Former WWE star Ryback‘s return to wrestling looks to be in the work, with The Big Guy having big plans for his comeback.
The former WWE Intercontinental Champion left the WWE in 2016, but hasn’t wrestled at all since 2018.
He burst onto the scene in 2012, crafting an undefeated streak that rivalled Goldberg, whom he was compared to on a regular basis.
While a Ryback return has often been discussed by fans, it never looked like he would come back to the ring – especially given some of the contentious comments made toward Vince McMahon.
He previously said that we wouldn’t see a Ryback WWE return, as long as Vince McMahon is involved with the company.
“I will be very open to going back to WWE if they are sold. I have always been quite frank. If Vince McMahon is out of there and there is a brand new leadership, I will then be very interested in revisiting that, because that will be beneficial for me as a brand and as a performer going back to where I am known from, where I built an audience that is already well aware of who I am.”
With Triple H now in charge, it is more likely that Ryback will return to the WWE, although it is still a very slim chance.
After avoiding wrestling for the last few years, Ryback has revealed that he now owns the trademark for the “Ryback” name, and is targeting a return to the ring in 2023.
He also mentioned how he has got over his health struggles, with that and the issue of his name being what was stopping him from wrestling.
Speaking to MuscleManMalcolm, Ryback said about a return to pro-wrestling in 2023.
“Yeah, [getting back to the ring is] the goal, I think. I finally won my Ryback trademark for everything. We’re just waiting for the official documentation, which might be a few more months, but once that documentation is in my hands, we will be able to move forward and do business. I’m finally healthy. I’m back and this is the year.”
He also noted that in his return to wrestling, Ryback would like to face Wardlow in AEW. Ryback has been rumoured to be signing for AEW over the past few years, with The Big Guy teasing the signing multiple times.
“There’s a lot of guys that I have my eye on. Wardlow piques my interest, and I think there’s a big opportunity right there. I’m a fan of what he’s doing and what he’s done. I like people that can come from nothing and get people on their side. That caught my eye early on, so he’s a homegrown AEW talent that hasn’t been in the ring with anyone like Ryback yet.”