Ryback Then and Now

Ryback Then

Ryback Allen Reeves, known by his ring name Ryback, was born on November 10, 1981, in Las Vegas, Nevada. 

His journey into the world of professional wrestling began at an early age when he developed a fascination with the sport. 

By the age of eight, Reeves was already an avid fan of professional wrestling, captivated by the larger-than-life personas and the drama of the ring. 

His passion grew stronger over the years, and at just 13 years old, he had the opportunity to be a guest bell ringer at a live World Wrestling Federation (WWF, later WWE) event. 

This experience further solidified his dream of becoming a professional wrestler.

To pursue this ambition, Reeves began lifting weights at the age of 12, dedicating himself to building the physical strength and conditioning necessary for a career in wrestling. 

His dedication to fitness and his impressive physique earned him the nickname “Silverback” during his teenage years, as a friend humorously noted his resemblance to a powerful gorilla. 

Embracing this identity, Reeves later incorporated part of this nickname into his ring name, becoming Ryback—a name that would become synonymous with his strength and intensity in the wrestling world.

Aside from wrestling, Reeves also demonstrated his athleticism in other sports during his high school years. 

He excelled in both baseball and football while attending Western High School and later Palo Verde High School in Las Vegas. 

His talent on the baseball field was evident, and he continued to pursue the sport at the collegiate level. 

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As a freshman at the Community College of Southern Nevada, Reeves played baseball until a serious injury—breaking his leg—forced him to miss two consecutive seasons. 

Despite this setback, he remained determined and focused on his goals.

Reeves later attended the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), where he enrolled in the fitness management program. 

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This academic pursuit complemented his passion for fitness and provided him with a deeper understanding of the physical and nutritional aspects of athletic performance. 

Throughout these formative years, Reeves remained dedicated to his dream of becoming a professional wrestler, using every experience and challenge as fuel for his ultimate goal of making it to the WWE. 

His perseverance and commitment to his craft would eventually pay off, leading to a successful career in the world of sports entertainment.

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Ryback Wrestling Career

Ryback Allen Reeves’ path to becoming a professional wrestler was marked by perseverance, setbacks, and ultimately, success. 

In 2004, Reeves took a pivotal step towards his dream by submitting a one-minute video to become a contestant on WWE’s reality television series, $1,000,000 Tough Enough. 

Out of thousands of hopefuls, he was one of 50 chosen to attend tryouts in Venice Beach, California. 

Despite facing adversity during the first week of training—battling bronchitis and a rib injury—he showcased his resilience and determination, making it to the final eight contestants who appeared on WWE SmackDown! 

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Although he was the last to be eliminated from the competition, his performance caught the attention of WWE officials, leading to a developmental contract offer. 

After taking time to recover from his injuries in Las Vegas, Reeves relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, in March 2005 to begin training at Deep South Wrestling (DSW), WWE’s developmental territory.

During his early career, Reeves experienced significant challenges. After training in DSW for most of 2005 and early 2006, he was transferred to Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) in March 2006. 

However, in July of that year, he faced a major setback when he was suspended for 30 days for failing a drug test under WWE’s Wellness Program. 

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According to Reeves, the positive test result was due to an over-the-counter bodybuilding supplement he was using, which was later banned for causing false positives. 

Despite this setback, Reeves remained dedicated to his wrestling career. 

After serving his suspension and passing a follow-up test, he returned to OVW and, under the ring name Ryback, captured the OVW Heavyweight Championship in October 2008, only to lose it shortly thereafter. 

This period of development was crucial in honing his in-ring abilities and character work.

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Reeves’ career took a turn when he was re-signed to a developmental contract and moved to Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW) in late 2008. 

Here, he performed under the names Ryback and later Skip Sheffield, further developing his persona. 

In February 2010, Reeves gained broader exposure when he was announced as one of the contestants in the inaugural season of WWE’s NXT, a competition-based show designed to showcase rising talent. 

Despite finishing sixth, his performance earned him a spot on WWE’s main roster as part of the faction known as The Nexus. 

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This group, which included other NXT participants, made a memorable debut by attacking WWE stars John Cena and CM Punk on an episode of WWE Raw, establishing themselves as a dominant force. 

However, Reeves’ momentum was halted in August 2010 when he suffered a severe ankle injury, necessitating three surgeries and sidelining him for over a year.

Ryback made his triumphant return to WWE television in April 2012, reviving his Ryback persona on WWE SmackDown. 

