Ryback vs. Bray Wyatt Should Continue Past WWE Payback

Bray Wyatt defeated Ryback at WWE Payback on Sunday, May 17.  The Big Guy gave all he had to take down The Eater of Worlds, but it was not enough, as Wyatt went over in the end.  But the story should not end here.

Ryback has arguably never looked better than he did at Payback.  He was comfortable in his own skin, he moved smoothly in the ring, and his overall routine was practically flawless.  This was not the stiff, cumbersome Superstar many fans have complained about.  This was a guy who seemed to fit in.

The best anyone in the WWE locker room can hope to do is contribute to the program, to make his mark in a big way.  Ryback proved once again at Payback that he is capable of doing just that.

credit: wwe.com

Of course, he was not alone in the ring that night.  Wyatt was in his element, stalking his opponent from the moment he stepped through the darkness.  Wyatt brought the intensity he brings to every match, the same intensity that saw him push Undertaker to the limit at WrestleMania 31.

Wyatt fit in as easily as Ryback did during their match. They had good chemistry, and the match got over. It's because of this that the rivalry deserves more time.

Ryback needs a lengthy feud in order to grow.  It's something he's not had much of through his WWE career.  It's been a series of short feuds, and then he moves on to the next one.  While this has been OK in the short term, it hasn't helped him at all in the long term.

If he's to be taken seriously as a main event star, he needs to prove he can work a long program and generate fan interest while doing it.

credit: wwe.com

Wyatt's feuds have been lengthier, but he arguably has not been affected much when they've ended. He goes back to business as usual and moves on to the next challenge. With Ryback, however, this would not be the case.

Wyatt could be used as the veteran in this rivalry, the guy who's a bit further along and willing to lend a hand to the guy coming up.  It would be interesting to see just how much Wyatt could do for Ryback's career and if he could give him enough rub that the crowd would begin seeing The Big Guy as the hero WWE is portraying him as.

Perhaps that question was answered at Payback. The fans favored Wyatt when the match started, but later, the reaction was divided.  The crowd saw the work Ryback was putting in and respected him for it.

That respect would likely continue if these men had more time to work together.

The feud could lead to big things for Ryback, as it would give him an opportunity to prove he can hang with a main event-caliber Superstar, and this time, he could win the rivalry.  The same could not be said when he faced John Cena, but things have changed.

Ryback has grown, and he's ready to take on more than ever before.  But putting him in one-off feuds in which he loses is not the way to go about it.  He needs more, and working Wyatt is a way for him to get more.

Repetition is the key; putting him in the ring with opponents who can help elevate him will make him even better.  This should not be about WWE giving Wyatt a quick win in a one-shot feud, and it should not come at Ryback's expense.

This should be two guys getting the chance to show what they can do when a main event shot is on the line.  There is no way to know what Ryback and Wyatt are capable of until they have an opportunity to show it.

The feud may dissipate now, but that would be a shame.  After all, Ryback and Wyatt are just getting started.