Incredible as it may seem, Ryback once looked poised to be the next big thing. For a brief moment, in late 2012, it appeared as though he could perhaps become the next Batista, a jacked-up powerhouse who, while limited in the ring, had somehow managed to strike a chord with the WWE universe. After years in developmental, injuries and failing to get over when given a rare opportunity, Ryan Reeves was repackaged as Ryback, who went on a Goldberg-like run of jobber destruction. Although initially bombarded with 'Gooooooldbeeeeeeerg' chants, the act started to get over as Ryback demanded that the powers-that-be feed him more. Ryback got so over that he was placed into a feud with WWE Champion CM Punk in the autumn and the two clashed for the title at Hell in a Cell (in the cell). Ryback was so hot and gathering such momentum that it seemed implausible that WWE would book his 38 match win streak to come to and end, but that's exactly what they did, via a low blow and a fast count from crooked referee Brad Maddox. And like that, Ryback's babyface main event career was over. Sure, he had a couple of minor feuds as a heel with the likes of John Cena, but they never lasted long and Ryback more often than not found himself sliding down the card soon after. WWE really booked themselves into a corner in October 2012 by putting Ryback in their with Punk. Ryback could have been something special (honestly!).
