Ryback is known for making some pretty off-the-wall statements, and he might have just made the craziest one yet.
On an episode of his “Conversations With the Big Guy” podcast, the former Intercontinental Champion claimed that he was supposed to wrestle the late, great Ultimate Warrior at WrestleMania 30:
“Mark Carrano actually had showed me the WrestleMania card early,” Ryback said. “They kind of have an idea of what they want to do, obviously, ahead of time, and they had on it Ryback versus Ultimate Warrior. And I just said ‘Cool.’ But, in my head, at the time, it was during my heel deal, that first one, where it probably wasn’t gonna be a favorable position for me as far as all that. But I was excited, because I figured it was his one last moment in WWE. So, I thought it would be really cool. I didn’t think I would necessarily be the right guy for that, because I didn’t know anything about him. I didn’t know what kind of shape he was in, if he could wrestle or not, but I 100% would have done it because I did everything that they asked me there.”
Ryback’s claim is pretty sensational if true – Ultimate Warrior passed away just two days after WrestleMania 30. However, Warrior’s widow, Dana Warrior, as well Warrior’s manager Steve Wilton both took to Twitter to deny the claim.
Not true. It always saddens me when people tell untruths on a man’s grave to promote their lives. Do your OWN work. Dana https://t.co/Y4VnJ98uUZ
— The Ultimate Warrior (@UltimateWarrior) July 14, 2017
Zero truth. I negotiated the whole deal with Warrior. He wanted to be nothing but an ambassador for the company and mentor the young talent.
— Steve Wilton (@SteveWiltonUK) July 14, 2017
Zero truth to Ryback vs Warrior at WM30. Warrior had no intention of ever stepping in the ring. Listen to his speech. It was never discussed
— Steve Wilton (@SteveWiltonUK) July 14, 2017
The Twitter war didn’t stop there, however. Ryback indirectly responded to Warrior by tweeting a link to the full podcast – and telling her exactly where the part concerning her late husband begins:
2:06:39 mark to be exact. Hope all is well Dana ? https://t.co/3xc8ejm0Pm
— The Big Guy (@Ryback22) July 14, 2017
Am I the only one who thinks it’s both suspicious and super passive aggressive that Ryback didn’t bother to directly tag Dana Warrior in the tweet? Of course, that didn’t stop word of his response from getting back to her:
I’m well, Ryan. Cultivating a legacy not living in fantasy xo?Dana https://t.co/73XfwmbKFy
— Dana Warrior (@DanaWarriorWWE) July 14, 2017
For what it’s worth, Ryback also notes in the podcast that the plans may have changed or the whole idea may have been a rib. Either way, perhaps he should have just kept the alleged match up to himself.
What do you think about Ryback’s claim? Do you think there’s any truth to it or was he just trying to promote himself? Share your thoughts below!
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