Csonka Looks at The Post WWE Careers of Cody, Ryback, Juice & Rex

– Welcome back to column time with Larry. One thing we always see in wrestling is transition, transition between the various stages of a company or an individual wrestler. I find it very fascinating to watch the transition that an individual makes once they leave WWE. Did they do their best in WWE? Did WWE do their best with that individual? Or was that person used well by WWE and just weren’t as good as many fans thought? Will they bust their ass and prove WWE wrong, or will they be complacent and ride it out on the name value they have left? One thing we know is that some nosedive once they leave WWE, and others thrive. Today we’re going to look at four people that left the WWE fold for various reasons, and see how they have done and the different approaches they have taken…

The Ryback: Ryback was a guy that WWE could have pulled the trigger on a few times, but for various reasons the timing never worked out for him. One big thing to me is that Ryback was extremely inconsistent in the ring. He had his moments, but was never a consistent enough performer to be a top guy, and didn’t have the mic skills or charisma to cover up for his lack of consistent in ring work. He thought he was worth more than he was, he stood up and fought for that, and Vince told him to take a walk. Like many guys that get releases, he promised to show WWE made a mistake, promised to prove he was a top guy and that he was the real deal. Since his WWE release in August of 2016, The Big Guy has recorded more podcasts (approximately 32) than worked matches (20). Now it’s obviously easier to record a podcast then to work a wrestling match, but what happened to the Ryback that was pissed off, wanted to prove that he was better than WWE presented him as, who wanted to prove he was the real deal? Unfortunately the Ryback became the Cryback, using his podcast to sound like 90% of disenchanted former WWE stars, running down the company, the wrestlers still there, creative for not using him good enough and all along the way, taking no accountability in his failure. It’s everyone’s fault but his own. Ryback has taken the easy post WWE path, reportedly charging “I’ll work if you’re stupid enough to pay my rate” prices, and my most reports I get in, working the laziest “playing the hits” style matches possible. And from the matches I have been able to track down, this is accurate. Ryback is only 35, and acts like that disgruntled 60-year old vet talking about the office screwing him and that things were better back in his day.

Aron Rex: Aron Rex, formerly known as Damien Sandow, was released by WWE in May of 2016. I will freely admit that I felt WWE could have gotten more than they did out of him. I don’t think that they used him poorly, but I felt that there was more meat left on the bone. I was actually upset by this release, because he was one of those guys that did everything asked of him, fought hard to make it back to WWE, went through a lot of poor booking but was able to stay over with the crowds, something guys that are booked well cannot do at times. At the time of his release, Sandow sounded as if he wanted to retire to pursue acting and life outside of wrestling. Sandow then became Aron rex, debuting with TNA/Impact Wrestling on August 11th. When he debuted, he cut the big “the handcuffs are off” promo all failed WWE mid-carders cut when they go to TNA/Impact Wrestling, promising a new him now that he was free. He had the following to say in the promo…

“This is my way, an even playing field to take and seize opportunity, to exercise and realize my potential. Mark my words, my way is not only going to change the landscape, but is going to change the very template of our industry…”

Apparently the guy he described never made it to the Impact Zone, because Aron Rex did none of this, or if he did, “changing the very template of our industry” means coming off lazy, unmotivated and continually turning in poor performances. Rex was set to retire, was only working a few indie shots and TNA then overpaid to get him, thinking that they may luck into a Christian Cage scenario. But TNA over paid, Rex showed up out of shape, looked as if he never cared, and did nothing positive for the company. To say his run was painfully average may be an insult to average performers. And now he’s considering retiring again; I wish the guy that got released by WWE in 2007 was the one that showed up in Impact, he cared, he wanted to prove people wrong. What we got in 2016 was a guy that had given up, wanted out and now wants to be an actor. Fair play to him, I wish him well, but if I never see him wrestle again I’ll be perfectly fine with it.

Juice Robinson: In March of 2015, CJ Parker requested his release from WWE. He was with WWE from 2011 to 2015, and saw that the writing was on the wall. He wasn’t happy, he knew he was dead in the water and was never going to get a real push with WWE bringing in big name independent stars. He used NXT trainer Matt Bloom’s relationship with NJPW to get in with the company, and by October, had signed a deal to become a full time member of the roster. Juice Robinson is a great example of betting on yourself and busting your ass to succeed. I was no a fan at all of CJ Parker in NXT, hell I wasn’t a fan of Juice Robinson early on in his NJPW run; he felt like a square peg being forced into a round hole. Robinson seems like a really good dude, has been thankful in regards to his time in WWE and to Bloom for being a good trainer, friend and for being his way into NJPW. And after that rough start, Robinson has slowly but surely been one of the most improved performers since arriving in NJPW. He worked hard, he was aligned with Hiroshi Tanahashi (in the lovingly called group of Tanahashi and friends), is over with the crowds and not only got a run with Tanahashi in the World Tag League, but was trusted enough to be Cody’s debut opponent at WrestleKingdom, their biggest event of the year. He recently just pinned Tetsuya Naito after a long chase where Naito constantly tortured him, cheated him and humiliated him; Robinson finally got one over on him and pinned him in a big tag match, and that earned him a shot at Naito’s IWGP IC Title. Despite Naito’s popularity, Robinson was treated like a conquering hero when he picked up his win against Naito. Robinson is a great success story, slowly working his way up the card and constantly improving. Robinson is about to main event the WRESTLING TOYO PROVINCE 2017 on April 29th against Naito, challenging for the IC Title; he’s come a long way since CJ Parker. He’s had a great WWE exit, worked hard and made the most of his opportunities; if some worked half as hard as he does when they get the boot/leave WWE, maybe people would care about them.

After 8/19 pic.twitter.com/txeAKw9SSN

— Cody Rhodes (@CodyRhodes) May 28, 2016

Cody: If I am being completely honest, I think that Cody orchestrated one of the best modern WWE departures; it was smart, well planned and it worked to make him feel like a bigger star than he was in WWE. Cody was not happy with his role in the company, wanted out and planned very well for it with his list. Many thought that the list was silly, but he created a buzz by listing some of the most popular indie acts and events. Cody reportedly priced himself smartly, picked up a ton of bookings right away and did it on his terms; he didn’t want to be a contracted talent, and wanted to basically “work the territories” as much as possible. This led to him working TNA Bound For Glory, ROH Final Battle and then NJPW WrestleKingdom following his release, which is a hell of an accomplishment. Along with his various independent appearances, Cody has worked with TNA. ROH & NJPW in semi-regular to regular roles, while joining Bullet Club. While I have been very hard on Cody’s post WWE run as far as match quality goes (not bad at all, but disappointing at times), the one thing I can say with certainty is that he’s made himself a big star outside of WWE, and did so with an excellent exit plan. He’s positioned to make NJPW his home base, compete in the G1 and with the NJPW US expansion project about to kick off, will likely play a big role in that as one of their top US names. Cody also appears to behaving the time of his life, making the move more that worth it for him; he always wanted to be like his dad, and is now “traveling the territories,” doing what he wants and where he wants.

– At the end of the day some guys talk a big game when leaving WWE, cry about not being used well and then prove WWE right (Ryback & Rex) while shitting the bed and not delivering, and others just shut up and deliver (Robinson & Cody).

– End scene.

– Thanks for reading.

“Byyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyye Felicia!”