A preacher, a reverend and a man who has pinned the legend Matt Hardy…
AEW Dark welcomed Ryzin not that long ago and he’s known in the fanbase as one of the most intriguing wrestlers they can expect to see on Dark already.
Due to the fantastically insane look Ryzin has, others and myself find ourselves curious about what this guy is all about. What’s his story and where would he like the next chapter to go?
I had a great opportunity to ask the good reverend some questions and some of his answers certainly explain a little more about the evil being known as Ryzin.
Here’s what the reverend himself had to say:
I’d love to know when it was you started wrestling and who inspired you to do it?
Ryzin:
I was a lifelong fan. The earliest childhood memories even are me in a crib watching wrestling on TV. The flashy bravado of the most colorful wrestlers of the late 80s captivated my attention! It has been a passion, an obsession. It is all I have ever wanted or desired to do with my life.
When did the demonic reverend, Ryzin, come into existence? Was it on Free The Delete or before then?
Ryzin:
The Reverend has been an ever evolving persona. When Ryzin relocated from Colorado to Florida as the “Denver Daredevil” he needed a new moniker and desired a new look and character. Ryzin, a fan of horror and the occult began to mold this character of a possessed being… a man with the “devil” inside, but psychology wise Ryzin shifted gears as he wanted to stay away from being supernatural or invincible (IE: Undertaker) but instead focused on the obscure niche occult, gothic, satanic-esque audience, by touting himself as a Reverend of SIN. As to attract those devoted to similar lifestyles those fans who might fully embrace my vision. With Matt Hardy’s #FreeTheDELETE series the dumping of “Rob Ryzin” into the R.O.A.R (Reservoir Of Altering Rebirth) by WOKEN Matt Hardy was more of a “coming out party” for the Reverend in his final form.
What’s your goals moving forward once a bit more normality has been restored to the world? Tour the indies and hopefully continue with AEW in some capacity?
Ryzin:
The ultimate goal is to continue to spread my wicked gospel on the television screen… I feel the best way to do that is to continue to work with All Elite Wrestling full-time. AEW feels like home to me. I have never felt more more committed and confident in a company and feel “blessed” for the opportunities I’ve had thus far in this company and have such sights to continue to show the fans of AEW. Until then, and even depending on the structure of the deal I would love to continue to wrestle the independents. Grow the RYZIN awareness and tell compelling stories for these companies when fans return. I love my congregation (what I call my fans) and want to meet as many of them and perform for them along my journey.
Who would be your top 3 dream opponents in the world of pro wrestling right now to have a match with?
Ryzin:
This is a very hard question for me… I will say that my dream isnt specific to “who” but, I want to tell compelling stories in EVERY match. I want to work anyone and everyone to create memories for the fans. From Dr. Luther to Chris Jericho and everyone inbetween I have such creativity and can expand it to every opponent and matchup.
And finally; On AEW programming, do you believe there’s a chance of having the Free The Delete rematch, Ryzin vs Broken Matt Hardy?
Ryzin:
I will say that Matt Hardy and I are now forever linked through our past and the series itself. We are friends, we are foes. I’ve helped him when needed and I have battled him when needed. In the end of the series Hardy was inhabited by Damascus a more sinister vessel and he summoned Ryzin back to the compound where he eventually extracted a part, an “essence” of Ryzin before leaving him lay waste and going to Arcadia which was AEW. It all exists in the same universe. Also, with already a teaser appearance in BTE (Being The Elite) and Matt Hardy’s other new project the “Multiverse” of Matt Hardy it would seem INEVITABLE that we will continue to cross paths and eventually cross paths under the AEW banner… now whether as adversaries or allies will remain to be seen.
I hope we continue to see Ryzin get chances on platforms like AEW, he’s solid in the ring and catches your attention when you look at him.
Ryzin has a singles match tonight on AEW Dark against Frankie Kazarian, 19:00 ET.
Let’s see him win some matches in the future!
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