Ryback in Need of Feud Reminiscent of Ultimate Warrior vs. Rick Rude

To best use his Intercontinental Championship reign as a springboard, Ryback needs a despicable, daunting rival as Ultimate Warrior had in Rick Rude.

Over 25 years ago, Rude helped catapult Warrior into the main event. He was the ring general that guided the face-painted fan favorite to his great matches, the foil that made it easier to cheer for the Warrior, the backbreaking test that showcased the Warrior's mettle. That story and that rivalry provide the template of how to elevate Ryback today.

After the majority of his time in his IC reign has been spent colliding with Big Show, it's clearly time to move on.

The overexposed Big Show hasn't created much spark as Ryback's chief rival. Fans seem disinterested for the most part, and there's a distinct lack of electricity around their feud.

Rather than continue on with it, WWE would be smart to accept that this rivalry has hit its peak already. It's hard to imagine them putting together anything better than what they did in their clash on Raw on Aug. 31. 

Big Show's plodding offense is not a great match for Ryback. They offer the same strengths and same weaknesses. Just as pitting Hercules Hernandez against Ultimate Warrior for several months surely would have, Big Show vs. Ryback has disappointed. 

Thankfully, WWE is seemingly interested in pushing The Big Guy in a new direction. On Monday's Raw, Kevin Owens appeared backstage before Ryback's match to wish him well. 

Here is the answer to Ryback's sluggish start as champ: Owens can be his Rick Rude.

Despite Rude and Warrior both boasting chiseled bodies, they were the antitheses of each other. Warrior was frenetic, uncontrolled; Rude was methodical, measured, a cold-hearted strategist. Warrior was the roaring superhero; Rude was the narcissist with bad intentions.

One could easily use those distinctions to describe Ryback and Owens as well.

The juxtaposition of their characters would aid their rivalry just as it did with Warrior and Rude. It would be a similar story of good versus evil, of knight versus assassin. 

And Owens could certainly provide the same in-ring foundation that Rude did for Warrior. Like the late Hall of Famer, Ryback leans more on energy than precision. He's no great mat worker, but with the right dance partner, he can have a standout performance.

As Wade Keller of Pro Wrestling Torch pointed out, that's what Rude did for Warrior:

Some of Warrior's greatest hits came with Rude standing opposite him in the ring. They collided at WrestleMania V, SummerSlam 1989 and in a cage the next year at SummerSlam 1990. Those last two bouts were two of Warrior's most acclaimed in-ring efforts, Rude helping him to reach the peak of his wrestling ability.

Ryback could use some standout contests after so many ho-hum ones against Big Show. Owens has certainly proved that he can provide that. He's been on fire since signing with WWE, putting on great showings against John Cena, Finn Balor, Cesaro and just about anyone who the company throws his way.

He's a reliable, versatile worker much the way that Rude was. 

The story of Rude and Warrior's feud has elements WWE should certainly reuse, but it shouldn't begin the same way. A "super posedown" at the 1989 Royal Rumble kicked off this testosterone-fueled war. There's no reason to go down that road again.

Instead, it's how Rude vs. Warrior at WrestleMania V ended that WWE should borrow.

Warrior had won the IC title by blowing away Honky Tonk Man in record fashion, and he then went through the rest of his challengers with little resistance. Rude upset him to end that run of dominance.

Credit: WWE.com

Bobby Heenan held down Warrior's leg to ensure his heel client would win, tainted victory or not.

This forced Warrior to become the hunter. He sought revenge, something that took months to realize. In the meantime, Rude was smug and slippery, just managing to sidestep the charging bull.

Owens is perfect for that role. He has spent much of his career antagonizing the audience. This would give Ryback a strong storyline to build toward his next title reign rather than the sudden way he captured the belt the first time. 

It was SummerSlam 1989 when Warrior finally did get his hands on the man who took his title.

The powerhouse fought one of his toughest battles to date en route to becoming champ again. With his face paint all but sweated off, he dove onto a prone Rude to get the win.

This is the kind of climax WWE should be aiming for with Ryback. The subpar quality of the Elimination Chamber match in which he first won the IC title deflated the power of his crowning moment.

Have him now enter a long series of battles with Owens. Have him play the part of the cheated Warrior who puts on the best performances of his life on his way to a second title win.

Feuding with Rude catapulted Warrior. He wouldn't have been as believable a foil for Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania VI without first making it past The Ravishing One. Warrior emerged from that rivalry with Rude looking more like a legitimate star and a champion fans could rally around.

That's the kind of journey Ryback has to be hoping Owens takes him on.