When Raw Went Off The Air (pretty cool story actually)

[Jari]

Zack Ryder closes Boston's Raw dark mach

Posted by Mike McMahon

http://www.examiner.com/images/blog/EXID1734/images/3511908090_480b7a2f9e.jpg (http://www.examiner.com/images/blog/EXID1734/images/3511908090_480b7a2f9e.jpg)
BOSTON -- As soon as Monday's RAW went off the air, the crowd at TD Garden started to head for the parking garage, in an attempt to beat traffic.

If you did, and you're reading this, you might want to stop. Because you'll be sorry with what you missed.

A six-man tag team match was the dark match main event. John Cena, CM Punk and Randy Orton were set to face Mark Henry, The Miz and R-Truth.

But, before the bell, the Boston crowd wouldn't stop chanting for ... Zack Ryder.

"We want Ryder!" Clap, clap, clap-clap-clap.

Repeat. Then repeat again. And again, and again ... you get the picture.

Then all of a sudden, CM Punk left. He hopped off the apron and disappeared to the back.

A few moments later, Ryder's music filled the Garden and Punk returned, pulling behind him a street-clothes wearing Ryder.

The match became 4-on-3.

This definitely was not supposed to happen. Cena, Punk and Orton were joking with Ryder on the apron and the referee went back and forth between the teams in what looked like a way to communicate a new finish.

Ryder wound up scoring a pinfall victory over The Miz to close the show.

Then, things got better.

The faces celebrated and Miz crawled up the ramp, selling Ryder's finisher. The faces brought a microphone into the ring, handed it to Ryder, and left.

The three biggest faces in the company gave Zack Ryder the stage.

Ryder got on the mic and said (and I'm paraphrasing), "39 weeks ago, I started a web show on Youtube with the intent to either get noticed or get fired. Thanks to you people, I got noticed."

He then thanked the Boston crowd and said, "Hey Boston, you're all broski of the week."

Ryder then made his way up the ramp to join his team, but it wasn't over. Punk made sure Ryder returned to ringside, and told him to shake hands with everyone around the ring. Then Orton, Punk and Cena left. Zack Ryder, with his music blaring, closed the show at TD Garden.

And maybe I'm just a huge mark, but I'm happy to say I was there to see it. And I hope, somehow, someway, that ends up on television.

Woo woo woo, you know it.

http://www.mackwrestling.com/2011/11/zack-ryder-closes-bostons-raw.html

[Majunior]

Well, when Punk says he wants fans to be entertained, I'm inclined to believe him.

[Lock Jaw]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/cMb-y09wttU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Only shows the end of the match though, and not the stuff that happens afterward, or him coming out in the first place.

[Xero]

Here's part of the promo:

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[Lock Jaw]

Pretty amazing what he has done for himself, really. Still can't get over it.

[Jari]

I would go as far as to say that Ryder is the most inspiring story of the year and he puts a hell of a lot of people who have been released over the years to shame.

[Xero]

The problem is that the gimmick he's created can't work on a main event level. I don't buy him in the ring with guys like Orton, Cena and even Miz at all. He's a VERY solid and useful midcard talent, though. But they need to keep him away from the main event. I understand why they're doing it, but it'd be like having Val Venis main event every so often on RAW in matches involving Rock or Austin. It just doesn't work.

[Jari]

Hell the guys was looking at the abyss of the wrestling business (or worse yet - TNA) and now he's one of the most talked about guys in the WWE online and his merchandise is outselling a lot of people. I'm sure he knows that there's a limit with this gimmick but to be a midcard talent, probably looking at a US title run soon enough is extraordinary for a guy who was on the verge of being wished the best in his future endeavours.

[Testicle]

The problem is that the gimmick he's created can't work on a main event level. I don't buy him in the ring with guys like Orton, Cena and even Miz at all. He's a VERY solid and useful midcard talent, though. But they need to keep him away from the main event. I understand why they're doing it, but it'd be like having Val Venis main event every so often on RAW in matches involving Rock or Austin. It just doesn't work.


I see what you are saying. But remember that Austin was a Hollywood Blond and the Ring Master. And Rocky was Rocky Miavia. You gotta start somewhere.

Not that he will ever reach that level. But he could have an angle where he drops the gimmick, comes out in black trunks and is a serious wrestler. Crazier things have happened in this biz.

[Nicky Fives]

He's giving WWE no choice but to push him...... He's getting a bigger reaction than 99% of the roster.....

[Xero]

I see what you are saying. But remember that Austin was a Hollywood Blond and the Ring Master. And Rocky was Rocky Miavia. You gotta start somewhere.

Not that he will ever reach that level. But he could have an angle where he drops the gimmick, comes out in black trunks and is a serious wrestler. Crazier things have happened in this biz.

I agree that there's absolutely room to grow if WWE latches onto him. But my take is that WWE is only latching onto him because he's in this specific gimmick that they now realize will sell and is over huge. I really don't think they see him as anything more than the gimmick, which is why I have a feeling that they'll run it into the ground and he'll be milked dry. I feel he's at the beginning of his fifteen minutes of fame.

Good business for WWE, but not a bright future for Ryder 5+ years down the line.

But I'm open to the possibility of him legitimately breaking out as a real star. It just takes WWE's nod to look at him as higher on the card Santino.

[Ruien]

I agree that there's absolutely room to grow if WWE latches onto him. But my take is that WWE is only latching onto him because he's in this specific gimmick that they now realize will sell and is over huge. I really don't think they see him as anything more than the gimmick, which is why I have a feeling that they'll run it into the ground and he'll be milked dry. I feel he's at the beginning of his fifteen minutes of fame.

Good business for WWE, but not a bright future for Ryder 5+ years down the line.

