10 Superstars Who Aren't As Big As They Think They Are

8. Ryback

Triple H
WWE.com

Early-2010s nearly-man Ryback was a literal 'Big Guy' in a time where the main roster had some of it's smallest heavyweights, but his incredible size was sadly his only remaining asset by the time he reached the end of his punishing WWE career.

He was, for a period, a bonafide draw. His Hell In A Cell 2012 main event with CM Punk dwarfed buyrate expectations, though a loss on that very night was something he struggled to recover from. Recover he did though - once briefly as a heel in 2013 and again, miraculously, as a babyface in 2014 - suggesting that he had an understanding of how to get over even if he couldn't stay there.

It was this reasoned self-belief that moved him to command more from his life as a rank-and-file member of the WWE roster, and attack the longstanding pay structure when he left.

This was bold - few things will actually change the industry more than the way the workers themselves are compensated financially - but Ryback's espousal of "The Secret" and other such schemes during his high profile years knackered his credibility with the bulk of the fanbase

A rambling podcast and bizarre adverts featuring poolside spears haven't exactly reframed the narrative.

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Michael is a writer, editor, podcaster and presenter for WhatCulture Wrestling, and has been with the organisation over 7 years. He primarily produces written, audio and video content on WWE and AEW, but also provides knowledge and insights on all aspects of the wrestling industry thanks to a passion for it dating back over 30 years. As one third of "The Dadley Boyz", Michael has contributed to the huge rise in popularity of the WhatCulture Wrestling Podcast, earning it top spot in the UK's wrestling podcast charts with well over 50,000,000 total downloads. He has been featured as a wrestling analyst for the Tampa Bay Times and Sports Guys Talking Wrestling, and has covered milestone events in New York, Dallas, Las Vegas, London and Cardiff. Michael's background in media stretches beyond wrestling coverage, with a degree in Journalism from the University Of Sunderland (2:1) and a series of published articles in sports, music and culture magazines The Crack, A Love Supreme and Pilot. When not offering his voice up for daily wrestling podcasts, he can be found losing it singing far too loud watching his favourite bands play live. Follow him on X/Twitter - @MichaelHamflett