10 Things We Learned From Ryback's First Podcast
9. WWE Denied Ryback's Magazine Covers
This one you've likely heard before. Or at least a version close to it.
Ryback was able to negotiate a potential magazine cover for the publications Flex and Muscle & Fitness without the help of WWE.
When presented with this opportunity, Ryback naturally had to get it approved by WWE which he thought would be no problem. Why wouldn't WWE want one of their superstars to receive more exposure by being featured on the cover of one of the most popular bodybuilding and health & fitness magazines on the planet?
Think again, Big Guy.
Just as CM Punk had experienced with his potential Slim Jim sponsorship, Ryback was denied the opportunity with a less-than-credible explanation.
It seems that WWE told Ryan that too many superstars were going to be featured on various magazine covers during that time period and that perhaps they could revisit it again at a later date. To anyone paying attention, this just sounds like a bogus excuse. Needless to say, it didn't sit well with Reeves.
Since that time, numerous WWE superstars have appeared on the cover of those very magazines including Alexa Bliss, Sasha Banks, Charlotte, Eva Marie and, of course, Triple H & Stephanie McMahon.
Obviously, WWE has a history of promoting who they want in their dealings with third parties and outside entities, and Ryback wasn't one of them. That lead to another issue...