7. Ryback Says His Intercontinental Title Win Was A Negotiating Tactic By WWE, Says Promos Suffered Because People Worked In Fear of Vince McMahon
During a recent interview with Sports Illusrated, former WWE Superstar Ryback discussed winning the Intercontinental Championship (which was the only Title he won during his time in WWE) and on how that was a negotiating tactic by WWE. Below is what he said:
“They gave me the title just so I would re-sign a contract. That is not uncommon and they do things like that all the time. Outside of live events where I was able to get a microphone and say whatever I wanted, which always worked well, I didn’t enjoy my title run because I hated reading the WWE promos.
The promos were atrocious during my whole last run. I delivered them exactly as I was supposed to deliver them, but the writing was so out of touch. I remember Jericho went up to me and asked, ‘Who’s writing this?’ And I said, ‘Vince. I’ve tried to get it changed but he wants me reading it word for word.’ Vince wanted me to read his promos word for word, and I never enjoyed that and I never will.
The problem with these writers who work for Vince is that they’re scared. Everyone is scared. I used to tell Vince that all the time. I’ve told him, ‘You have all these people who are scared around you. They can’t truly do their job. They’re always going to play it safe and nobody is going to take chances.’ That’s why you see these promos with guys, week in and week out, playing it safe, staying within the guidelines, keeping the sponsors happy, and keeping it PG. They don’t want to take a chance with anybody saying anything that could create controversy, and that’s why you see the product the way it is today.”
