Back when I first started watching wrestling, the lines between faces and heels were much more defined. Look at Hulk Hogan, for example. The Hulkster instantly became the top face with a simple act: He saved Bob Backlund from a 3-1 beatdown, after which Backlund explained Hogan's face turn simply with something along the lines of "He's changed his ways." Hogan furthered this by dropping Freddie Blassie as his manager, and defeated the Iron Shiek shortly thereafter for the WWF Title, leading to the birth of Hulkamania. Hogan's face promos following this were the stuff made of legend, and he backed it up too, both by taking on and defeating heel challengers, but by saving other faces from beatdowns from heels as well.
On the other hand, look at one Ted DiBiase Sr. The "Million Dollar Man", in my estimation, was the greatest heel of all time. When he couldn't win the WWF Championship on his own, he created the Million Dollar Championship for himself. He had a manservant named Virgil whom he embarrassed on numerous occasions, and he would pull kids from the audience, ask them to dribble a basketball 100 times for 100$, and when they reached 99, he would kick the ball away from them. Not a redeeming quality about the man, as he even attempted to buy the WWF Title.
How does any of this relate with regards to Dolph Ziggler? At the Payback PPV, WWE attempted the "double turn" by turning Alberto Del Rio heel, and Dolph Ziggler face. In some aspects, it worked. Del Rio looked ruthless by repeatingly targeting Ziggler's recently concussed head, and he confirmed his heel turn the next night with a scathing promo on the fans, referring to them as "ignorant pigs". Now, once again, Del Rio looks like the rich, pompous jerk who will do anything to retain the title, complete with a(suspended) manservant of his own.
But what about Ziggler? Did he come out of the PPV looking sympathetic? Sure he did. But what of the follow-up? Pitting Ziggler against heels instead of faces is simply not enough. Beating up on Del Rio multiple times and now 3MB is all well and good, but where is that money promo that solidifies a face turn? Instead of having him wrestle a 3 minute match on Raw against Jinder Mahal, why not use that time for said promo, solidifying his face turn? There's the sympathetic angle, sure, going into his rematch with Del Rio, one that makes it easy to want to cheer for him and gain revenge. But let's say Ziggler regains the title from Del Rio. What then? What has Dolph Ziggler done, beyond getting kicked in the head numerous times from Del Rio, that makes him likeable in any way?
My argument is simple. Any face reaction that now involves Dolph Ziggler was created by Alberto Del Rio. Nothing more. When Ziggler is done with Del Rio, he's on his own. And sooner rather then later, he's going to need to cut that money promo that solidifies him as a face. There's a reason that John Cena and CM Punk draw. They back up their actions with words, and vice versa. There's money as a babyface in Dolph Ziggler, I believe, so it's time he does the same.
Thoughts on this? Are you satisfied with Dolph Ziggler as a "face" in his current direction, or does he need to do more?
On the other hand, look at one Ted DiBiase Sr. The "Million Dollar Man", in my estimation, was the greatest heel of all time. When he couldn't win the WWF Championship on his own, he created the Million Dollar Championship for himself. He had a manservant named Virgil whom he embarrassed on numerous occasions, and he would pull kids from the audience, ask them to dribble a basketball 100 times for 100$, and when they reached 99, he would kick the ball away from them. Not a redeeming quality about the man, as he even attempted to buy the WWF Title.
How does any of this relate with regards to Dolph Ziggler? At the Payback PPV, WWE attempted the "double turn" by turning Alberto Del Rio heel, and Dolph Ziggler face. In some aspects, it worked. Del Rio looked ruthless by repeatingly targeting Ziggler's recently concussed head, and he confirmed his heel turn the next night with a scathing promo on the fans, referring to them as "ignorant pigs". Now, once again, Del Rio looks like the rich, pompous jerk who will do anything to retain the title, complete with a(suspended) manservant of his own.
But what about Ziggler? Did he come out of the PPV looking sympathetic? Sure he did. But what of the follow-up? Pitting Ziggler against heels instead of faces is simply not enough. Beating up on Del Rio multiple times and now 3MB is all well and good, but where is that money promo that solidifies a face turn? Instead of having him wrestle a 3 minute match on Raw against Jinder Mahal, why not use that time for said promo, solidifying his face turn? There's the sympathetic angle, sure, going into his rematch with Del Rio, one that makes it easy to want to cheer for him and gain revenge. But let's say Ziggler regains the title from Del Rio. What then? What has Dolph Ziggler done, beyond getting kicked in the head numerous times from Del Rio, that makes him likeable in any way?
My argument is simple. Any face reaction that now involves Dolph Ziggler was created by Alberto Del Rio. Nothing more. When Ziggler is done with Del Rio, he's on his own. And sooner rather then later, he's going to need to cut that money promo that solidifies him as a face. There's a reason that John Cena and CM Punk draw. They back up their actions with words, and vice versa. There's money as a babyface in Dolph Ziggler, I believe, so it's time he does the same.
Thoughts on this? Are you satisfied with Dolph Ziggler as a "face" in his current direction, or does he need to do more?
