Video: Take a stroll down memory lane with Zack Ryder and the latest Z! True Long Island Story

by Sergio Hernandez on Feb 3, 2012 10:49 PM EST in Video

It's almost been one year.

51 weeks ago Zack Ryder had an idea. Feeling underutilized by the WWE, he decided to take the bull by the horns and work outside the rigid parameters set by his employers. He wanted fans to know who he was, chant his name and care about whether he won or lost matches. Heck, he just wanted to have matches to win or lose in the first place.

So he took to the internet. More specifically, YouTube. He started his own web series called "Z! True Long Island Story." Every week, Ryder invaded your home via your computer screen for seven to 10 minutes and endeared himself with humor. Casual fans and even the most savvy insiders took notice and pretty soon, so did the WWE brass.

Before the show, he was jobbing to Sheamus in 11 seconds and spending most of his time on NXT or Superstars. Now, he's on Raw week in and week out, has a United States Championship reign under his belt and is currently involved in a major storyline with John Cena and Kane.

This week's episode takes a look back at the first 50 weeks. Check out the video after the jump.

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Comments

Ryder or Riot

Those of you who aren’t down with Long Island Iced Z…Are you serious, bro?

"Blinding ignorance does mislead us. O! Wretched mortals, open your eyes!" Gil Hodges IS a Hall of Famer.
Ryder or Riot #WWWYKI

AA Gamethread Embiggening Record Holder- 458 posts (08/24/11)
3rd Place- 2011 AAOP Contest | 1st place- 2012 AAOP Contest

by Brooklyn Dodgers Mets Fan on Feb 4, 2012 12:09 AM EST reply actions

It took Zach 50 weeks to revive his career.

But it only took one shitty storyline to kill it yet again. I’ll never not be sad by that.

by *Asterisk* on Feb 4, 2012 12:48 AM EST reply actions

What now?

The show did what it was meant to and that’s get him noticed. One of my favorite moments of the year (outside Cena Punk MITB) was watching him win the title at TLC because it was a storyline almost a year in the making for the fans.

But that was the climax. While he is still an underdog in his own rights, the clever show that was about him not being pushed and getting noticed can no longer be about that. Now WWE is using the show to get their YouTube channel over which I worry will change the show too. Zack’s show was always a bit raunchy with sex themes and even blood. Will WWE now have final say now that it’s on their network?

Maybe it’ll change and the show will be used to push current rivalries for Zack when he gets back from his faux injury. The show can still be entertaining and keep his fans more attached to him than any other wrestler in the WWE, but it will need a little make over to fit where Zack is now instead of a year ago.

by KDidz on Feb 4, 2012 2:12 PM EST reply actions

Shift the focus to Zack's dad

Gotta love Zack’s dad.

"Blinding ignorance does mislead us. O! Wretched mortals, open your eyes!" Gil Hodges IS a Hall of Famer.
Ryder or Riot #WWWYKI

AA Gamethread Embiggening Record Holder- 458 posts (08/24/11)
3rd Place- 2011 AAOP Contest | 1st place- 2012 AAOP Contest

by Brooklyn Dodgers Mets Fan on Feb 4, 2012 4:25 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

I feel the friendship between him and Cena (that just started, yet is being played off as being for years) is going lose him some fans.

It’s an attempt to get the Internet fans to like Cena but all it’s gonna do is kill Ryder’s momentum.

Now, count up your crimes!

by Cyclonejoker on Feb 4, 2012 2:41 PM EST reply actions

I think they are actually friends

Cena was one of the first stars to go on his show, Cena has been interacting with Ryder for months now, and I think Ryder wants to be a new Cena. It’s not this big diabolical approach to get Cena new fans. Ryder is probably ecstatic to be involved in a storyline with Cena. Not that it is any good, both in general and for Ryder. But I think he enjoys being with Cena.

I'm big, I'm white, I'm Irish, and G*d damnit people like me!

by C. J. Bradford on Feb 4, 2012 3:36 PM EST up reply actions

Cena's been an outspoken support of Ryder's initiative to do this.

And for what it’s worth, being friends with Cena may not endear him to the fans, but could endear him to the brass who still sees Cena as their guy. I like Cena more for supporting a guy like Ryder.

by KDidz on Feb 4, 2012 4:12 PM EST up reply actions

Same here

Don’t like the story, but you gotta give respect to Cena for giving Ryder the time of day, helping him out in the early days, and all that.

Shows that John Cena the person is indeed a cool guy.

"Blinding ignorance does mislead us. O! Wretched mortals, open your eyes!" Gil Hodges IS a Hall of Famer.
Ryder or Riot #WWWYKI

AA Gamethread Embiggening Record Holder- 458 posts (08/24/11)
3rd Place- 2011 AAOP Contest | 1st place- 2012 AAOP Contest

by Brooklyn Dodgers Mets Fan on Feb 4, 2012 4:23 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Yep

Considering how outside the norm Zack Ryder’s rise in popularity has been, it really can’t hurt to have one of WWE’s top guys supporting him so fully. I think Punk is also a pretty big Ryder supporter too, which only further helps to make sure he isn’t being buried like some apparently think is happeing.

by hfl2013 on Feb 4, 2012 7:11 PM EST up reply actions

Can’t take the dude seriously with the gimmick and don’t see the appeal. Guy comes off as a human WHAT? chant. Sure he may sell some merch and it’s the cool thing to do to be annoying by chanting for him but I honestly don’t think many really care that much about the guy. It’s like cheering for the retarded kid when they are voted prom king, it’s cool to do but still it’s a big joke.

by Chris Cutrer on Feb 4, 2012 4:50 PM EST via iPhone app reply actions

z true long island story

with no comments allowed its just STUPID

good job wwe, doing social network stuff but not letting your fans say what they think or want, of course, what do they know right? they’re just the stupid fans that give you all their money SMH

by chaggo on Feb 4, 2012 5:58 PM EST reply actions

I have no problem with that

There are a few hilarious gems i the YouTube comments section, but they are usually nothing but a bunch of spiteful crap. If you have a comment, I’m sure you can hit up Zack Ryder on Twitter/Facebook and have your voice heard.

by hfl2013 on Feb 4, 2012 7:12 PM EST up reply actions

You tube comments make me feel embarrassed to be a wrestling fan. It’s a cesspool for the dumb and uneducated although great comedy can be found there. The only better comedy is the Vince Russo board.

by Chris Cutrer on Feb 5, 2012 9:21 AM EST via iPhone app reply actions