A listener writes into the show and asks Ryback what he would have changed about his year in WWE in 2012. He says he wouldn’t change much, but when he was first elevated to the main event scene he doesn’t think he should have lost to CM Punk. He doesn’t think he should have been put in that position given the momentum he had, and continued to have for several months after that loss. He thought they had lightning in a bottle, and WWE decided to pull off the cap and let it out.

Another listener writes into the show and asks Ryback if he thinks there’s a disconnect between what WWE fans want from the product, and what WWE needs to do as a business to make money. Ryback points out that WWE can’t please everyone, and people need to enjoy it for what it is. There’s no need to bitch about the winners of fake fights.

He goes on to say that WWE knows what they’re doing. Every time a certain performer gets really hot or really cold, it’s all part of WWE’s plan. If you’re overanalyzing this product and complaining about the results, your life probably isn’t where it needs to be.

Ryback comments on the fact that Hornswoggle was apparently never officially eliminated from the Greatest Royal Rumble match. He says he would pay to see Hornswoggle versus Braun Strowman. He adds that he loves Hornswoggle, and he was happy to see him make a return to WWE in that match.

He recalls Daniel Bryan and William Regal training Hornswoggle during his WWE run. Hornswoggle has always struggled with his weight and Bryan & Regal wanted him to live a long life for his son. Ryback would often stumble into a room during television tapings or at house shows and Bryan & Regal would be putting Hornswoggle through the paces, with sweat all over the floor. Moments like that he realized that the wrestling business is a very unique world.

Ryback comments on the upcoming 1000th episode of Smackdown, which will air on Tuesday, October 16th. He points out that the years continue to fly by, and he credits WWE for their success over the last two decades. He adds that it’s very difficult to stay on television for that amount of time, and WWE has found a way to do it with two shows. He’s sure WWE will make a big deal out of this anniversary, much like they did with the 1000th episode of RAW and the recent RAW25 episode.

Ryback says he’s never seen anything like Daniel Bryan’s chest after he and Roderick Strong had a chop-off during the Greatest Royal Rumble match. He’s unsure if that was a result of Bryan not working much over the last couple of years and his body not being used to the punishment but in either event, his chest was pretty torn up after that match.

Ryback comments on the talent turnover in NXT. He points out that over the last 4-5 years the brand has been able to manufacture main roster talent, while replacing the outgoing talent with fresh new faces that ultimately lead the brand into a new era. He points out that they have great trainers there like Shawn Michaels, who kids can learn from every day of the week. He thinks the NXT brand is going to continue to evolve and get better.

Ryback notes that WWE has started to market multivitamins for children, and Dolph Ziggler is one of the featured performers for this marketing. He points out that WWE always takes care of Ziggler with these outside deals and opportunities. He recently had a great deal with Cricket Wireless, and now he’s being utilized again here. Ziggler mightn’t always be used in the greatest capacity on WWE television, but he makes good money.

Hulk Hogan was inducted into the Boys and Girls Club of America’s alumni Hall of Fame this past week, and Ryback was happy to see this. He points out that ever since Hogan was let go by WWE a few years go he’s said all the right things, and he thinks it’s only a matter of time before we see Hogan in WWE again.

Ryback points out that Chris Jericho appears to be heading back to NJPW for a match with Naito, after showing up at a recent NJPW show and causing a fuss. Ryback says that Jericho was always kind to him and it’s very impressive how Jericho has seemingly succeeded at everything he’s done.

That sums up today’s episode of Conversation With the Big Guy. You can listen to the show yourself anytime here, and I’ll catch ya next week for another recap!