Rumor: Forgotten Sons Gimmick and Future as a Group Questionable

The future of the Forgotten Sons’ gimmick and status as a group in WWE is currently rumored to be questionable after a tweet sent by Jaxson Ryker earlier in the week generated a huge level of backlash within WWE, with Ryker’s stable mates also distancing themselves from his views.

After President Trump threatened to shoot looters, then ordered law enforcement on June 1st to tear gas peaceful protesters in Washington, DC in order to clear out the location near a church for his photo op that day, Ryker tweeted:

Thankful for the @POTUS we have! God bless America. Built of freedom. Forgotten No More

— Jaxson Ryker (@JaxsonRykerWWE) June 1, 2020

Two other past instances of Ryker posting controversial remarks regarding Black Lives Matter and black people recently surfaced online.

In a posting made on Facebook in 2019, Ryker said, “Pretty touchy subject but all this Black Lives Matter garbage baffles me. I challenge anyone of any color or race to go watch 12 years as a slave, the movie, and realize how good you all actually have it. Learn heritage. Christ, Gandhi, Buddha, they all taught love and caring for others. This is getting out of hand. I pray for this nation daily.”

This don’t surprise me one bit. pic.twitter.com/mwJadDAr7T

— Dranrel Johnson (IG: SportyJaymez) (@Archangel_DJ718) June 2, 2020

In a separate social media incident from 2017, Ryker posted a photo of himself mimicking blackface.

With tensions high in the country, Dave Meltzer reported in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that the general mood in the WWE locker room was fuming anger at Ryker.

Meltzer also reported that one source suggested that the Forgotten Sons gimmick, which has a right wing paramilitary aesthetic, “would be tough to continue” after this week, even if Ryker hadn’t said anything.

A high level WWE source told Meltzer that Ryker is unlikely to be fired for simply exercising his freedom of speech.

Several WWE wrestlers responded publicly to Ryker, including Kevin Owens, Ali, Sami Zayn and Ricochet. The Forgotten Sons’ Steve Cutler and Wesley Blake also distanced themselves from Ryker.

The freedom you speak of entitles you to speak your mind all you want. I’m not here to argue that. I just really need to tell you that I think you pushing your shitty wrestling catchphrase as all of this is happening is absolutely fucking pathetic.

Good night. https://t.co/d34xdOXZr6

— Kevin (@FightOwensFight) June 2, 2020

I’m thankful you posted this because I’m now aware of what you stand for. When black brothers and sisters are crying, you praise someone that refuses to acknowledge their hurt. https://t.co/O4xm5L3Rpl

— Mustafa Ali / Adeel Alam (@AliWWE) June 2, 2020

I get you’re a “bad guy” on tv. And I’m HOPING that’s all this is. Even then, that ain’t it. But if this is actually your true thoughts – I’ll be really sad, man. 😔 https://t.co/9unml5rsiY

— Pretty Ricky (@KingRicochet) June 2, 2020

Literally built on oppression. https://t.co/yi26CWPgz6

— Sami Zayn (@SamiZayn) June 2, 2020

It shouldn’t matter your race or however you identify, we are ALL human beings and ALL deserve to be equal. #JusticeForGeorgeFloyd

— Steve Cutler (@SteveCutlerWWE) June 2, 2020

This is not what I fought for or what I believe America is.

What I’ve liked & retweeted depicts otherwise. I wanted to take this time to express my feelings as silence does not help in this situation. I understand that I will never understand, However I stand. #BlackLivesMatter

— Steve Cutler (@SteveCutlerWWE) June 2, 2020

I will never understand, however I Stand. #JusticeforGeorgesFloyd https://t.co/YZLRB5SyJO

— Wesley Blake (@TheWWEBlake) June 2, 2020