Zack Ryder Has Chance to Start Over on WWE SmackDown
By Jay Sichler
After being drafted to the Smackdown Brand, Zack Ryder has a chance to start his career over on the new show.
Tuesday started a new era for WWE when the company held a draft. The draft consisted of pitting of having one-half of the roster compete on RAW and the other on Smackdown. For some superstars, the draft creates the ability to start over. One of these superstars who needs a reset is Zack Ryder.
Despite Ryder having a huge following, good mic skills and being solid in the ring, he has failed to really make it in WWE. The Broski has had mild success such as winning both the United States and Intercontinental Championships, but he has yet to truly make his mark in the WWE.
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The fear was that Ryder was going to be drafted to RAW. This fear was seen to be close to a reality when Rusev (Ryder’s opponent at Battleground) was drafted to RAW. Thankfully, he was instead drafted to Smackdown during the WWE Network portion of the draft.
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With a very crowded roster on RAW, it is a godsend that Ryder was drafted to the smaller Smackdown brand. With a smaller roster, he should be able to receive television time on a consistent basis compared if he went to RAW.
The former U.S. champion should instantly enter the mid card picture where he can compete towards earning a shot at the Intercontinental Championship. Smackdown has a younger core stars in the mid card and Ryder can make a name for himself in the mid-card.
Ryder also got a gift when his partner from NXT, Mojo Rawley also got drafted to Smackdown as well. If for some reason Ryder can’t make it, in the mid-card he can always reform the Hype Bros with Rawley.
The duo could enter the tag team division on Smackdown and could help strengthen the division on the brand. With other teams like the Vaudevillians, American Alpha, and The Usos, Ryder and Mojo Rawley could really help make Smackdown’s tag division.
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- Eddie Kingston stands to gain the most from the AEW Continental Classic
- Trish Stratus on WWE NXT would help elevate that women’s division
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Any way you look at it Zack Ryder going to Smackdown was a true blessing for a talent who has not got many breaks so far. Whether he decides to enter the tag division or continue his singles career, the sky is the limit for Ryder on Smackdown Live.