WWE: Is WWE Behind Zack Ryder's Cult Following?

Since branching off on his own in 2009, Zack Ryder has been one of the most unusual superstars in WWE. From starting his "Woo Woo Woo" catchphrase on The Dirt Sheet to launching his own YouTube channel, Ryder has garnered the attention of more and more fans as time has gone on. While Ryder has not racked up championships or even victories on his own, the Zack Attack on the status quo of WWE has been something to see for quite some time now. Fans cannot believe how large Ryder has made himself without the help of WWE. However, can we honestly believe that WWE has had no part in this?

Ryder uses all aspects of social media, but is that something we haven't seen from WWE themselves? Fans have watched as WWE has used social media to expand their entertainment to the masses. All shows, short of RAW, have been accessible on YouTube and Hulu, while NXT and Superstars have both been put on WWE.com as Internet exclusive content in the last few months.

WWE has also utilized Twitter, putting essentially every superstar and announcer that they have on the site. When superstars and Divas were drafted this week, each draft pick was announced by WWE's official Twitter with a link to each of the draftee's pages. Feuds like The Rock and John Cena have been built up with tweets.

Another huge part of Ryder's rise in popularity stems from all of the signs in the crowd at events. Various phrases, such as "Broski of the Week," "Ryder or Riot", and "Zack Ryder = Ratings" have appeared in the past few weeks during RAW and Smackdown broadcasts. A report came out suggesting that WWE was confiscating Ryder signs at a recent event. However, signs have been seen on television since then and there is no word on what exactly took place that night.

The more that is done to rebel against Ryder's advances, the more that his fans get excited and call for action to be taken. The WWE Draft chat during Tuesday's Supplemental Draft had Ryder as a guest in the chat room. The room was filled with Ryder fans who hoped for Ryder to get a new beginning on Smackdown. As the final pick was announced to be a draft pick for Smackdown, tension could be cut with a knife. When Sheamus was officially announced, many fans screamed out in pain, fearing that their beloved superstar had lost his last chance to avoid being released.

Ryder has made many statements over the past few weeks and months, especially on his YouTube show, where he talks about how WWE "does not push" him and "dropped the ball" with him. Actual statements have been seen from former superstars like MVP and Matt Hardy. It is one of the major reasons that they are two of the many people who are former WWE superstars and not current ones. Statements that Ryder has made would bring a pink slip with it in many cases. If they are seriously from Ryder himself, the fact he has survived his comments is a miracle in itself.

I can't help but see similarities between Ryder with WWE to Charlie Sheen and his former sitcom Two and a Half Men. Both created video shows to spout out whatever nonsense they can think of. Both have developed cult followings. Both have made headlines in their respective fields for their statements toward their employers. We all know how WWE likes to mirror stories seen in other parts of entertainment. Could this Zack Ryder phenomenon be an act?

If so, it is one of the great hoaxes that WWE has ever pulled off. Ryder is a favorite backstage and the evidence points toward Ryder being in on it the entire time. Then again, if Ryder gets released from his contract then maybe it was all real after all...