8 Released WWE Superstars Who Will (Ultimately) Be Better Off Elsewhere

8. Zack Ryder

Is that even how we spell his name? WWE couldn’t always remember, spelling it Zach on a 2019 episode of Raw. He had only been with the company for 14 years at that point.

Charismatic, and good looking, 'Long Island Iced Z' was another act seemingly punished for getting himself over. He could still thrive in a promotion that rewards that kind of thing. In fact, his YouTube work could be seen as a precursor to Being The Elite.

Ryder has a powerful friend in Cody Rhodes who has already singled out his buddy for praise on Twitter. The action figure aficionado was perhaps undone by his clear fanboy level love of all things WWE. He was the classic case of a guy who was just “happy to be there”. A less starry eyed performer might have done a Cody and sought greener pastures years ago.

In another generation Ryder’s years as jobber-to-the-stars might have seen him stuck forever in that role, stigmatised as a loser. AEW have made a habit rehabilitating talent and pinning the blame for past failures on their former paymasters. They may yet work that magic again for Ryder.