Hubbry Logo
Hype BrosHype BrosMain
Open search
Hype Bros
Community hub
Hype Bros
logo
7 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Hype Bros
Hype Bros
Hype Bros
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

The Hype Bros was an American professional wrestling tag team which performed in WWE on its SmackDown brand. The team, composed of Zack Ryder and Mojo Rawley, was formed in June 2015 on the development territory, NXT.

Key Information

History

[edit]

NXT (2015–2016)

[edit]

In June 2015, Zack Ryder debuted in NXT, forming an alliance with Mojo Rawley, dubbing the Hype Bros.[1] On the October 16 episode of NXT, The Hype Bros competed in a match for the NXT Tag Team Championship in a losing effort.

SmackDown (2016–2017)

[edit]

In the WWE Draft on 19 July 2016, Rawley was drafted to SmackDown. At Battleground, Rawley saved Ryder from a post-match beating by WWE United States Champion Rusev, officially uniting the Hype Bros on the main roster.[2] The Hype Bros entered the WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship tournament, defeating The Vaudevillains in the first round before losing to Heath Slater and Rhyno in the semi-finals. On the October 25 episode of SmackDown, The Hype Bros defeated The Ascension to qualify as part of Team SmackDown for the 10–on–10 Survivor Series Tag Team Elimination match at Survivor Series in a losing effort. The Hype Bros were eliminated earlier within 5 minutes when Ryder was pinned following a Magic Killer from Gallows and Anderson.[3]

On the December 13 episode of SmackDown, The Hype Bros competed in a tag-team battle royal to determine the #1 contenders for the WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship. Despite Rawley being eliminated, Ryder would go on to win the battle royal for his team and become the #1 contenders. However, during the match, Ryder injured his knee and was seen using crutches backstage.[4] It was later reported that Ryder would be out of action for 4–9 months.

After six months of inactivity, Ryder returned on the June 13 episode of SmackDown, reuniting with Rawley. The Hype Bros would have an opportunity to become number one contenders for the SmackDown Tag Team championship at the June 27 episode of SmackDown in a match against champions The Usos, in which they were defeated.

Throughout the next few weeks on SmackDown, Ryder and Rawley would shown signs of dissension as Rawley would constantly tag himself into matches, which ultimately caused them to lose when they began arguing. On the October 10 episode of SmackDown, The Hype Bros faced Benjamin and Gable, Breezango (Tyler Breeze and Fandango), and The Ascension (Konnor and Viktor) in a fatal four-way match to determine the number one contenders for The Usos' SmackDown Tag Team Championship, in which The Hype Bros were unable to win.

On the November 28 episode of SmackDown, after losing a tag team match to The Bludgeon Brothers, Rawley attacked Ryder, thus turning heel and disbanding The Hype Bros. They faced each other on Clash of Champions pre-show, with Rawley coming out victorious. The two then faced each other in the United States championship tournament with Rawley being victorious.

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Hype Bros

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The Hype Bros were a in , consisting of Zack Ryder and , active primarily on the NXT and SmackDown brands from 2015 to 2017. Known for their high-energy style and enthusiastic personas, the duo emphasized positivity and crowd interaction, often entering arenas to their theme song "Stay Hype, Bro." Formed in WWE's NXT developmental territory, the Hype Bros quickly established themselves as a competitive force in the division, leveraging Ryder's experience as a former Champion and Rawley's athletic background from . They transitioned to the main roster on SmackDown in 2016, participating in high-profile and multi-team matches, including the SmackDown Tag Team Championship and events like and Money in the Bank. Despite challenging for the SmackDown Tag Team Titles against teams such as , they never captured championship gold, enduring a notable losing streak in late 2017. The partnership dissolved in November 2017 following a defeat to The Bludgeon Brothers on SmackDown LIVE, when Rawley turned on Ryder in a backstage attack, shifting his focus to a singles career. This betrayal marked the end of the Hype Bros era, though the team remains remembered for injecting infectious energy into 's tag division during their tenure.