But I'm open to the possibility of him legitimately breaking out as a real star. It just takes WWE's nod to look at him as higher on the card Santino.

I see your point, but if he did not create this gimmick where would he be at? Shit, being a mid-card wrestler in the WWE is damn good. Having him as John Cena's partner wasn't really bad, Rock tag teamed with that guy who spit green mist before. No idea if that is what you mean as him in the main event picture, I doubt he will ever be in the chase for the title for a year or two at least (Assuming he evolves).

[St. Jimmy]

Aggressive Mediocrity is a result of Aggressive Self Promotion.

[Jari]

I see your point, but if he did not create this gimmick where would he be at? Shit, being a mid-card wrestler in the WWE is damn good. Having him as John Cena's partner wasn't really bad, Rock tag teamed with that guy who spit green mist before. No idea if that is what you mean as him in the main event picture, I doubt he will ever be in the chase for the title for a year or two at least (Assuming he evolves).
And if it ends tomorrow, he at least has an identity that he can take onto the indies instead of being that guy...you know was in a tag team...backed up Edge...no not Bam Neely!

[dhellova guy]

I don't know, I could see him as a sort of Mikey Whipwreck type deal where no one expects him to really do anything, then all of the sudden scores a win over the champ. Probably would only work once or so, but he could be booked in a series of re-matches where he somehow, someway manages to hold onto the title, let him keep it for a few months, then lose it to someone in some sort of 3 or 4 way match where he doesnt get pinned, there by setting up a rematch. I could by that. May be some pretty decent matches in there.

Hell, it beats putting the belt back on Cena or Orton for the 8 billionth time.

[Tazz Dan]

I think he can keep his gimmick and be a main event player down the track, but it will need tweaking at some point. Slight change of promo style and maybe different ring music would be all that's needed.

[Tazz Dan]

Of course, as TPWW's #1 Broski I loved that this happened at Raw also.

[Aguakate]

I think he can keep his gimmick and be a main event player down the track, but it will need tweaking at some point. Slight change of promo style and maybe different ring music would be all that's needed.

You know what the solution for every wrestler is...

...GO HEEL.

[Tazz Dan]

lol I almost jokingly suggested that. With a good face build up he could have a great heel run, but that could happen down the road a bit.

[Next Big Thing]

After I was done reading and watching those videos I realized I had a huge smile on my face. It's a nice feel good story and much respect to Punk too.

[Swiss Ultimate]

The problem is that the gimmick he's created can't work on a main event level. I don't buy him in the ring with guys like Orton, Cena and even Miz at all. He's a VERY solid and useful midcard talent, though. But they need to keep him away from the main event. I understand why they're doing it, but it'd be like having Val Venis main event every so often on RAW in matches involving Rock or Austin. It just doesn't work.

I say they just let his popularity and character grow naturally. He's only going to get better ring-wise and I don't know if I'll ever get bored with the guy. He reminds me of an up-and-coming DDP.

[Mr. C]

SmackDown Spoiler
It was announced that Dolph Ziggler is also defending the United States title against Zack Ryder at Survivor Series. :y:

[FourFifty]

Zack Ryder has become (with all due respect to Dusty Rhodes) The American Dream. No one else made Zack Ryder except Zack Ryder. He took a one in a million chance, and cashed in on it like he was on fire. The guy might not be the most talent guy but to his fans (which is a great number of people, including myself) but he has a halo over his head and stigmata scars. No one can really complain about him, so all he gets is praise. WOO WOO WOO! YOU KNOW IT!

[Sting Fan]

He reminds me of an up-and-coming DDP.

Great analogy. I have been off the product for a long time now. I venture back from time to time but haven't been a regular watcher since Eddie died.

I have tuned into Raw (albeit while channel surfing) 4-5 times in the last 2 months. Mainly for Punk and this guy.

Looking at some of the guys they have floating around I think maybe WWE is going somewhere in the next 4-5 years.

Top it off with the Cena fans growing out of him and into Punk, it all could be going places.

[Rock Bottom]

I really had no idea why people thought so highly of Zack Ryder, I thought he was silly and useless. He's made complete idiots out of people like me and I'm glad he's got himself over. I'm also glad that other talents recognize that and go to bat for him.

[Supreme Olajuwon]

I wonder if WWE would've ever pushed him if Cena and Punk hadn't started mentioning him on tv. Also surprised to hear how close he was to being released seeing as how he's apparently BFF with every major player in the locker room.

But whatever man, he worked hard to get himself over and he's succeeding. Gotta love that. And you gotta love the example it sets too.

[Rammsteinmad]

Not that he will ever reach that level.

I'm sure this was said about all the greats in this industry when they started out. Austin, Rock, Cena, Hogan, Michaels, Flair etc...

[Supreme Olajuwon]

Well we know for a fact that was said about Austin, Jericho, Guerrero, and Benoit since that's a big reason they all left WCW.

[James Steele]

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f105/TwistedSteeleEntertainment/l_78f42d12122b4392882efb7d56c16b3b.gif

[GD]

SmackDown Spoiler
It was announced that Dolph Ziggler is also defending the United States title against Zack Ryder at Survivor Series. :y:

But wwe.com states that Dolphin shall defend his United States title against John Morrison.

[Tazz Dan]

It's a swerve. Something will happen at the PPV so Zack gets his match.

[OldSchoolFan]

It's a swerve. Something will happen at the PPV so Zack gets his match.

possibly triple duty for the Ziggles... an extra way to get strap on Ryder and Zig say it was BS

[GD]

Bet your candy ass TD Punk!

[Lock Jaw]

Ziggler wrestling twice on PPV two PPVs in a row.

Gonna start a "Mr. Twice-In-One-Night" gimmick.

[VSG]

"Mr. Twice-In-One-Night"??

That's what she said!