In 2013, Ricky Saints worked as an extra in WWE, an experience marked by a memorable encounter with Ryback that fueled his determination to rise in the wrestling world. During an episode of Raw aired on July 29, Saints was on the receiving end of several slaps from Ryback, including one with a tuna fish, before being slammed through a table. Saints did not anticipate these attacks, but the incident left a lasting impression and motivated him to return to WWE as a more prominent performer.
He later spoke about this period in an interview with The Battleground Podcast, describing how these moments and setbacks, like missing out on a WWE tryout, became pivotal in his pursuit of a wrestling career. Saints also shared insights into his close relationship with Cody Rhodes and the mentorship Rhodes has provided throughout his journey.
The Impact of Cody Rhodes’ Guidance on Saints’ Career Growth
Saints described his friendship with Cody Rhodes as highly valuable, highlighting how Rhodes supports him in navigating professional challenges with insightful advice.
“Well, the friendship in itself is great. Because you know, I don’t know if he sees a younger kid [of himself] in me when he was first starting out. I don’t know. I would think so, but I really don’t know. But he’s great in the fact that there are there are things that I’m figuring out on my own. And there are there are little pockets that I kind of miss, right? And he is great at identifying those pockets and giving me words of wisdom that allow me to ultimately guide myself to what it is that I should be learning or figuring out. He’s really, really good at that. He’s really good at giving you a perspective and you ultimately being like, ‘Oh, okay. I get it now.’”
Saints emphasized how Rhodes’ mentorship extends beyond wrestling, covering life and personal development.
“It’s so undervalued in that sense. Because you’re usually used to people like physically showing you this or doing that, right? And since we don’t live very close to each other, it’s hard. So when we do have these moments where we do see each other and we we talk, the conversations are in-depth. They have such a deep magnitude to them of like, life and outside of wrestling, you know what I’m saying? Like just, it covers all of it. So, he’s been very impactful in my career and in my life too, personally and professionally. So, I can’t really thank him [enough] on that.”
Moments as an Extra That Fueled Saints’ Ambitions to Return Bigger
Reflecting on his early WWE appearances, Saints identified certain experiences with Ryback and missed opportunities that intensified his resolve to make it as a signed WWE star.
“Oh my gosh. I really think it was I got put through a table by Ryback. I’m telling you, I had to do that stuff three times. I think that wasn’t like the ‘for sure moment,’ because I was back there thereafter. But that was a moment where I go, ‘Wow, this will be the funniest story when I come back here and take over.’”
He also recalled a significant disappointment when he was not invited to a WWE tryout, which further motivated him.
“I had another thought about that, when I didn’t get called for the tryout. And then I think when I didn’t get called for the try out, I may have had one match after that, and it was a tag match with Aaron Solo on Raw. And I do remember that being a situation where I drove home and I was like, ‘The next time I come, that’s it. The next time I come back here, I’ll be signed here.’ And that may have been the last time I ever did anything extra-wise. You know, there’s people who can look that up. But yeah, that was like the two moments. The Ryback one for sure, though when I’m getting tuna slapped in my face. I said, ‘Yeah, when I come back, it’s going to be over for y’all.’”
Why These Experiences Are a Turning Point for Saints’ WWE Future
These early challenges and interactions in WWE deeply influenced Ricky Saints’ mindset and career goals. The tuna slap incident with Ryback and the sting of a missed tryout became motivating stories that reaffirmed his commitment to return to the company as a signed talent rather than remain an extra. Saints’ connection to Cody Rhodes and the guidance Rhodes has offered throughout this journey have provided him with both perspective and practical support. This mentorship is significant because it helps Saints refine his career approach while balancing personal and professional growth. The impact of these experiences suggests Saints is actively preparing for a larger breakthrough in WWE, driven by lessons learned in the past and the backing of an established mentor.
