Joey Ryan Has a Lot to Say About Joining WWE
Imagine Joey Ryan – the man known throughout independent wrestling for the strength of a certain male organ – in the WWE?
The 37-year-old Ryan is a potential free agent depending on the future of Lucha Underground, but the creator of the “Penis Plex” conducts himself in the wrestling business with a style, flair, and persona that may be a bit too adult for WWE.
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“That just makes me want to turn up the volume even more,” said Ryan. “That leaves more doors open for me. It’s now become profitable to become an independent wrestler, and I’m doing fairly well. I’m proud of my accomplishments and the money I’m making.”
If WWE did approach Ryan after his Lucha Underground contract expires, it would be interesting to see if they could negotiate a deal where Ryan would be monetarily compensated similarly to what he currently earns on the indies.
“Right now, I know I’m making above average WWE money, and I’m making my own rules and setting my own schedule,” said Ryan. “That’s if they were to approach me; if they don’t approach, then that’s OK, too.”
Given the opportunity to wrestle in a WWE, using his current array of moves, Ryan would use his adult-oriented finisher on WWE CEO Vince McMahon.
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“If Vince is still taking headbutts, then he could definitely take this, too,” said Ryan. “But in the PG-era of WWE, I don’t think the Joey Ryan character would be doing anything with the penis in WWE. The super, powerful penis would not be part of his repertoire in WWE. I don’t think that’s the place for it.”
As absurd as the move looks, and despite the criticism he has received for using it, Ryan has created a maneuver that crowds are excited to see.
“I found what Scotty Too Hotty found in the worm, or The Rock found, on a much larger scale, with the People’s Elbow, which is something that people who go to watch me wrestle are expecting and want to see,” explained Ryan. “I gear my matches and personality to pay off toward that magic moment. It’s unique, it’s mine, and it’s something people expect. It gives me more of an advantage creatively than someone who does is trying to win an audience over.”
Ryan is no longer under contract to the YouPorn pornography company, but still makes the occasional appearance.
“I’m not on a retainer any more, but they still use me for promotion and advertising,” said Ryan. “I dated a porn star for two years before I got in a relationship with my wife, so I got very familiar with the industry during that relationship.”
The itinerary for Ryan’s upcoming shows in the next month include Bar Wrestling in Los Angeles, Wrestle Circus in Texas, back to LA for Lucha Va Voom, as well as shows in Idaho, Iowa, and Gainesville, Florida.
The indies are thriving, with WWE even acknowledging and sometimes even championing their existence, and Ryan is an integral piece of the scene.
“I wouldn’t mind starting my own 21-0 WrestleMania streak,” said Ryan. “But fingers crossed, I’d love to see Lucha Underground have a season four. Lucha Underground has the right to pick up my contract, and I would love to be a part of it. Opportunities come my way, and I try to make the best of them.”
Justin Barrasso can be reached at JBarrasso@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @JustinBarrasso.
