Ryback, Luke Harper and Latest WWE News and Rumors from Ring Rust Radio

Ring Rust Radio is the best wrestling show on the airwaves, and this week was no different. With strong opinions on Ryback, Luke Harper and more, this is where you need to go to get all of your weekly WWE nuggets.

Bleacher Report featured columnists Mike Chiari, Donald Wood and Brandon Galvin give the lowdown on everything going on in the wrestling world.

With another unpredictable episode of Ring Rust Radio in the books, you can't afford to miss another second of the action. Catch us live every Tuesday at 9 p.m. ET (some language NSFW) or follow us on Twitter @RingRustRadio.

We may just read your questions and comments live on the air. Visit our new website at RingRustRadio.com. You can also email us here: [e-mail].

*Some language NSFW.

Ryback Plays the Field Ahead of Survivor Series

WWE's effort to re-establish Ryback as a legitimate threat continued on Monday's edition of Raw. After initially joining Team Authority for its match against John Cena's team at Survivor Series, The Big Guy had a change of heart and fought off several Authority members after a main event match against Cena, and it now looks as though Ryback could potentially be in line to contest the Authority at Survivor Series.

Question on Everybody's Mind: Is Ryback Being Used Effectively?

Although Ryback hasn't yet been named as a member of Team Cena, conventional wisdom suggests that the partnership is inevitable. He is no longer a part of Team Authority and clearly has a dislike for the Authority as well. Given that there is an open spot on Cena's squad, all the pieces are in place for The Big Guy to make the jump.

If Ryback does round out Team Cena, then it will place him back in the main event scene for the first time since 2013. Ryback's fall from grace was quick, as he seemed to be developing into one of WWE's top faces. Now that WWE is once again pushing him, though, the fans have wasted no time in embracing him.

While Ryback is essentially a face, his willingness to hit Cena with a Spinebuster means that he isn't prototypical by any means. WWE seems to be building Ryback into a multi-faceted character, which is something that could help him have sustained success this time around.

Ring Rust Radio's Take

Although it is certainly nice to see WWE making an effort to build more stars, one can't help but think that Ryback is currently in a position that may have better suited Dean Ambrose. After all, Ambrose has been at odds with the Authority since the night after WrestleMania XXX and was in a long-running feud with Seth Rollins as well. At the same time, he is something of a wild card who wasn't exactly keen on Cena.

Ambrose is the perfect anti-Authority face, and it would have been interesting to see him struggling to coexist with Cena while also trying to take the Authority out of power. Ambrose obviously dislikes the Authority, but he was abruptly removed from any involvement with them after Bray Wyatt interfered in his match at Hell in a Cell. Ryback may ultimately thrive in his new role, but it is tough to deny that Ambrose should be involved in the Survivor Series main event.

Rumor Mill

Survivor Series stipulation setting stage for WrestleMania angle? (WrestlingInc.com)

Luke Harper Seemingly Joins Team Authority

Luke Harper hadn't appeared on WWE programming since the Wyatt Family was initially removed. After a few weeks of vignettes, however, he made his return at the conclusion of Raw by attacking Dolph Ziggler. Harper also declared himself "a team player" to Triple H and Stephanie McMahon, which almost certainly means he will represent Team Authority at Survivor Series.

Question on Everybody's Mind: Does Harper Belong on Team Authority?

Harper is unquestionably one of the most intriguing talents on WWE's roster, and he now has an opportunity to prove his worth as an individual rather than Wyatt's henchman. Immediately placing Harper in a main event match could be huge for his development, but WWE certainly has to be careful with how it ultimately decides to handle him.

Having Harper get pinned or made to submit by Cena at Survivor Series wouldn't do him any favors, given he was on the wrong end of that far too many times as a member of the Wyatt Family. Harper needs to have a good showing, and if he is eliminated, then it has to be by disqualification or count-out. An eventual singles feud with Ziggler over the Intercontinental Championship looks to be on tap, so having Harper mercilessly destroy the Showoff with a chair could actually give his character a significant boost.

