Ryback On Wanting To Face Samoa Joe And Finn Balor, NXT Specials On USA Network, SmackDown, More
As noted, former WWE Intercontinental Champion Ryback participated in a media conference call to promote WWE SmackDown's move to USA Network. Specifically, Ryback talked about whether we might see NXT content on USA Network and who he would like to face from the NXT roster.
When WrestlingINC.com President Raj Giri asked Ryback about the evolution of NXT since his time on the show and whether there will be NXT programming on USA Network soon, 'The Big Guy' replied that it is only a matter of time before WWE decides to put NXT programming on platforms other than WWE Network.
"What Triple H has done with NXT is absolutely incredible. Myself, personally, I've been in all the developmental systems from Deep South Wrestling to Ohio Valley Wrestling to Florida Championship Wrestling and then being a part of the initial, inaugural NXT with Daniel Bryan and guys like Wade Barrett and Heath Slater and Darren Young and guys like that. And to see the show go from that to taking WWE developmental and putting it on the map like Triple H has, it's absolutely incredible and the sky is the limit with NXT. And essentially, it is the WWE. It's a WWE brand, but we've put a different flavor on it and a different spin on it and the WWE Universe has been very receptive towards that, so with the WWE Network specials with NXT, those have been a huge hit.
"The NXT brand keeps expanding and traveling the way that they are, they're selling out every venue they go to and they've been a huge hit. I think it's only a matter of time before they decide to bring it to somewhere like the USA Network and do a television special to get even more eyes on the product because these kids down there, they can deliver, they can go, they now have eyes on them, and they have stepped up to the plate, and they're hitting home runs. So I say absolutely [NXT programming could be broadcast on television]. It's definitely something that is a possibility."
Later in the call, Ryback suggested that SmackDown could be a more wrestling focused program, which features both WWE and NXT talents. When asked with whom from NXT he would like to get in the ring, Ryback named Sami Zayn, Samoa Joe, and NXT Champion Finn Bálor.
"You look at the NXT roster and you've got guys like Sami Zayn, Samoa Joe, and Finn Bálor, the NXT Champion. I'd love to be in the ring with all three of those guys and someone like Finn Bálor, you've heard such great things about, he goes out there and delivers night in and night out. And I feel my best matches are with having that different style, having what I bring to the ring with a guy like Finn makes for some great, amazing match ups. There are still things that the WWE Universe have yet to see from me and I think having a guy like him doing such innovative, cool things and having that bring that out of me in a natural way in front of the fans, I think would make for tremendous TV."
You can check out Ryback's comments about NXT in the video above.