Having endeared himself to the Internet Wrestling Community with his popular YouTube series, Z! True Long Island Story, it was little surprise when fans starting showing their support at WWE television tapings. This particular case came in London, England, when security at the O2 Arena were ordered to confiscate a fans sign reading Zack Ryder = Ratings. With no further explanation offered, we can only speculate as to why the sign was taken. But if we consider the WWEs track record, it seems that this could have simply been an instance of the company exercising its vast authority. Z! True Long Island Story was a project that Ryder set up entirely on his own. Initially, the WWE did not endorse it whatsoever. And given the companys obsession with owning all the rights to its talents gimmicks, perhaps Ryders proactivity didnt sit well with the powers that be. Its a shame to see management refusing to get behind such a hard-working starif that is indeed what happened here. Of course the company is free to choose who it does or doesnt utilise, but to actively sabotage a potential fan-led push is quite the contradiction of the WWEs mantra.
