WWE News: Ryback opens up about his Hell in a Cell match with CM Punk 

What’s the story?

On a recent edition of Conversation With The Big Guy, Ryback spoke to his podcast co-host Pat Buck on a myriad of topics, most prominently revealing backstage details on his infamous Hell In A Cell (2012) match against CM Punk.

On that note, Ryback elucidated that he wasn’t made privy to the match’s finish beforehand, but he did acknowledge that Punk was likely in the know.

Additionally, Ryback explained that although the general consensus was his character set to receive a huge win over the Straight Edge Superstar, plans changed and Punk — who’d been in and out of Vince McMahon’s office all day — walked away as the victor.

In case you didn’t know…

Ryback faced CM Punk in a HIAC match back in 2012 with the latter’s WWE Championship on the line.

The vast majority of professional wrestling pundits believed that Punk would lose to the Big Guy and put him over, however, Ryback was booked to lose the match and the behemoth’s push somewhat stalled in the days that followed.

The heart of the matter

Ryback reminisced about the time CM Punk threw shade at him on Colt Cabana’s podcast; adding that he doesn’t begrudge the man and he did meet Cabana in person recently, with the latter apologizing to Ryback for Punk’s comments.

Speaking of which, the Big Guy also clarified that he was considerably displeased—from a creative standpoint—with finding himself in the main event picture all of a sudden, owing to John Cena being out-of-action due to an injury.

Furthermore, Ryback continued that he had no idea who was to win the HIAC matchup, and irrespective of the outcome, he had no leverage since he was relatively new to the main event scene in WWE and couldn’t force the WWE to have himself go over Punk, stating:

"It (the loss to Punk) started that whole (downward spiral) process for me where things didn't exactly go my way. I just remember it did not feel right when they first told me what we were doing.”

“I don't know (if the plan was ever for Ryback to go over) (and) you have no way of knowing. It could have been, but things there change all the time—100% (that night should have been the night Ryback went over)."

What’s next?

Ryback presently performs on the independent professional wrestling circuit. He has stated on numerous occasions that he doesn't intend to return to WWE in the immediate future, but as the old saying goes, " Never say never in professional wrestling."

Author’s take

Ryback will most certainly go down as one of the most underrated talents in the business.

Granted that he wasn’t the greatest on the mic, but the man had the look down to a T and was a true powerhouse inside the squared circle. Here’s hoping we get to see the best of him on the indies.

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