10 Times WWE Dropped The Ball With Ryback

9. Rybaxel

Ryback working out
WWE.com

As Paul Heyman's prized pupils at the time, Ryback and Curtis Axel formed an alliance in late 2013, and even after Heyman disassociated himself from them, they continued to team up. There was no better time for them to join the tag team ranks considering the division was at its peak with Cody Rhodes and Goldust as champions defending the WWE Tag Team Championship seemingly every week.

Collectively known as Rybaxel, the duo received their fair share of shots at the twin titles, but were unsuccessful in each attempt. They didn't have the slightest bit of chemistry at first, but through their matching gear and entertaining antics, they managed to win a portion of the fan base over and it appeared a tag team title run could have been in their future.

Unfortunately, they were passed over for a run with the straps, losing to The Usos at WrestleMania 30 and on an April 2014 episode of Raw. They later disbanded due to Ryback having to take time off due to an injury that summer, never to reunite.

A tag team title run could have done wonders for the fledgling careers of both men, but they were instead paired and kept together merely because WWE Creative had nothing else for them.

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Contributor
Contributor

Since 2008, Graham has been a diehard pro wrestling fan and, in 2010, he combined his passions for WWE and writing when he joined Bleacher Report. Equipped with a master's in journalism, Graham has contributed to WhatCulture, FanSided's Daily DDT, Sports Betting Dime, and GateHouse Media. Along the way, he has conducted interviews with wrestling superstars like Chris Jericho, Edge, Goldberg, Christian, Diamond Dallas Page, Jim Ross, Adam Cole, Tessa Blanchard, Ryback, and Nick Aldis among others.