WWE: 10 Moments From The PG-Era That Made You Mark Out

9. Zack Ryder: More Than Just Internet Champion

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pphhUGgnvg In February 2011 Zack Ryder started a YouTube web series called 'Z! True Long Island Story'. The show was a massive hit with wrestling fans and made him an almost cult figure. His t-shirts sold out and chants of "We Want Ryder" could be heard in most arenas despite him still not featuring. In June Ryder had his first match on Raw that year but lost. He would become assistant to SmackDown General Manager Teddy Long to give him a role on programming, and eventually found in-ring success by scoring a non-title victory over United States Champion (and Z! True Long Island Story antagonist) Dolph Ziggler thanks to help from guest star Hugh Jackman. This would launch a rivalry between Ryder and Ziggler, as Long Island Iced Z failed to capture his championship on two occasions until John Cena sacrificed a World Title shot to get Ryder one more chance. This chance came at TLC where he defeated Dolph Ziggler to a huge reaction from the Baltimore crowd including his own father (familiar to fans of the online show) who was in attendance. Ryder's victory could have only got a louder response if it was in his home-town of Long Island but it was a near perfect climax for the dedication Ryder had put in to elevating himself from jobber status. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLYnBhy7wcQ The following night on Monday Night Raw "the internet darlings" all joined together to celebrate their championship wins at TLC: Ryder, Daniel Bryan (who had cashed in his Money in the Bank contract to become World Heavyweight Champion) and CM Punk (who had retained the WWE Championship).