Members

Zack Ryder

Matthew Brett Cardona, better known by the Zack Ryder, was born on May 14, 1985, in . He began his professional wrestling career in 2004 on the independent circuit, initially teaming with as the Major Brothers. Cardona signed a developmental contract with in 2006 and was assigned to its developmental territory, debuting on the ECW brand in 2007. Throughout his early WWE tenure, Ryder competed across the ECW, Raw, and SmackDown brands, often as an enhancement talent or midcard competitor. He achieved his first major singles success by winning the WWE United States Championship in December 2011, defeating Dolph Ziggler at TLC. Ryder became renowned for his energetic "Woo! Woo! Woo!" catchphrase and self-produced YouTube web series Z! True Long Island Story, which debuted in February 2011 and cultivated a dedicated online fanbase despite limited television exposure. After years of underutilization on the main roster, he transitioned to WWE's NXT brand in mid-2015 to revitalize his career. In NXT, Ryder partnered with Mojo Rawley to form the Hype Bros tag team, where he served as the primary and high-flyer, delivering most of the aerial maneuvers like dropkicks and crossbodies while using his and skills to rally crowd energy and promote the duo's upbeat persona. Billed at 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) and 224 lb (102 kg), Ryder's athleticism complemented Rawley's power style, emphasizing speed and showmanship in their matches. In November 2025, Cardona returned to WWE for a one-off appearance as Zack Ryder on the November 14 episode of SmackDown, though he is not signed to a contract.

Mojo Rawley

Dean Muhtadi, better known by his ring name , was born on July 17, 1986, in . As a standout in high school and , Muhtadi played defensive line for the from 2007 to 2008, where he appeared in 19 games and started three, after playing at from 2004 to 2005 and redshirting his 2006 season at . After going undrafted in the , he signed with the as a and spent the early part of his professional football career on practice squads for the Packers, , and between 2009 and 2011, while also interning as a with the Cardinals. Transitioning from football, Muhtadi signed a developmental contract with in 2012 and trained at the in . He made his in-ring debut that year in (FCW), WWE's then-developmental territory, before the brand evolved into NXT. In NXT, Rawley competed as a solo wrestler, adopting a high-energy "hype-man" characterized by constant enthusiasm, motivational catchphrases like "I don't get hyped, I stay hyped," and an emphasis on physical strength and positive mindset. During this period, he faced opponents in singles matches and battle royals but did not capture any major championships, positioning him as an emerging talent focused on building momentum through athletic displays. Standing at 6 ft 4 in (193 cm) and weighing 271 lb (123 kg), Rawley brought imposing physicality to the Hype Bros , serving as the enforcer and foundational base for maneuvers. His role emphasized raw power moves and relentless energy, providing a grounded, motivational counterpoint to his partner's more flamboyant style, which enhanced the duo's dynamic appeal.

NXT (2015–2016)

Following Zack Ryder's return to NXT in mid-2015, he formed an alliance with the established NXT wrestler , dubbing themselves the Hype Bros to emphasize their high-energy persona. The duo officially debuted as a on the June 10, 2015, episode of NXT, defeating local competitors Elias Samson and Mike Rallis in a squash match that showcased their fast-paced offense and crowd-engaging style. This partnership quickly established them as enthusiastic underdogs, with Rawley's raw power complementing Ryder's technical agility and charisma. The Hype Bros built momentum through a series of victories in early tag team matches, including wins over midcard teams like The Ascension at house shows, while developing their signature "Hype Train" to rally audiences during entrances and in-ring segments. They entered the 2015 , advancing from the first round by defeating Alexander Wolfe and Noah Kekoa in a .com exclusive match on , 2015. However, they were eliminated in the quarterfinals on the September 30 episode of NXT by the amateur wrestling duo of and , who submitted to advance. On October 16, 2015, at an NXT live event in , the Hype Bros received their first title opportunity, challenging NXT Tag Team Champions in a triple threat match that also featured Blake and , but lost via pinfall when English pinned Murphy. Throughout their NXT tenure from mid-2015 to early 2016, they competed regularly on television—such as a February 3, 2016, loss to —and at numerous house shows, solidifying their status as fan-favorite entertainers through relentless positivity and interactive performances without capturing any championships. Their developmental run concluded with a May 4, 2016, NXT television match against The Revival, setting the stage for their impending main roster transition later that year.

