10 Times Wrestlers Took Their Careers Into Their Own Hands

6. Zack Ryder

Cody Rhodes ROH champ
WWE

The Ballad of Zack Ryder acts as a stark warning to WWE performers.

Ryder was going nowhere in 2011. His devised gimmick of a proto-Jersey Shore meathead inevitably failed to catch fire; WWE is barely able to follow trends, much less start them. A creative and ambitious performer, Ryder refused to settle for his dubious lot in WWE. Cast either as the worst WWE Heavyweight Title challenger in recorded history (11 seconds) or a valet-pestering doofus, Ryder opted to create a popular role for himself: internet sensation. The intentionally lame gags in the self-driven star vehicle Z! True Long Island Story entertained fans - but, for reasons that remain inscrutable, seemed to incense the office. After a token gesture U.S. Title win, WWE took a perverse pleasure in covering the man on soil.

Ryder was hardly a technical marvel - but then, Daniel Bryan was, and they seemed to enjoy burying him. Where is the line? No wonder talent is terrified of stepping over it; they've no bloody idea where it is.

The man's legacy is one of baffling punishments - the "yeah, but they f*cked Zack" angel on the shoulder of any WWE performer wracked with the doubt of ambition.

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Contributor
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Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!