Ryback Describes What Killed His WWE Push
Ryback looked destined to be one of the next main event superstars in the WWE, bringing an excellent combination of size, athleticism and dominance, but things fell apart rather quickly.
After being built up as one of the WWE's next big things (literally and figuratively), Ryback's push stopped, and he was moved down the ladder and began only feuding with mid-card talents instead.
On his podcast, Conversation With The Big Guy, Ryback detailed the moment he saw his push coming to an end (h/tWrestlingInc.com), which he pinpointed at losing to CM Punk.
"I could have done a million different things. When I first got put into the main event, the first thing they should have done is that I shouldn't have lost when I did with CM Punk," The Big Guy said. "I should have never been put in that position with the momentum that we had."
Ryback also described his feud with Punk as "lightning in a bottle," but WWE "let it out." Not long after their lengthy rivalry ended, Punk walked out of the WWE and hasn't returned since, citing a frustration from his pay and the company's failure to let him headline a WrestleMania event.
The Big Guy then embarked on a run with the Intercontinental Championship, but he was nowhere close to being a main event superstar after his feud with CM Punk. It's easy to understand Ryback's frustration, because WWE definitely took an interesting road in building him up - only to move him way down the card in such a short period of time.
Both Ryback and Punk were among the more popular and talented superstars during their respective tenures in WWE. But despite what both accomplished, neither guy was happy with his place in the promotion, which is why neither of them are here anymore.
CM Punk is trying to get a career going in the UFC, while Ryback continues to work on the independent circuit. But you can't help but wonder how different things could have been if WWE let Ryback get over if he emerged victorious against Punk.
