7 Wrestlers WWE Punished For Getting Over

WWE's systematic, purposeful spilling of the 'Long Island Iced-Z' has latterly become the poster child for the company's perverse proclivity for punishing talent who dare get over on their own.

Buying into the adage that you write your own success, Ryder embraced the YouTube revolution with a self-directed series years before his paymasters had wrapped their heads around the platform's potential. His Z! True Long Island Story channel drew a flood of followers, endeared by the entertaining, honest portrayal of its host.

Before long, Ryder's new fans were vocally petitioning for an on-screen expansion of his character - much to the chagrin of The Rock, whose post-Survivor Series 2011 oratory was completed drowned out by chants of "We want Ryder!"

WWE had no choice but to relent, and rewarded the self-awarded Internet Champion with a real title run. Unfortunately, it was the United States a strap - a leathery backhanded compliment if there ever was one.

Ryder's new platform was sufficiently visible for a very public disassembly. Girlfriend Eve Torres turned her eye towards John Cena even as her partner became Kane's personal punching bag. When The Big Red Machine wheeled him off the stage, Zack's emergent career revival went over the edge with him.