10 Incidents That Cost WWE Stars Their Big Push 6

6. Zack Ryder Didn’t Have The Initiative To Take Advantage Of His Unscripted Popularity

There was a time when Zack Ryder was more popular than The Rock. That sounds crazy, but when Survivor Series 2011 went off the air and The Great One addressed the Madison Square Garden crowd, he could barely be heard over the cries of “WANT RYDER!” In a month’s time, Zack Ryder would be United States Champion, a month after that he’d lose it to Jack Swagger and almost immediately drop down the card. So what happened? Well, it depends who you ask.
The general consensus is that WWE don’t like it when guys get themselves over. Zack Ryder became a fan favourite through his YouTube show Z! True Long Island Story where he’d poke fun at himself, and his status in the company. Shortly after they gave the crowds what they wanted, Ryder entered into a love-triangle with John Cena and Eve, and became embroiled in Cena’s feud with Kane. Ryder was repeatedly emasculated and humiliated until the crowd were trained to not like him any more.
Hardcore legend, Mick Foley, has another take, however. Foley said on Stone Cold’s podcast that he asked Zack if he chased it up with Vince and was told that he didn’t. Mick posits that Vince likes guys that seem eager and hungry, and that Ryder just didn’t have the initiative to follow-up.