Dolph Ziggler; Nick Nemeth, Nicky, Ziggs, the man whose here to show the world. What exactly? To alot of people, Dolph Ziggler is perhaps the most underratted superstar in WWE, him along with others such as Drew McIntyre, Damien Sandow, Tyson Kidd, Justin Gabriel, Kofi Kingston and me personally, Evan Bourne. Today though I am talking about Dolph to put in my opinion on the matter, as well as facts as to why probably WWE is doing this to him. Please also remember it is my opinion and mind, if you like to say your piece please do, whether you agree with me or not. So lets get this going.
Nick Nemeth began his WWE career in OVW, Former WWE Training facility. While he wasn’t that noticeable back there on noticeable feud he did have was facing Paul Birchill for the OVW TV Championship. While he lost he did infact win the FCW Tag Team titles with two other partners with Brad Allen and Gavin Spears. He made his official WWE TV debut on Sunday Night Heat as Chavo Guerrero, who was named “Kerwin White”, Nemeth was his caddy… Now you can expect with a gimmick like that, Nemeth’s career was gonna be shot to hell and never have a chance again (as with some people WWE does) and it was, but abruptly. Due to the unfortunate death of Eddie Guerrero, Chavo reverted back to his family name and Nemeth’s role was dropped. He only wrestled a few dark matches before being sent back to OVW.
Nemeth though returned only a few months later, under the name of “Nicky” As part of the heel faction known as the Spirit Squad. This group was just a bunch of OVW guys who were ready but WWE clearly had no idea what to do with them. They played a very good role as being the litteral ass kissers of Vince McMahon, but most of the time Nicky’s role was being just there and doing spots with the stable. He also, while he didn’t win it, he and the Spirit Squad won the World Tag Team championships from Kane and The Big Show and WWE recognized all of them as the champions thus allowing them all to defend the titles with any combo, which I like. They would continue to feud against the reunited leaders of DX. Eventually however, The Spirit Squad was disbanded, after they lost the World Tag Team Championships to Ric Flair and Roddy Piper. And all but one member, that being Kenny Dykstra, were resent to OVW.
After spending a year in FCW of getting his skills to the best he can get them, Nemeth returned as what we know him today, Dolph Ziggler. As a smug guy telling everyone his name and getting to know everyone. Then a month later, he gets 30 day suspension for wellness policy violation… Well done getting your career on foot. Then he has his first offical match as Ziggler, against… Batista, and he lost.
As time past it would appear Ziggler would find himself in a bunch of bad luck. His first title match was against M.V.P for the US title and he never got it. Then a couple months later, he tried to feud with Rey Mystiero for his IC title, but Rey lost the belt to John Morrison before Ziggler ever got a chance, but eventually he beat Kofi Kingston for the IC title and held it for a nice while before losing it back to Kingston. Then, the main event was calling for Ziggler. He was put into a feud with Edge for the World Championship. Eventually he “won” the title, after Vickie Guerrero said the Spear was banned, Ziggler was awarded the belt but Edge faced him for it the same night and won it back. Zigglers title reign was only 11 minutes. What a damn shame.
After many more months of bad luck inside character and out, Dolph eventually won the Money in the Bank for the World title, after many teases and hopes, Dolph Ziggler cashed in his Contract the night right after Wrestlemainia 29 on Alberto Del Rio to many fans delight. This a spark in change within the WWE fanbase, as many people, even myself thought WWE was giving people who weren’t cardboard copys of Triple H legitimate championship opportunitys. But a few weeks later as champion, tragedy struck. Ziggler suffered a legitimate Concussion, thus voiding him out of his first legitimate World title defense. The card was changed to Del Rio vs Swagger for Number One contendership. Many people were hopeful, I was not. I knew that the fact Ziggler was injured as a champion and missing out a defense WWE would either strip him, or have him lose. Though others were not thinking the same, many believed WWE wouldn’t let Ziggler lose his first defense and would build him to be a great champion, but when Ziggler lost, cleanly to Del Rio, and turning Face, he lost the belt and crushed alot of people’s dreams. Since then he has never regained the belt and rarely gets chances to get in a title match for the main belt.
WHAT WENT WRONG?
There could’ve been alot of wrong going in, but I want to bring up something. I’m sure alot of you know Mr. Anderson? Formerlly WWE’s Mr. Kennedy. Now you can always argue that the reason he was fired was cause of Randy Orton, but I beg to differ. I think it was because when WWE was trying to push Kennedy, he would get injured a few weeks prior. WWE always likes to see their workers push themselves before getting their push, some do, some don’t. Kennedy was clearly going into the main event when he wrestled his final match there, but just four days later, he is out of a job. What gives? Perhaps its the fact he kept getting injured. He spent almost a year as a non active wrestler and also promoting his own movie, but a injury prone guy as a champion? I don’t think that WWE’s style. This brings me back to Ziggler, as a world champion, as far as we see, it takes alot more to be champion in the WWE. People have to give more than they regularly do. This includes taking risks, that they are confident about doing. WWE entrusts their wrestlers in hope they know what they are doing but what happened to Ziggler was very unfortunate. For one, he was set to defend, but he got injured and that I believe put a sour note on him in the WWE. WWE does not like their new up comer stars getting injured, let alone being the World Heavyweight Champion. Second when he won the belt, he was just getting into his 30’s, While not really a young lion anymore, he isn’t old either, but his injury could’ve hurt him in the long run. This could be the reason, Ziggler who he WOULD give risks to show that he can be the World champion, is perhaps too risky for the WWE to take. Not to mention, theres only one main belt now, technically two but its still one. I do not understand why he hasn’t even been fighting for the IC or US titles, which is more of a insult than anything.
IS THERE STILL HOPE?
There is plenty of time before Ziggler should consider retirement, or a WWE release, but I think that is more of his fear than anything. Its kinda clear that WWE is slowly fading out Ziggler, but he keeps making spots so we see him and take notice, so they can’t fire him. Plus he has a very big dedicated fan base, so that would hurt their image more if they fired him, but I cannot see Ziggler winning one match and then becoming the WWE World Heavyweight Champion. I’d think it would be smart to re-build him. Not really changing anything, but make him work for belts prove his worth once again, face Big E and win the IC title after a nice run have him drop it, and try to have him in a legitimate title match for the World title. Make him be believable as a champion. But WWE should do this soon if they even have hope in Ziggler.
I hope you enjoyed this read. If you have anything to say, negative, positive I don’t care, please say something and let your voice be heard! Have a nice day!
