Honorable Mention – Zack Ryder
So…what the heck happened with Zack Ryder? I’m not normally a conspiracy theorist, but when a guy gets over the way Zack Ryder got over – on his own, with no help from the machine – and then is dumped on his face, never to be heard from again, it really makes you wonder.
It’s worth pointing out I was never the biggest Ryder fan. Anybody with eyes can see that he’s super popular, and one look at his Twitter account will tell you everything you need to know about how he should be doing in WWE. Do I think he should be WWE Champion? Not really. But she he have 3, 4, maybe 5 Intercontinental Championship reigns under his belt? Absolutely. Should a guy with that much popularity at least be on television, every single week, getting heels over? Absolutely. Should he be at home, sitting on his couch, watching half the roster have mediocre matches with mediocre reactions from the crowd? NO.
Not using Zack Ryder is one of the stupidest things that company has ever done. Whoever made the decision – and continues to make the decision – clearly shows their knowledge for business, and for doing what the fans are asking. It’s intentional sabotage of profits. HE DOESN’T EVEN HAVE MERCH ON THE WWE ONLINE STORE!! Every time he isn’t on television, WWE is almost literally saying “No…I’d rather not utilize the 1.6 million followers he has on social media, and go with something else.” The fact is, he should be on this list, and he’s not.
To Whom it May Concern,
You’re an idiot.
#10 – Jeff Hardy
The “charismatic enigma” Jeff Hardy was really good, for a very short period of time during the WWE PG Era. He went from mid-card guy to WWE Champion overnight, selling more merch than just about anyone, and some were even considering him the next big sensation in pro wrestling. His feud with CM Punk was the defining rivalry that took Punk to the very top. His feud with Edge took JEFF to the very top. And then…he was gone.
What’s frustrating is that Hardy was THE PERFECT GUY from the PG Era. He wasn’t vulgar, he had bright, interesting clothing, he was extreme but reserved in doing so, and the fans absolutely loved him. If he would have stuck around, I have no doubt that Jeff would be a 5 or 6-time WWE Champion, with a first-ballot Hall of Fame announcement coming soon.