SmackDown (2016–2017)

Following the on July 19, was selected for the SmackDown brand, reuniting him with partner , who had previously been assigned to the show. made their official on-screen debut as a unit at on July 24, when Rawley intervened to save Ryder from a post-match by Rusev after Ryder's unsuccessful challenge. Their first competitive match came on the August 30 episode of SmackDown, where they defeated in the opening round of the SmackDown tournament to crown new champions for the brand. Advancing to the semifinals, the Hype Bros fell to and on the September 6 episode, ending their tournament run. Throughout late 2016, they secured several non-title victories, including a win over The Ascension on December 6, establishing momentum in the division. The Hype Bros represented Team SmackDown at on November 20 in a 10-on-10 elimination match against Team Raw, but both members were eliminated early when pinned Ryder with a Magic Killer from Luke Gallows and Anderson. Their momentum halted abruptly on the December 13 episode of SmackDown during a No. 1 Contenders' for a shot at the SmackDown Tag Team Championship; although they emerged victorious against teams including and Breezango, Ryder suffered a severe left injury while attempting his Rough Ryder finisher on . evaluation revealed a possible patella dislocation, leading to and an extended absence of several months for Ryder, forcing Rawley to compete solo in the interim. Ryder made his return on the June 13, 2017 episode of SmackDown, immediately reuniting with Rawley to reform the Hype Bros and boost the latter's spirits after a string of losses. The partnership began to fray amid mounting frustrations, particularly as they vied for opportunities in the United States Championship tournament later that year, with losses highlighting internal discord. Tensions escalated following a defeat to the Bludgeon Brothers on the episode of SmackDown, which led to a heated backstage argument. Their final match as a team came on the November 28 episode against the Bludgeon Brothers, ending in another loss, after which, during a backstage , Rawley turned by attacking Ryder and declaring the Hype Bros finished, shifting to a solo antagonist role.

In wrestling

Moveset

The Hype Bros employed a high-energy, athletic style in the ring that blended Zack Ryder's agile, high-flying offense with Mojo Rawley's raw power, often incorporating rapid tags and interactive spots to energize crowds during matches. Signature moves for the team included Ryder's Broski Boot, a running delivered to a cornered opponent, which could be enhanced in tag scenarios. They also used an assisted variation of the Broski Boot, where Rawley launches Ryder toward the opponent for the . Rawley contributed power-based signatures like the Alabama Slam, a sitout that transitioned opponents into vulnerable positions for follow-up attacks. The team's primary tag team finisher was the Hype Ryder, executed as a coordinated double-team combination where Rawley performs a spinebuster on the opponent while delivers a diving leg lariat for the pin attempt. These maneuvers were staples across their NXT and SmackDown appearances, effectively countering technical opponents such as by disrupting methodical pacing with explosive bursts.

Entrance themes

The Hype Bros used a custom entrance theme titled "Stay Hype, Bro," produced in-house by WWE's music team CFO$. The track, which was used from their NXT debut in June 2015 and officially released as a single in October 2015, incorporated pulsating electronic beats, crowd chant samples, and motivational phrases to encapsulate the team's "" gimmick. Lyrics emphasized relentless positivity with lines like "We don't get hype, we stay hype" and integrated Ryder's signature "Woo! Woo! Woo!" calls alongside Rawley's booming hype declarations, fostering an interactive auditory experience. This theme remained consistent throughout the team's run, playing for all joint entrances from their NXT debut in June 2015 through their final match in November 2017. It effectively amplified crowd engagement by encouraging audience participation in the chants, reinforcing the Hype Bros' appeal and optimistic vibe without alterations after its adoption. The music's energetic structure, blending hip-hop influences with rock elements, became a staple of their branding, symbolizing unyielding enthusiasm in both developmental and main roster appearances. Occasional variations included remixed versions of "Stay Hype, Bro" for premium live events, such as an amped-up iteration at Survivor Series 2016, which heightened the track's intensity with added percussion and vocal overlays to match the pay-per-view's high-stakes atmosphere.

