Zack Ryder's Lost Fate: The Hidden History of Nexus

The tragic story of Zack Rider in WWE

We know that in World Wrestling Entertainment, plans change, and that goes back to the company's inception. There are truly many important events that have happened to wrestlers who were initially predetermined to do something or perform a certain function.

Such is the case of Zack Rider, who is now known on the independent circuit as Matt Cardona. The latter was planned to be the leader of one of the greatest stables of all time.

---

Nexus and the role Zack Rider could have played

a well-remembered stable that had a unique impact at the time. That's right, I'm talking about the Nexus: Zack Rider was going to be its leader. We know that this stable had a great moment in the company, and having Rider as its leader would have meant something quite significant for the wrestler at the time.

Obviously, this could have changed Rider's course within the company, because it's very likely that he would have a more successful career within it after that. Even when the stable dissolved, he was ultimately going to gain significant prominence and showcase his true skills, having the time and opportunity to basically be a star.

Because Nexus was a star during his time in WWE: everything important had to do with them, and if it didn't have to do with them, they just got involved.

---

The Revelation in an Interview

During an interview on the Real Long Island Podcast—and this is where the interesting part comes in—Matt Cardona revealed that the plans were for him to be the leader of the aforementioned group. But along the way, the idea was rejected, and the team we all remember was formed.

---

The Beginnings of the Story That Never Was

Basically, the story was going to be that Ryder would start by seducing Devy Otunga and Michael Mela (or Siso, to those who know him better) to become the leader of the Nexus. Something that could even be seen in some clues.

However, weeks passed, and Rider received nothing from the creatives: no written communication, no verbal communication. In short, they didn't tell him anything. But he didn't ask what was next with that storyline either and simply settled for being on the show. The storyline was forgotten.

---

The Forgotten Script

Some time later, and this is where the tragedy comes in, Cardona says he found a script that said he would become the leader of the Nexus. Not that he would become one, but that it was already specified in the script: he was the leader of the Nexus. Wow, incredible!

However, despite this being in the script within WWE, no one told the wrestler that. Much less at the moment when everything was happening, when Nexus was really something important.

---

What Could Have Been

This could have meant greatness in Rider's WWE career, because regardless of what happened with the group, the wrestler was going to have a great reputation, and everything could have gone in a very different direction. But sometimes in life, you're so close and yet so far away.

Rider is undoubtedly a tremendous talent, and he proves it on the independent circuit, but we'll never know how things would have turned out if Zack Rider had been placed in the Nexus stable.

It could have sent everyone involved in a totally different direction, not just himself but all of his teammates. He could even have seen himself travel to a different level on WWE's all-time list.

---

The Conclusion

Unfortunately, that didn't happen. In any case, now you know about another interesting plan that never came to fruition, simply joining the countless ideas that never saw the light of day.