It could be argued that the archetype WWE wrestler is beginnig to change. The likes of Punk, Bryan, Ziggler, Sandow, Rhodes, Miz etc aren't the Brock Lesnar's or John Cena's of this world however each has found their way into or flirting with the main event scene, which back in the day was exclusively for the muscle bound guys.
On April 6th of this year we saw the latest incarnation of a "WWE type" guy burst onto the scene. His name, Ryback. Ryback isn't a new character to those who have kept up with the product over the years. Portrayed by Ryan Reeves, Reeves has been in and out of WWE since 2004. He debuted in the $1,000,000 Tough Enough with such characters as the Miz, The Boogeyman and eventual winner Daniel Puder. Reeves impressed and was signed to a contract. Assigned to Deep South he was in a few tag teams and floated about in Deep South and in 2006 was moved to Ohio Valley. Mid 2006 he received a 30 day suspension for a failed drug test. He protested this suspension and although it stayed in place he was allowed to return after passing a second test. By the end of 2007 he had been released from Ohio Valley. He returned to Ohio Valley (now no longer a developmental territory) a year later in late 2008 and won their World Title. He won the title not as Ryan Reeves but as the first incarnation of his character Ryback, a character in the spirit of Arnold Schwarzenegger's Terminator. A couple of weeks later he was re-signed to WWE and was assigned to Florida Championship Wrestling. The Ryback character was eventually dropped and Reeves became Skip Sheffield, a kind of goofy cowboy gimmick is the easiest way to describe it. In 2010, Sheffield was called up to participate in the new initiative known as NXT.
I wrote previously on the premise of NXT. Sheffield was to say the least un-impressive. The goof ball gimmick didn't suit him. His physique and demeanor lended itself more to an intimidating machine who could rag doll his smaller opponents (so you know, Ryback). With the rise of the Nexus, we got to see a bit more of what Sheffield could do in a role that suited him better. He was the groups muscle, the enforcer. He was building good momentum in this role and along with Wade Barrett was becoming the potential break out star of the group. This was curtailed however when during a tag match at a house show he severely broke his ankle. Three surgeries and over a year later he was fit to return.
After working a few months of house shows and dark matches under the Ryback gimmick he redubted as I mentioned earlier in April of this year. From April to September his matches followed the same blueprint. He'd squash a jobber. Then he'd squash 2 jobbers. He was impressive. Big power moves. He hits a clothesline called the Meat Hook which is as impressive as JBL's Clothesline from Hell. His finisher, a muscle buster called Shellshocked is impressive in itself but when he does it to 2 people at once it shows his raw power. During this time I began and I assume others did too when he'd start moving up the roster and beating more credible opposition. He had a mini feud with Jinder Mahal and then moved onto The Miz. He beat The Miz on the Sept 26th Raw early during the show, I was think we were going to see Ryback v Miz for the Intercontinental Title at Hell in a Cell. However, in a bizzare twist by the end of the show Ryback was staring down WWE Champion CM Punk who had cheap shotted Mick Foley. This became a regular occurrence over the coming weeks, he would come down and thwart Punk when interacting with Jim Ross. He'd also come to Vince McMahon's aid after a brawl involving the boss and Punk. But why? Well Punk was scheduled to face John Cena at Hell in a Cell. Cena had to have elbow surgery to remove bone spurs on his elbow. Ryback was the back up in case Cena could not make the PPV. Last Monday on Raw the match was set. Cena was deemed too much a risk to be put in the match so Ryback will face Punk. Cena "passed the torch" as it was and endorsed Ryback to take his place and face Punk.
