We want Ryder! (again and still)

Zack Ryder at WrestleMania 32

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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I'm not a bandwagon Zack Ryder fan.  But I will admit I wasn't on board with him early on when he was one of the Major Brothers.  However, when he went solo with the 'Long Island Loudmouth' gimmick, I started taking notice as he worked hard on the mic and in the ring to get himself over with the fans.

Broski of the Week

He toiled on the lower mid-card before introducing us to Long Island Iced Z on YouTube.  His creativity shined again and he was making himself more accessible to a legion of fans who weren't seeing Zack on WWE TV.  I subscribed and watched each week, even sending several different submissions to become "Broski of the Week."  I'm proud to say Zack finally picked me for Episode 22, an accomplishment I still brag about years later.

Ryder finally got his chance on the big stage and captured the U.S. Title.  Clearly the man was over with the fans, but for whatever reason his stint as champ was short lived and he faded back to Main Event (the show) and off shows like SmackDown and Raw. But he continued to entertain us all. 

The Hype Bros

The rollercoaster continued as he seemed to pick up new momentum in a tag team with Mojo Rawley on NXT.  The Hype Bros have a ton of potential, and I thought they might have even had a run as NXT tag team champions.  Then Zack was placed into the ladder match for Intercontinental Title at WrestleMania. 

Ryder wins!

There have been reports he was placed there because Neville was hurt, but Zack made the most of the opportunity.  I watched along with more than 100,000 other fans at AT&T Stadium as he climbed the ladder and snagged the belt.  After some fist pumps and Woo! Woo! Wooing, I had high expectations for the rest of the card.  That victory ended up not only being Ryder's 'WrestleMania' moment, but the highlight of the show for me.  I was proud that he had dusted himself off after years of neglect and literally climbed the ranks to the top.

Courtesy: WWE

When we arrived at Raw the next night and it was announced the title would be defended against The Miz, I had a bad feeling what was going to happen.  While I'm enjoying the rebirth of the Miz, I still think Ryder is grossly underrated, overlooked and misused.  I believe he's one of the most genuine people on the entire roster and works hard daily to move back into the spotlight.  He tweeted this earlier today, which is what inspired this post.  

I know no one from WWE is reading this, but in the off chance someone does, give Zack a legit shot.  WE WANT RYDER!

Tag Team Troubles... Again

The Usos
Photo courtesy: WWE

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
Listen to the podcast
Follow my blog with Bloglovin 

Once again the tag team scene in the WWE is struggling to stay alive.  Three great teams have been sidelined recently due to injuries.  While I wish all three Superstars who are hurt the best in their recovery, I'm also concerned about how the absences will affect what seemed to be a rebounding division.

In April Jey Uso suffered a dislocated shoulder which required surgery.  Doctors say his road to recovery will be six months, which would put him back sometime October potentially.  

Kidd's surgically repaired neck
Courtesy @KiddWWE 

Tyson Kidd, who had recently formed what I consider the best team on the scene today with Cesaro, just underwent major neck surgery after suffering an injury in a match against Samoa Joe.  Kidd tweeted out a pic of his surgically repaired neck and explained the road to recovery will be long.  Speculation is that he'll be out for up to a year.   I feel bad for Kidd as I would argue he's one of the most underrated talents in the WWE.  Since forming the team with Cesaro, I felt like both men were finally getting some solid support from the team backstage.  It's a setback for sure, but I hope Kidd comes back stronger than before and ready to dominate again, hopefully with Cesaro.

Harper & Rowan
Photo courtesy: WWE

Erik Rowan and Luke Harper have finally reunited as a team.  The two were back together briefly before Rowan suffered a torn bicep and will likely be out until the end of 2015.  I really thought the reunion of the two would lead them to a run as tag team champions in the near future.  I hope when he returns, the opportunity to team with Harper again is there.

Ryder & Rawley
Photo courtesy: WWE

On NXT, a new duo has formed with Zack Ryder and Mojo Rawley.  I like their spirit and energy and I wish the team nothing but success.  I really hope WWE focuses on developing a few more teams as it looks like three major ones on the roster will be on the sidelines for months to come.  Good luck to Uso, Kidd and Rowan on the road to recovery. You're already missed. The Prime Time Players, The New Day, LuchaDragons and Los Matadores need more competition.