Ring Rust Radio's Take

Giving a rising star a taste of the main event scene is never necessarily a bad thing, but putting Harper in this position does contradict the storyline to some degree.

WWE likes to save Triple H's in-ring activity for special occasions, but with his power on the line, it seems obvious that the Game should entrust himself by joining the team rather than relying on five other wrestlers. That doesn't necessarily mean Harper should be the odd man out, but it does present a logic gap of sorts.

Also, Harper just came off being part of stable, so putting him back in that type of environment could be detrimental. There hasn't yet been any indication that Harper will join the Authority after the match is said and done, but perhaps having him re-debut at Survivor Series by interfering and attacking Ziggler would be a better option.

Harper has the talent to thrive, regardless of his involvement of Survivor Series, but WWE certainly should handle him with care—unlike what it did with the Wyatt Family prior to its dissolution.

Rumor Mill

Possible Raw plans for Harper (WrestlingInc.com)

Ring Rust Radio's Friends of the Show Draft

Ring Rust Radio continued its rich history of holding trimonthly drafts, but this one had a different spin on it. Rather than focusing on an era of professional wrestling, the RRR panelists held a draft in which the eligible wrestlers must have been a guest on the show at some point in the past.

Question on Everybody's Mind: How Did the Draft Shake Out?

RRR has built up a star-studded list of interviews over the years, and the Friends of the Show draft certainly proves it. Brandon Galvin, Donald Wood and Mike Chiari were able to find great talent in all 20 rounds, and they will certainly have some great options for their eventual fantasy cards.

The draft was serpentine in nature, with Galvin picking first, Wood selecting second and Chiari rounding it out with the third pick. Here is a look at the rosters each panelist ended up with.

Brandon Galvin:

Stone Cold Steve Austin

Goldberg

DDP

Bully Ray

Austin Aries

Tommy Dreamer

Bad News Barrett

Adam Cole

Rhino

Paul Heyman

Jim Ross

Hardcore Holly

New Jack

Al Snow

Stevie Richards

Paul Bearer

Steve Corino

Bo Dallas

Robbie E

Mike Mondo

Donald Wood:

Kurt Angle

Bruno Sammartino

Jake “The Snake” Roberts

JBL

Ken Shamrock

Christopher Daniels

Kazarian

Kofi Kingston

Matt Sydal

Sami Callihan

Shane Douglas

MVP

Jay Lethal

Dixie Carter

Ethan Carter III

Magnus

Jim Cornette

Roderick Strong

Tommaso Ciampa

Luke Hawx

Mike Chiari:

Chris Jericho

Jeff Hardy

Rob Van Dam

Million Dollar Man Ted DiBiase

Matt Hardy

Bobby Roode

James Storm

John Morrison

Davey Richards

Eddie Edwards

Honky Tonk Man

Jerry Lynn

Eric Young

Santino Marella

Michael Elgin

Kyle O’Reilly

Adam Rose

Lanny Poffo

Chris Masters

Blue Meanie

Ring Rust Radio's Take

Ring Rust Radio has had an eclectic mix of guests, and this draft illustrates that perfectly. From current WWE, TNA and ROH stars to Hall of Fame legends, each of the show's hosts managed to come away with plenty of talent.

Since the fantasy cards will be constructed on the basis that everyone drafted is considered to be in their prime, that is how the rosters should be judged as well. Picking one roster over another is simply a matter of preference, though, due to the obvious parity involved.

Let us know who you believe compiled the best roster in the comments section. Stay tuned for the anticipated fantasy cards next week.

Ring Rust Radio's Season 6 Fantasy WWE Standings

1. Mike Chiari: 292.5

2. Donald Wood: 282.5

3. Brandon Galvin: 12.5

4. Joe Arcidiacono: 0

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