Zack Ryder Interview

[Troy]

Zack Ryder was interviewed by Newsday.com’s Alfonso Castillo to promote tonight’s WWE RAW from Long Island, NY. Here are some highlights of what Ryder said about:

How His “Z! True Long Island Story†YouTube Show Came About:

“What happened was that about three months ago I was sick of just not being on TV, sick of just sitting in the background on the sidelines. So I created my opportunity. I created my own Youtube account. My parents got me a Flipcam for Christmas. And I started to make my own shows. And 16 episodes later, more than a million views, it’s starting to pick up… All my days off is basically doing that show. It’s thinking of things and messing around with my friends. They’ll help me film stuff, like the Superstars General Manager—just things to create controversy in a funny, light hearted way… I think I had no creative output before, so they really didn’t know who I was. I had a couple matches here and there, but I never really had a chance to show who I really was, my personality and show how charismatic I was. Now this show has taken off. Guys like John Cena, The Miz, ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin, Chris Jericho are all praising me on Twitter and stuff like that. I wrote the bonus forward to Chris Jericho’s book. It’s just unbelievable. I think everyone is starting to notice.â€

Whether He’s Gotten Heat From WWE Management For The Show:

“At first, I was afraid too. I thought, ‘Am I going to get in trouble?’ But I’m not trying to cause any problems. I just want to get my name out there and create my own opportunity, and make some money for the company and for myself. Now they’re really getting behind it. Like you said, there are signs every single week. My T-Shirts are selling out, and I’m not even on television. It’s unheard of. So, I think they have to get behind it.… As far as I know, I haven’t been punished. But before I started the Youtube show, I was at the bottom of the card—the bottom. How much worse of a position could I have dropped to, you know? So it had to go up. That was my mind set. I was just sick of being at the bottom, knowing I could be so much more. It was all or nothing, basically.â€

Working His Way Up The WWE Ranks:

“I guess I am grateful that I have a job in WWE, but that my plan my whole life. So, it’s kind of expected for me. So I’m not satisfied with my spot on the card. I definitely want to move up. And that’s what I’m going to do. Or at least I’m going to try my best and go out swinging. I’m not going to just sit back and say, ‘Oh, I should have done that,’ or ‘I should have done this.’ When my time comes to an end, I know I’ll have no regrets… I’ve been under contract for five years. I’ve been on television for four. So that’s a pretty long time. So many people come and go in four years. But I have all the time in the world. I’m only 26. I’m one of the youngest guys on the roster. I’m not going to stop until everyone in this world knows who Zack Ryder is.â€

Great interview. WWE have to be impressed that he has done this all himself, he created this gimmick and then pushed it and sold it to the fans. Like he said his t-shirt is selling out when he isn't on television. He has a great attitude, rather than sulking and complaining about not being on tv he is glad to have the job and is working hard to move up the rankings. Can't not like the guy.

 

[Big Red Jericho Punk]

This is awesome, you were spot on. How can you not respect Ryder, the guy wants to be known and improve. He is dedicating himself to making a name for himself and is awesome. The only down part of last night was Ryder not appearing on Raw, not sure why I know Dolph Ziggler wasn't happy.

 

[Weez]

I have a feeling he wasn't on RAW last night because he's technically a heel and between his youtube shows and being in the hometown, he'd have gotten a HUGE facepop. From what I read about Superstars, he got the 3rd loudest pop of the night.

 

[Deezy]

It seems like he is Jericho in WCW, getting over with nothing but his personality and a forum to display it. Jericho had his entrance time to grab a mic and say a few words, Ryder has Youtube and Twitter. I hope it works for him, not confident in his chances. If nothings been done with him yet, than maybe nothing will.

I didn't realize he was that young.

 

[Tapout]

It seems like he is Jericho in WCW, getting over with nothing but his personality and a forum to display it. Jericho had his entrance time to grab a mic and say a few words, Ryder has Youtube and Twitter. I hope it works for him, not confident in his chances. If nothings been done with him yet, than maybe nothing will.

I didn't realize he was that young.

Hah! I was thinking the same thing! Glad I'm not the only one who sees the comparison. Jericho got fed up with not being used, and started pushing himself, now Ryder is doing it.

I like how he's not too bitter on not being used to often. Hes grateful to even have a job with them, and it shows a lot about who he really is. Seems to me though like WWE is holding off for a reason. Kinda like dangling him in our face, to make us want him more. It's a nice strategy if it's not used for too long.

 

[Prodigy]

I'm giving it plenty of time. WWE won't sky rocket him over night whatsoever, it would look unprofessional, as the company they are, they book themselves, the fans don't book.

I reckon WWE love Ryder, I really do. I actually think Vince respects him immensely but is worried to push in case it backfires, which it quite possibly could. Ryder's got plenty of time to work his way up.

 

[Andrew]

Ryder face turn would work if he got utilized on RAW. Think about the mid-cards on RAW only Kofi, Bourne and Masters are face but they lack in mic-time... Ryder can handle the mic quite well and a face turn for him could help the mid-carders with the mic.

Swagger, McIntyre are both people who are great on the mic same with Ziggler. It'd work but I highly doubt WWE would do it but they should

 

[Lucky]

I really like where Zack is coming from here.

You can clearly see he wants to try and work as hard as possible both in the ring and outside of it to elevate his status in the company. Others are noticing, too bad Vince isn't. Maybe Trips will finally develop a set and give this guy the push he deserves.

 

[The New F'n Show]

Ryder is a smart guy, he is making himself a very popular guy without even showing his face on TV and yet says the right things in public. Vince will only be able to ignore it so long before seeing $.