In the world of wrestling, few figures are as complex as Ryan Reeves, better known by his ring name, Ryback. Since leaving WWE in 2016, the bristling brawn has been a whirlwind of controversy. Reeves’ grievances with the WWE, expressed in his impassioned tweets and interviews, target the WWE’s business practices, leadership, and its attempt to control his wrestling moniker. Reeves’ transformation into a vocal critic of the company offers a fascinating insight into the inner workings of wrestling stardom, the perception of wrestlers’ rights, and the intricate dynamics of the WWE and its business model.
Ryback’s journey in the WWE began in 2004, when he signed on after impressing wrestling scouts on the reality TV series, “Tough Enough.” His wrestling persona, a man-eating musclehead, would later debut in 2012, quickly captivating fans and ascending toward the title of WWE Champion. Alas, the gold eluded him, and his once meteoric popularity began to wane. Despite a brief reign as Intercontinental Champion, his star continued to fall until it finally disappeared from the WWE skyline following a public dispute over his contract in 2016.
Reeves’ main bone of contention? WWE’s payment structure, which Ryback criticized as inadequate and unfair. He aired his grievances in a since-deleted Tumblr post, stating unequivocally that his decision to depart the WWE boiled down to business.
The acrimony between Ryback and WWE didn’t end when he left. Borrowing a page from the Ultimate Warrior’s playbook, Reeves legally changed his name to Ryback to prevent WWE from trademarking it. When he tried to trademark the name himself, the WWE responded with a legal salvo, adding to the simmering tension.
Ryback’s tumultuous relationship with the WWE extended to its veterans, too. Most recently, he had a falling out with WWE legend, Booker T, culminating in the latter revoking his invitation to his podcast. The reason? Booker T didn’t think that the disgruntled WWE star was interested in hearing opposing views. This episode further cemented Ryback’s reputation for ruffling feathers, as he turned to Twitter to vent his frustration and direct further criticism at the WWE and its management.
Ryback’s infamous comments about the recently-deceased mother of Vince McMahon, WWE’s Chairman, illustrate just how hostile he is against the company. Although he later apologized, Ryback asserted that he felt compelled to strike back against the company that had allegedly caused him financial harm by delaying the trademark battle over his name.
His acerbic remarks about the company’s leadership and practices, coupled with his no-holds-barred style, have made Ryback something of an enfant terrible in wrestling circles. His constant bashing of WWE has not only alienated wrestling legends like Booker T but also other wrestlers like CM Punk, who once accused Ryback of being an unsafe wrestler. Ryback claimed that Punk’s issues stemmed from jealousy over merchandise sales, highlighting the competitive, business-centric aspects of their relationship.
Today, Ryback’s aggressive advocacy for wrestlers’ rights and his willingness to challenge WWE’s power dynamics seem to have replaced his wrestling career. His anti-WWE crusade and the controversy it stirs have become his new gimmick, and his anticipated appearance on the Joe Rogan Show suggests he’s not done revealing the WWE’s underbelly yet.
With Ryback gearing up to air WWE’s laundry out for the public to see, it’s clear that this particular wrestling match is far from over.
Of course, we won’t just rule out the possibility that Ryback is just hyping up his potential AEW debut.
