Ryback Explains WWE Departure – Says He Was Lied To & Betrayed

– Conversation with the Big Guy, the new podcast from former WWE performer Ryback, is now live. You can listen to the first episode at this link. During the show, the Big Guy discussed his decision to leave the WWE, here are some notes from that…

* He is thankful to the WWE, everything he has and the man he has become came from WWE and Vince McMahon. WWE drove him to be a better person, but he felt that he and WWE could not get along in a business relationship.

* When he won the IC Title, he thought it was very random because he felt the company was never fully behind him. This is when they came to him with a new contract offer.

* He says he left a three-year, $1.5 million ($500,000 per year contract) on the table when he left WWE. $600,000 goes straight to taxes (total), and another $400,000 or so for travel expenses over the three years.

* He had several talks with Triple H, and felt that he had to protect his brand. He felt that he wasn’t allowed to promote himself or his programs, and felt that the company was not behind him.

* He was happy with the money, but decision to leave was based on a few things, including broken promises and the lack of creative. He felt that with the taxes and road expenses it wasn’t worth it. He did not understand how the biggest wrestling company in the world will not pay for all travel (hotel, rental car, etc).

* In regards to the article he wrote about pay before he left WWE, he wrote that after being lied to constantly about creative. The last three months were hell, he was told he would be the #1 heel and get the title put on him. Vince said that if he read the promos written for him word for word that he would be the guy. At one point, he was scheduled to work w/ AJ Styles (and win) at WrestleMania. Vince told him that he would squash AJ in the match. Ryback put over Styles as a great performer, and very easy to work with, the two worked a lot on the international tour and Ryback said he would wrestle him every night it was so easy..

* One week later, Ryback wanted to see if Vince would follow through on his end of things. He got booked with Kalisto, which was to heat Ryback up. He then got switched to the pre-show, which led to him talking with his attorney about guaranteeing the contract. He got put on the Payback pre-show, and knew that they would not carry on with their part of the deal.

* He felt that WWE was about to run him into the ground on his way out, and he thought they were about to book him “like a piece of shit.” He then demanded to be taken off the show, and wanted to go home. It was a culmination of constant lies and WWE not following through on what they had told him.

* WWE creative constantly limited what he wanted to do; he is more than what was presented on WWE TV. He is thankful for the time in WWE, but he feels betrayed on certain levels.

* He thanks the local competitors he worked with when the Ryback character was initially getting over. He had some creative freedom during that time, and that allowed him to get over. He actually spent time with the local guys, and ate with them, and did it so that he wanted to let these guys know he appreciated them and that they were working together for a goal.

* He always tried to make negatives into positives. Early in the Ryback run, Cena goes down with an injury and he was tossed into the main event with Punk. He gets upset when people say he failed in the main event, but he feels he did not fail because he was never set to be the guy. He then lost the next 6 or 7 PPV matches, as one of the top two merchandise sellers, his booking was horrible. Even then, he had to BEG to get merchandise and they kept turning down the idea of selling gloves because no one buys them. Now Reigns, AJ and others have gloves for sale.

* The company would also say that his merch wasn’t selling well, following a long period of them booking him like shit.

* Flex and Muscle & Fitness wanted him for photo shoots, but WWE would never allow him. He is happy that Sasha and Charlotte got their chance, but why wouldn’t the company invest in his brand when those outside places asked for him. They always told him they would revisit this, but there was always some excuse for them not to allow him to do the magazine.

* If you’re not one of the chosen ones you do not get the shots. The company should make sure that everyone’s brand is strong, they should be invested in all of the performers; everyone is important. WWE taking away outside opportunities is hurting the brands of the talent, which they should be building.

* He is happy to be in control of his career now, and will prove that he can succeed. He doesn’t have to wrestle anymore; he has made a lot of money and is secure. He disagreed with WWE on business, and WANTS to wrestle because he loves it. He wants to prove a lot of people wrong and wants to entertain the fans.

* At 34 years old he had to take control of his destiny.

* In regards to his asking price for independent dates, some will price themselves out because they really do not want to wrestle. Some people have reported his asking price for dates (reported at $5,000 a pop) as a negative. But with him you get the meet and greet, you get to advertise him and you get the match with the goal that everyone makes money. Also, being fresh off of TV, his image is fresh and he had to take advantage of the chance to get the first bookings set. He wants to have fun and make good business for he and the promoters.

– Again, you can listen to the full interview at this link.