I think the WWE has always known about the talent that is Zack Ryder (and even Curt Hawkins). The WWE put them in a role where they were working with the top guys on SmackDown! (and even played a role in the main event of WrestleMania XXIV), and I don't think they would do that if they didn't think they were at least capable of doing it.
Ryder "gets it." He seems like one of those guys that is always trying to make himself better. He and Hawkins would do those videos for YouTube, even though they weren't called to them as part of their job, and I envision that Ryder had a lot to do with his guido gimmick. He's constantly coming up with new nicknames for himself, to just get himself that little bit more over as a dick. His ring work is impressive, and even if he doesn't always get the biggest pushes, he'll still do little things (like changing his ring attire) to make sure that he's doing something.
That he's only 25 gives me great hope that he'll mature into a huge asset to the company. I could see him winning the United States Title very soon, and even being the guy who replaces R-Truth in Money in the Bank, and really helping that match out by doing something impressive.
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