The Future Of Zack Ryder: Main Event or Mid-Card Hell?

On the December 29th, 2009 edition of Extreme Championship Wrestling, ECW original and hardcore legend Tommy Dreamer lost the final match of his career to the young hot-headed, up and comer Zack Ryder. An average match but with historic properties, witnessing both the death of the last original and the possible beginning to the rise of Zack Ryder. This occurrence was surprising to a lot of fans who already knew of Dreamer's plans to retire but weren't expecting Zack Ryder to receive this significant push.

It could have been Vladimir Kozlov, Vance Archer, or any other destructive monster on the verge of heightening their careers with this one big win, but it was none other than Zack Ryder who retired Tommy Dreamer. The WWE obviously has plans for the long island native, by continuing Ryder's momentum with a victory over the Hurricane and various promos, boasting his accomplishments. At the Royal Rumble, CM Punk offered Ryder the chance to join the straight edge society, the most powerful stable of the WWE, a great privilege to any minor heel. So where is Zack Ryder in the highlight of his career? world champion or glorified jobber? will he live up to the WWE's new-found expectations?

Start off by reviewing Zack Ryder's character. The most positive thing that comes to mind when I think of Ryder is his name. The name Zack Ryder may be kayfabe but it's also catchy, awesome, and definitely one people would associate with a champion. Ryder is tall, muscular, good looking, and also has a decent move-set and promo skills to aid his ability in engaging in feds with rival faces. But the Zack Attack (inverted overdrive) doesn't live up to the catchy name and comes of looking to much like MVP's playmaker.

For many it's the idiotic ring attire and bogan gimmick (im not sure if the term bogan is used outside of Australia but if it isn't, a bogan is a dimly intelligent and lower ranking member of society) that lets him down. When Ryder acquainted the WWE Universe with the trikes (half trunks half tights) many (myself included) didn't see the creative department building his persona into a serious contender for the ECW title. But now the use of the trikes has become his trademark, like AWESOME!! to The Miz, John Cena's you cant see me, Rey Mysterio's hidden face, and the Big Show's size and weight.

In my opinion Zack Ryder should be included in the straightedge society and make a better name for himself on Smackdown and RAW before making a move in the draft. But it also wouldn't be bad if he remained on ECW and used the brand as a development ground for his new and more serious mannerisms before proceeding to compete as an upper mid-carder on Smackdown or RAW

So what are your thoughts on the heart and soul superhero of ECW? Will he prove them all wrong like the Miz did, or will beating the last of the ECW originals forever be his greatest achievement?