WWE Banned Zack Ryder's Internet Championship From TV Because They Thought He Was Just A Mark For Himself

Back on April 15, Zack Ryder (Matt Cardona) was released by WWE along with 34 other Superstars. This came after the wrestling behemoth announced they would be making cutbacks because of the coronavirus pandemic, despite estimates showing the company is still on course to make record profits in 2020.

Ryder recently held a Q&A on Instagram, in which he answered questions about his in-ring career in WWE and his future plans. During the Q&A, Cardona revealed he wanted to use the Internet Championship on WWE TV, but the company wouldn't allow it and they accused him of being a mark for himself.

The former Intercontinental Champion said: "So, I was presenting it to someone to, you know, to get approval to wear it on television. I was denied and I was told that I'm a mark for myself, which isn't true. But, like I said, I didn't actually think I was the Million Dollar Champion or the Internet Champion. I explained It's just like the Million Dollar Championship, right? It's an accessory. It's cool because with a gimmick and you could have sold these things. You could have made a killing selling these things, the foam, the replicas. But that did not happen. I never wore that on WWE programming, but it's in the video game. There's a t-shirt with it and my action figure but I never wore it on TV.

"I think there was some money lost, a lot of money lost, especially at that time. Like I said, replicas of the foam stuff they sell at the events, like the merchandise stuff or even, you know, Mattel, you know, toy belts, but whatever. It's definitely my most prized possession."

The Internet Championship became a popular accessory on Ryder's YouTube series Z! True Long Island Story. The show ultimately allowed Ryder to get over with WWE's fans in 2011 and he went on to capture the United States Championship at TLC 2011.

H/T: Fightful