BANKIE'S HOT TAKE #127 - Damn That Ryan Ragnarok
Normally in the Hot Take, I talk about topics that always end with a positive outlook on professional wrestling. I try to maintain a decorum of professionalism as a writer on the World Wide Web. Kind of my thing.
This Hot Take will be none of that.
I am personally dedicating this article to that scheming backstabbing unprofessional Ryan Ragnarok.
Last week, Ragnarok committed the ultimate sin in wrestling by making it about himself, fast-counting and costing Radley Belmont the Matt Pro Wrestling Grand Championship in the middle of his legendary reign, practically handing the belt to the diabolical Mateo Marcelos.
I remember being so happy to see Raganok make a return to wrestling a year or so ago. I remember him from the New Jersey backyard wrestling scene. Our connection was, of all people, a performer named Kris Fenix. I knew Fenix as Mike Brody from the days of JXW in South River, and we bonded over that.
Then, his appearances in Matt Pro were exciting to see, as Ragnarok, seemingly, was having a blast just competing in matches. I, again, was very happy to see it.
However, his actions last week in Mantoloking, NJ were nothing more of a case of “main character syndrome”. Literally interjected him in the ending of the match, and practically handed El Pacto Diabolico the richest prize in Matt Pro.
I was absolutely furious. Just like an Angel Hernandez or CB Bucknor in baseball, Ragnarok made it about HIMSELF, not the main event, which should have just been about “the Rad Dad” and, as much as I shudder to say it, Marcelos.
Now, Matt Pro Wrestling has a champion due to controversial circumstances.
Any animosity from the die-hard Matt Pro faithful should not fall on Marcelos or even Matt Pro Promoter Ray Ray Marz.
It should all fall on referee Ryan Ragnarok.
This incident reminds me of a story that I had seen in Tamiqua, PA during an event for Elite Generation Wrestling.
There was a wrestler making his debut named the Pizza Kid. Rocking Pizza Hut employee clothing and a sweet mask, Pizza Kid was involved in a three-way match with a performer named the Gimp and a massive Greek wrestler whose name I cannot remember off hand.
Anyways, at the end of the match, Pizza, on his own volition and not because the booker told him to, took his mask off in front of the young audience and completely killed his own character. ON HIS DEBUT!
When he got back to the locker room, Pizza Kid was immediately fired. On the way home, I was told by a few of the guys in the car that he did it simply because “it was my time to shine.” That was his last road trip.
Ryan Ragnarok had his “Pizza Kid” moment. He, in the main event, wanted his time to shine. And now, Matt Pro Wrestling is in a time of uncertainty, all thanks to one referee’s actions.
What I will say is this: Ryan, you messed up. It will never be your “time to shine”. You’ve not only made enemies in the locker room, you’ve made an enemy out of the fans. Now, all eyes are on you, and they are filled with animosity.
Whatever events are on the Matt Pro schedule, I surely hope the “Rad Dad” finds you and puts you in a pretty permanent time-out. You broke wrestling etiquette in a major way.
Ryan Raganok, welcome to the spotlight. Hopefully, that spotlight heat gives you a nice sunburn.
Bankie Bruce
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