References

  1. https://www.wwe.com/superstars/mojo-rawley
  2. https://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/2016-08-30/gallery/hype-bros-vaudevillains-photos
  3. https://www.wwe.com/shows/moneyinthebank/2017/hype-bros-colons-results
  4. https://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/2017-08-22/article/the-usos-def-the-hype-bros
  5. https://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/2017-09-19/gallery/the-new-day-vs-the-hype-bros-photos
  6. https://www.thesmackdownhotel.com/wrestlers/zack-ryder
  7. https://puroresusystem.fandom.com/wiki/Matt_Cardona
  8. https://www.wwe.com/videos/zack-ryder-wins-the-united-states-championship-wwe-tlc-december-18-2011
  9. https://www.wwe.com/superstars/zack-ryder
  10. https://www.espn.com/wwe/story/_/id/17173989/wwe-profile-page-zack-ryder
  11. https://www.ringsidenews.com/zack-ryders-current-wwe-status-revealed-smackdown-return/
  12. https://www.espn.com/wwe/story/_/id/17173831/wwe-profile-page-mojo-rawley
  13. https://umterps.com/sports/football/roster/dean-muhtadi/4357
  14. https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2709767-before-wwe-mojo-rawley-was-the-most-hyped-man-on-the-football-field
  15. https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/2010/07/20/muhtadi-works-his-way-up/dcf82854-cc09-4bc1-a6d2-e11eacbba459/
  16. https://www.wrestlinginc.com/1742451/fka-mojo-rawley-details-road-wwe/
  17. https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwenxt/2013-10-16/mojo-rawley
  18. https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=12415
  19. https://gerweck.net/2015/07/14/mojo-rawley/
  20. https://www.thesportster.com/facts-trivia-things-wwe-mojo-rawley/
  21. https://www.wwe.com/videos/zack-ryder-mojo-rawley-are-hyped-after-their-debut-as-a-tag-team-wwe-com-exclusive-june-10-2015
  22. https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwenxt/2015-06-10/wwe-nxt-results-2015-06-10
  23. https://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profile/the-hype-bros/
  24. https://www.wwe.com/videos/the-hype-bros-vs-alexander-wolfe-noah-kekoa-dusty-rhodes-tag-team-classic-first-round-match-wwe-com-exclusive-sept-9-2015
  25. https://www.wwe.com/videos/highlights-from-the-hype-bros-vs-jason-jordan-chad-gable-dusty-rhodes-tag-team-classic-quarterfinal-match-wwe-nxt-september-30-2015
  26. https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwenxt/2016-05-04/article/revival-hype-bros-results
  27. https://www.wrestlerant.com/columnist-corner/wwe-draft-2016-full-results-and-analysis
  28. https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2653060-rusev-vs-zack-ryder-winner-and-reaction-from-wwe-battleground-2016
  29. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYAvStX3NA4
  30. https://www.wwe.com/videos/heath-slater-rhyno-vs-hype-bros-smackdown-live-6-september-2016
  31. https://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/2016-12-06/article/the-hype-bros-def-the-ascension
  32. https://www.espn.com/wwe/story/_/id/18099019/wwe-survivor-series-match-recaps-ratings
  33. https://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/2016-12-13/article/ryder-suffers-knee-injury
  34. https://www.espn.com/wwe/story/_/id/18275414/wwe-zack-ryder-injures-knee-no-1-contenders-battle-royal-smackdown-live
  35. https://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/2017-06-13/article/zack-ryder-returned-to-smackdown-live
  36. https://aiptcomics.com/2017/12/28/wwe-united-states-championship-tournament-bracket-announced/
  37. https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2746524-wwe-smackdown-results-winners-grades-reaction-and-highlights-from-november-28
  38. https://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/2017-11-21/article/the-bludgeon-brothers-def-the-hype-bros
  39. https://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/2017-11-28/article/the-bludgeon-brothers-def-the-hype-bros
  40. https://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/2016-08-30/article/the-hype-bros-def-the-vaudevillains
  41. https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2615697-wwe-nxt-results-winners-grades-reaction-and-highlights-from-february-10
  42. https://www.espn.com/wwe/story/_/id/17524967/backlash-match-recaps-ratings-wwe
  43. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLrqOnRhfjA
  44. https://open.spotify.com/track/5jBWiGPCTNLFX9RsFqa3lt
  45. https://genius.com/Cfo-stay-hype-bro-lyrics
  46. https://www.wwe.com/videos/hype-bros-entrance-video
  47. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DO0PjVKl_pc
  48. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ab7srxRKais
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.