Conversation with the Big Guy

For a few years, I co-wrote a weekly wrestling news column for Critical Blast. I was happy to use that platform to shine a spotlight on the local New Jersey independent wrestling scene, including WrestlePro, which was owned by Pat Buck. Pat worked for WWE for a few years and currently works for AEW, he's a hell of a talented wrestler and trainer.

​When Ryback started his podcast, Conversations with the Big Guy, Pat was his co-host. A few episodes into the show, they posted an announcement on social media that they were looking for writers to help out with researching and summarizing wrestling news items they could talk about on the podcast. ​Pat knew my writing, and they immediately hired me. There was a second applicant named Gary who, as far as I knew, never actually turned in any work, so he was fired. But Ryback nicknamed me "Ace" because of the name Gary (as a huge fan of Stephen Colbert, I took zero offense to being named after The Ambiguously Gay Duo). Even after Gary was gone, Ryback still called me his "Main Man Ace," which I still use as my handle on a few internet games.

Pay and Ryback liked my work a lot. I liked doing it because it was rare at that time to hear active wrestlers talking about current wrestling news. Oddly enough, I only wrote for the two of them together for two or three shows. There was a falling out, and I ended up writing wrestling news for two separate podcasts: The Pat Buck WrestlePro Podcast and Conversations with the Big Guy.

​Ryback ended up hiring Phoenix Marie as his new co-host. Yes, that Phoenix Marie. It’s fun to tell people, "For a year, I worked on a podcast with a WWE wrestler and an adult film star," but honestly, it was all pretty wholesome and not as scandalous as it might sound. Phoenix was an absolute sweetheart and, surprisingly, a bit of a geek.

​As for the Big Guy himself, I want to be very clear: this isn't a tell-all or a hatchet job. Ryback has a pretty bad reputation among a select group of wrestling”fans” who think they understand the wresling business more than they actually do. I like to think from this website, it’s clear that is not the type of person I am. I talk about things I enjoy and that inspire me. Life it way to short to dwell on negatives and things I don’t enjoy.

During the year I worked with him, Ryback was always cool and fun to talk to. He never treated me like an annoying fanboy (even though I definitely was at times). When my dad passed away, Ryback gave him a beautiful tribute on the podcast. When I was dealing with some health issues, Ryback helped me get my workout routines in order, including taking calls from me at all hours just for gym advice. Since working with him, I’ve gotten much healthier, and there is no doubt I’ll be around for my kids for a long time, in no small part because of the time Ryback made for me.

​Phoenix immediately realized she didn't like talking about wrestling news, so they invited me to be on-air talent for the wrestling news segments. It wasn't something I was particularly good at… I talk way too fast and softly… but they were both extremely encouraging, and I am proud of the work I did on the show. I think Ryback enjoyed having a fan perspective, especially since I tend to be pretty positive. I also think he had a lot of fun giving me a peek behind the curtain. There is one story he told me about one of my favorite wrestlers that I still think about and laugh about often. I don't remember if we actually aired it, so I won't share it here… sorry! Like I said, this isn’t that type of website.

​Ryback was in Vegas at the time, so we often recorded at midnight my time. We did one episode the night of WrestleMania, which ended well after midnight. I was absolutely exhausted, but we wanted the commentary to be as fresh as possible, and it was by far the best work I ever did. I should have done more podcasts that tired… I felt far less rehearsed and practiced, and it truly felt like a conversation with the Big Guy.

​Over time, the format of the show shifted a bit, and Ryback seemed to want to move away from talking as much about wrestling, so we parted ways amicably… at least, I thought we did. I realized a while later he had blocked me on social media, but I have no idea why, and I had moved on, so I doubt I will ever know what happened there.

One last note: I actually had Ryback’s cell phone number for a while. I was always weirdly paranoid about losing my phone and having someone find his personal number, so I saved him in my contacts under his real name: Ryan. I know that was probably an irrational fear, but I took having someone’s personal number seriously.

When I realized he had blocked me on social media, though, I deleted the number. It just felt like something I shouldn’t have anymore. And, honestly, deleting it also guaranteed that I would never have the temptation to call him and ask, “Dude, what the hell happened?”

​But it was still an amazing experience that really pushed me outside my comfort zone, and I am pretty proud of it. If nothing else, it makes a fun story to share.