On April 6th of this year we saw the latest incarnation of a "WWE type" guy burst onto the scene. His name, Ryback. Ryback isn't a new character to those who have kept up with the product over the years. Portrayed by Ryan Reeves, Reeves has been in and out of WWE since 2004. He debuted in the $1,000,000 Tough Enough with such characters as the Miz, The Boogeyman and eventual winner Daniel Puder. Reeves impressed and was signed to a contract. Assigned to Deep South he was in a few tag teams and floated about in Deep South and in 2006 was moved to Ohio Valley. Mid 2006 he received a 30 day suspension for a failed drug test. He protested this suspension and although it stayed in place he was allowed to return after passing a second test. By the end of 2007 he had been released from Ohio Valley. He returned to Ohio Valley (now no longer a developmental territory) a year later in late 2008 and won their World Title. He won the title not as Ryan Reeves but as the first incarnation of his character Ryback, a character in the spirit of Arnold Schwarzenegger's Terminator. A couple of weeks later he was re-signed to WWE and was assigned to Florida Championship Wrestling. The Ryback character was eventually dropped and Reeves became Skip Sheffield, a kind of goofy cowboy gimmick is the easiest way to describe it. In 2010, Sheffield was called up to participate in the new initiative known as NXT.
I wrote previously on the premise of NXT. Sheffield was to say the least un-impressive. The goof ball gimmick didn't suit him. His physique and demeanor lended itself more to an intimidating machine who could rag doll his smaller opponents (so you know, Ryback). With the rise of the Nexus, we got to see a bit more of what Sheffield could do in a role that suited him better. He was the groups muscle, the enforcer. He was building good momentum in this role and along with Wade Barrett was becoming the potential break out star of the group. This was curtailed however when during a tag match at a house show he severely broke his ankle. Three surgeries and over a year later he was fit to return.
After working a few months of house shows and dark matches under the Ryback gimmick he redubted as I mentioned earlier in April of this year. From April to September his matches followed the same blueprint. He'd squash a jobber. Then he'd squash 2 jobbers. He was impressive. Big power moves. He hits a clothesline called the Meat Hook which is as impressive as JBL's Clothesline from Hell. His finisher, a muscle buster called Shellshocked is impressive in itself but when he does it to 2 people at once it shows his raw power. During this time I began and I assume others did too when he'd start moving up the roster and beating more credible opposition. He had a mini feud with Jinder Mahal and then moved onto The Miz. He beat The Miz on the Sept 26th Raw early during the show, I was think we were going to see Ryback v Miz for the Intercontinental Title at Hell in a Cell. However, in a bizzare twist by the end of the show Ryback was staring down WWE Champion CM Punk who had cheap shotted Mick Foley. This became a regular occurrence over the coming weeks, he would come down and thwart Punk when interacting with Jim Ross. He'd also come to Vince McMahon's aid after a brawl involving the boss and Punk. But why? Well Punk was scheduled to face John Cena at Hell in a Cell. Cena had to have elbow surgery to remove bone spurs on his elbow. Ryback was the back up in case Cena could not make the PPV. Last Monday on Raw the match was set. Cena was deemed too much a risk to be put in the match so Ryback will face Punk. Cena "passed the torch" as it was and endorsed Ryback to take his place and face Punk.
Where to now though? Ryback since April is undefeated (this along with a few other characteristics has led to comparsions to Goldberg, chants of Goldberg persist at live shows but have been getting quieter and quieter as people are growing to accept him). He has huge momentum. But he can't possibly beat Punk can he? In the space of 6 months he's gone from rag dolling jobbers to being a championship contender. His first real feud is this one against Punk and it's for the title. I can't remember the last time that has happened. In all honesty I don't know if he will win. Stranger things have happened. I believe that Vince and the decision makers now know Cena isn't as invincible as they thought. Along with the elbow injury he his nursing a knee and hip problem too and no one gets younger. Ryback at the age of 30 has 5 years on Cena and bar the ankle injury has had a lot less major injuries than Cena. Like Triple H in 99 who took advantage of a few others being injured and ascended to the top Ryback is now in a similar position. He can make the most of this opportunity and although he may not win the belt, he could solidify his position in the upper reaches of the card.
Next week I will be doing a preview and predictions of the Hell in a Cell PPV. Also next week I will be on WrestleView's International Desk with Darragh O'Connor and Coire McCrystal discussing what we believe to be the top 5 Hell in a Cell matches in history. Here's a link to the Facebook page where all the details of broadcasting times will be http://www.facebook.com/WrestleviewInternationalDesk?fref=ts
So please do tune in. Until next week.
Thanks for reading,
Gar.
So please do tune in. Until next week.
Thanks for reading,
Gar.
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