What do you say about the Woo Woo Kid in 2014? Matthew Zack Ryder Cardonas story is arguably one of the saddest on this list, because Ryder did what WWE officials keep telling them to do he fought for his character, took creative control, and through sheer hard work and personality got himself over, without any help from the office. Remember the Ryder Revolution? Long Island Iced Z took the bull by the horns way back in February 2011. Dissatisfied with the disinterest that WWE creative had in him and his character, Ryder took to YouTube to market his very own weekly five-minute show, Z! A True Long Island Story. His wacky adventures, his supporting cast of friends (including his ridiculously jacked father and his obsession with WWEs pin-up of the time, John Morrison), and most of all his sense of humour, helped to massively increase Ryders profile with that most dreaded of WWE creative nemeses, the internet fan. He even declared himself the 'Internet Champion', and had his own rather impressive belt made. Soon, Ryder signs were popping up all over arenas across America and Europe. Woo Woo Woo and We Want Ryder chants began to materialise at live events and (most importantly, because live audiences mimic what theyve seen crowds do on TV), at RAW and Smackdown. Ryder was over as a wholesome, eighties-style babyface, and it was entirely due to his own efforts his merchandise sales reflected it, too. The only thing WWE had done in his favour was not sabotage him by cancelling or hamstringing his YouTube show, or by burying him on television. So naturally, that was their next step. Although the Ryder Revolution lead to his capturing the US title at Christmas 2011 (and he managed to give the fallen mid-card title meaning again by so single-mindedly focusing on it) from storyline enemy and real life travelling buddy Dolph Ziggler, hed hold it for only three weeks. His inclusion in John Cenas storyline against Kane saw him reduced to jabroni status as his storyline best friend stole his girlfriend by mistake and allowed him to be victimised and then hospitalised by the Big Red Monster. Ryder would be jobbing to the stars again by April 2012, and sidelined to Superstars by June. In 2014, Ryder has wrestled 13 matches for WWE and won 1. Hes not even on Superstars anymore. WWE really doesnt like it when stars are created without their supervision
Professional writer, punk werewolf and nesting place for starfish. Obsessed with squid, spirals and story. I publish short weird fiction online at desincarne.com, and tweet nonsense under the name Jack The Bodiless. You can follow me all you like, just don't touch my stuff.
