Assessing Future Of 10 WWE Stars Who Didn’t Make Royal Rumble 2019 Cut

9. Zack Ryder

Get hy...wait, we've already done that one.

Wrestling Observer chief Dave Meltzer has reported that Zack Ryder was initially in the #4 spot WWE eventually handed to Kurt Angle on the night. According to Dave, creative put the legend in because they thought he'd get a bigger pop than some 'Long Island Iced-Z'. They were right, but it still sucks for Zack.

He was literally in the Rumble match right up until the 11th hour. Interestingly enough, Meltzer also claims WWE didn't change the booking for Kurt at all. He worked the same spots and lasted the same three-minute duration Ryder would've before being dumped out by Shinsuke Nakamura.

Ryder's likely used to WWE setbacks by now, and this is just the latest example of him being overlooked. It's hardly promising for his future prospects that a creaking Kurt Angle replaced him though. If January is any indication of what the rest of 2019 will be like, then Zack best get used to palming his forehead.