will be a big year for him. Has he already given up on 2016? Is he in the final year of his contract? Would he be a fit in New Japan? He’s not thinking about TNA, is he? I guess he would fit in there, but he wouldn’t necessarily be fulfilling his potential.

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