He quickly became known for his intensity and power, amassing an impressive 38-match winning streak. 

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This run propelled him into the WWE Championship picture, challenging CM Punk at the Hell in a Cell pay-per-view event in October 2012. 

Although his undefeated streak ended controversially due to interference from a rogue referee, Ryback’s popularity soared. 

He continued to pursue the championship in high-profile matches against Punk, only to be thwarted repeatedly by The Shield—a group of emerging stars who would go on to become some of WWE’s biggest names.

Despite these setbacks, Ryback remained a formidable presence in WWE. He had notable rivalries with established stars like John Cena, The Shield, and Mark Henry. 

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His feud with Henry, characterized by displays of strength and power, culminated in a match at WrestleMania 29, which saw Ryback narrowly defeated. This rivalry showcased Ryback’s resilience and determination to prove himself against WWE’s toughest competitors. 

After WrestleMania, Ryback transitioned into a storyline with Chris Jericho, which culminated in a victory at Money in the Bank in July 2013.

In the latter part of 2013, Ryback adopted a new persona as a backstage bully, targeting smaller or less experienced individuals, while avoiding confrontations with more formidable opponents. 

This character evolution added depth to his on-screen persona, making him a more complex and intriguing figure. 

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Despite these character shifts, his in-ring performances remained consistently powerful and aggressive.

Ryback’s tenure in WWE saw him achieve considerable success, including a reign as WWE Intercontinental Champion and a stint in the tag team division with Curtis Axel. 

However, by 2016, his journey with WWE came to an end, and he was released from his contract. 

Following his departure, Ryback competed on the independent circuit for two years, continuing to entertain fans with his distinctive style and persona. 

His career, marked by early struggles, injuries, and ultimately, a rise to prominence in WWE, stands as a testament to his perseverance and passion for professional wrestling.

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Ryback Wrestling Competition

• WWE Developmental Territories:
  • Deep South Wrestling (DSW)
  • Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW)
  • Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW)
• WWE Main Roster:
  • NXT Season 1 (2010)
  • WWE Raw (2010–2016)
  • WWE SmackDown (2012–2016)
• WWE Factions:
  • The Nexus (2010–2011)
  • Ryback and Curtis Axel (RybAxel) Tag Team (2013–2014)
• WWE Pay-Per-View Events:
  • SummerSlam (2010, 2012, 2013, 2014)
  • Survivor Series (2012, 2013, 2014)
  • Royal Rumble (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016)
  • WrestleMania 29 (2013)
  • Money in the Bank (2013, 2014, 2015)
  • Hell in a Cell (2012, 2013, 2015)
  • Elimination Chamber (2013, 2014, 2015)
  • Payback (2013, 2015, 2016)
  • Battleground (2013, 2015)
  • Extreme Rules (2013, 2014, 2015)
  • Night of Champions (2012, 2013, 2015)
  • TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015)
  • Fastlane (2016)
  • Over the Limit (2012)
  • No Way Out (2012)
  • WWE Main Event (2012–2016)
• Independent Circuit:
  • Various independent wrestling promotions (2016–2018)

Ryback Now

Ryback, currently 42 years old, is an American former professional wrestler and a prominent YouTuber. 

He is widely recognized for his time with WWE, where he became a fan favorite due to his intense persona and powerful in-ring style. 

Ryback Allen Reeves rose to fame in WWE under the ring name “Ryback,” often referred to as “The Big Guy.” 

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His imposing presence and catchphrase, “Feed Me More,” made him a household name among wrestling enthusiasts.

After departing WWE in 2016, Ryback transitioned to the digital world, becoming an active content creator on YouTube and a social media influencer. 

He leveraged his popularity from wrestling to build a strong online following, sharing a variety of content ranging from fitness and nutrition advice to behind-the-scenes stories from his wrestling career. 

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His YouTube channel has become a platform where he engages with his fans, offering them insights into his life post-wrestling, discussing health and wellness, and sharing his perspectives on the wrestling industry.

In addition to YouTube, Ryback is also very active on Instagram, where he regularly uploads photos and videos. 

His Instagram account has garnered over 1.6 million followers, who tune in to see his workout routines, motivational posts, and glimpses into his daily life. 

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Through his social media presence, Ryback has successfully maintained a strong connection with his fans, even after his wrestling career, and continues to inspire and entertain them through his content. 

His transition from the ring to the digital space highlights his versatility and ability to adapt, making him a multifaceted personality in the world of entertainment and fitness.

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