Ryback is a personality who tends to make waves whenever he says something. He has a show and he doesn’t even really say anything controversial. He’s been outspoken about his time in WWE, CM Punk, and a variety of things in the business. That’s his brand. Recently, there have been rumors that he could join AEW next year.
A Lengthy WWE Career…That Didn’t Seem That Long
He first came into wrestling as a contestant on Tough Enough following some time training with WWE. While he didn’t win, he would end up in Ohio Valley Wrestling to shape up his in-ring craft before heading to the main roster. Most of Ryback’s career had been in the WWE system and he went through a few phases before coming to his final gimmick before leaving in 2016.
Ryback’s journey through WWE isn’t the most unique. Wrestlers will come in, be touted as someone to watch, have up and downs, win at least one title—usually a tag title of some sort—then bounce. In the case of Ryback, he was also considered particularly green and dangerous to wrestle by some wrestlers and fans.
Of course, there are some—such as AEW World Champion, Chris Jericho—who had no problem with him.
Is Ryback AEW Bound?
That brings us to Ryback potentially signing with AEW. Since becoming an independent talent, Ryback’s lost one match and that was to Matt Hardy in November 2016. His last noted match was in August 2018 defeating Dylan Bostic for the fourth time in a month.
He recently tweeted a picture of himself shaking hands with fellow WWE alumnus and AEW talent and executive, Cody. The Big Guy has also been enthusiastic about what AEW is doing and feels that the company should focus on growing slowly. Whenever the issue of him signing with All Elite Wrestling comes up, he’s been open to it.
During an AMA on Reddit, Ryback said that once he was healthy and good for in-ring action, he’d reach out to Cody to see what he could do for AEW. So, it seems he’s more invested in a potential career with AEW than sitting down with WWE who has apparently left the door open for him.
The Big Guy’s Place In AEW
Is there a place for Ryback in AEW? If you mention a wrestler or talent, there’s a place for them in roughly any promotion. It’s just a matter of what their progress would look like in that position. Will that wrestler only sink with the amount of talent and appeal of talent in the company? Are they able to shine and the only place to go is up? Will their role be to stay in this particular place and stay there no matter what?
That’s the thing with Ryback in AEW. Where would he be placed on the card? Would he even be in the ring? I’d love a heel color commentator at the booth and Ryback has shown that he’s comfortable on a mic and discussing what’s going on.
One thing is for certain: 2020 is going to be interesting for professional wrestling.
