10 Times The Past Buried WWE's Future

Matt Cardona spent several successful years on the indies, launched many great wrestling-related products for fans, and eventually fulfilled his wish to make his way back to WWE after being released in April 2020. It's been a hell of a ride, but his initial run as Zack Ryder remains a damning indictment of WWE's inability to listen to fans in this particular era.

Ryder's internet TV show, Z! True Long Island Story, was revolutionary, as he built a bond with fans on YouTube and got his "bro" persona over outside his allotted TV time. It seemed as if WWE higher-ups had taken notice of this, as Zack was given stories that included a blossoming friendship with John Cena, an endearing relationship with Eve Torres, and putting the US Title on him at TLC 2011.

We should have known better, as within 12 months, Cena kissed Eve in front of Ryder (while he sat injured in a wheelchair holding roses), and Kane went full Attitude Era on poor Zack. The Big Red Machine launched one of the most heinous attacks of his career by hurling Zack Ryder off the Monday Night Raw stage while Ryder was still in his wheelchair on the January 16th, 2012 episode. 

WWE's lovable 'Broski' didn't get his revenge on Kane in any meaningful way, Eve Torres shrugged as her former boyfriend was yeeted from a great height, and Ryder would flounder in WWE's lower midcard from this moment on.