WWE Vengeance 2011: United States Championship Match Announced (Spoiler Alert)

**WARNING, INCLUDES SMACKDOWN SPOILER**

Don’t look now, but he’s actually becoming relevant.

That’s right folks, Zack Ryder is finally being given what his fans have been demanding for months now.  He is finally being given a chance.  

It seems like just yesterday that Ryder was nothing more than an internet joke, a guy who posted one silly video after another in a desperate attempt to gain attention.  He was manufacturing his own push.

It has evidently worked, as now, not only is he still gaining fans online, he is beating Jack Swagger on Monday Night Raw.

One victory does not a career make, of course, but it is only the latest event in a whisper quiet run that is seeing Ryder reach a level that he has never really seen before.

He has reached the level of average.

Doesn’t sound like much, right?  Can’t argue with you on that one.  But, anything’s better than being invisible.

Hardly ever being on TV, and feeling the need to develop a character online because he’s not been given the same chance as others, was just not working for him.  He seemed to be on the outside looking in.

Now, Ryder is on an even playing field.  He’s got some spotlight, he’s on the air all the time, and he’s getting what amounts to a fresh start in the biggest pro wrestling company in the world.

He is no longer a novelty act, and now it actually feels like he’s a part of the company.

Finally.  

He’s gotten his opportunity, and now he even gets a shot at WWE gold.

On the upcoming October 21st edition of Friday Night SmackDown, Zack Ryder is granted a United States Title shot against Dolph Ziggler at Vengeance.

This title match makes perfect sense, considering where Ryder is, and considering his recent heat with Dolph’s tag team partner, the aforementioned Jack Swagger.  This bout is also logical for other reasons.

Dolph’s character is all about intensity, and that edgy personality could use an extreme opposite to showcase his skill against.

Zack Ryder is that guy.

Ryder, with his colorful ring gear, the shades, the spiked hair, the goofy smile and the stupid catchphrase that should not be over, but is, provides a nice contrast in style to Ziggler.

It’s good for Zack, as he finally has a chance to show what he can do in the ring, and be involved in a storyline where he can progress and grow as a worker.  He could take the title from Dolph, and it could happen in such a way that would not hurt Ziggler’s own rise up the ladder.

As of right now, it’s not really known if the previously booked tag team title match pitting Ziggler and Swagger against Air Boom was changed, or if it will still happen.  But, if that match does go on as advertised, then Ryder’s chances of walking away with the U.S. Championship are pretty good.

Even if Zack does not win the belt, a good showing at a pay-per-view should go a long way for his push in the company.  

Ryder’s chance to move even higher up the WWE food chain is actually here, and while most fans believed that this day would never come, the fact is it’s going to happen.  

So, now it’s time to see if the fans were right in their assessment of Ryder’s ability.  Is he ready?
Is Zack ready for the bright lights of the main event stage?  He’s likely up for the challenge, and really why shouldn’t he be?

No one wants to get into the business and work hard enough to get hired by WWE, to just sit on the bench.  Being in that company means that you’re on the biggest stage of them all, and you want to show your skills.  Zack Ryder is no different.

At Vengeance, Ryder’s fans will no doubt be primed and ready for him to take the next step in his WWE career.  For me, I say it’s about time.

Woo woo woo…you know it.