WWE Reportedly 'Giving Up' On Dolph Ziggler

[BladeRunner]

"For those keeping track, Dolph Ziggler has taken part in twenty-six Intercontinental title matches at various events (televised and non-televised) within the past few months, losing all but two. He won one match via count-out with another match being ruled a double count-out. Furthermore, he has come up short in retrieving the title on television on seven different occasions including Night of Champions, SummerSlam, Hell in the Cell and four separate episodes of Friday Night SmackDown!.

Ziggler was at one point scheduled to win the title from Rey Mysterio over the summer, but the high-flying Superstar vetoed dropping the title to him on more than one occasion. When push came to shove as a result of a 30-day suspension for violating the company's drug testing policy in early September, Mysterio agreed to drop the title to John Morrison.

Now it appears that the ship has sailed on Ziggler nabbing the gold as WWE officials have reportedly "given up on him."

On a related noted, Ziggler was voted the "Most Deserving of a Title Shot" among his peers in the "Superstar Survey" taken for the latest issue of WWE Magazine."

So what do you guys think about this?

Is giving up on Ziggler justified?

Should he be given another chance?

 

[PEP3]

Giving Ziggler so many opportunities at the Intercontinental title -- only to have him come up short each and every time -- seems exceptionally odd. It makes me wonder what creative is genuinely thinking when booking him in this direction. (It reminds me a bit of how they gave William Regal repeated opportunities at the ECW title, having him lose each as well, but I digress.) Clearly creative lacks the confidence in Ziggler/his character to actually put the strap on him at this time. That doesn't mean WWE is giving up on him or his character altogether. It just means that now is not his time.

As someone who remembers what I consider the "glory days" of the WWF, when every time someone challenged for a title it didn't necessarily lead to a new champ, I don't see anything wrong with this. In fact, sometimes I think it does the title and contender more good to not win the belt than to have it bounce back-and-forth in meaningless and, ultimately, unforgettable reigns for both champ and challenger.

Back in the day, people like George "The Animal" Steele challenged "Macho Man" Randy Savage for the Intercontinental title for several months on end without ever wresting the strap from him. It made Steele into a legitimate challenger and, in turn, put Savage over as a dominant and tough-to-beat champ. During The Honky Tonk Man's legendary reign, he faced a series of tough challengers, none of whom could take the belt from him, no matter how hard they tried.

These days, viewers have become so accustomed to every single challenger ultimately winning the title, it makes a challenger like Ziggler -- who's been unable to take the belt -- seem unique. There was a time when that was actually the NORM. I remember the days when WWF didn't just bounce the IC title from person to person. They actually allowed champs to defend the belt for months at a time, frequently against the same contenders over and over again. That built up the anticipation and sense that the next time might just be THE TIME the challenger would take the belt.

Whether or not Ziggler ever wins the belt isn't necessarily the issue here. The matches have already done what they needed to in the eyes of the fans. Ziggler, who kind of started as a bizarre character not taken too seriously by viewers, has officially moved into the "genuine contender" bracket. That's got to be a success in anyone's eyes.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

It's all Rey Mysterio's fault. But he's had a stellar year and Ziggler is average, so I forgive him.

There are certainly better people to push. Ziggler has an awful look. That hair will never be cool. He has a terrible name. He need to give himself a nickname in the hope it catches on. And he makes too much noise when he wrestles. It's highlighted more because nobody actually reacts to him.

I still like him more than John Morrison, mostly because hs' not grossly overrated and he can talk without looking nervous.

 

[PopeIsPimping]

I was very apprehensive of Ziggler at first, mainly because I kept hearing about how there's big plans for him, titles galore and all this build up after only a few matches (i have the same feelings about DiBiase), but i've come to like him - his ring work is impressive, has good charisma, and seems to be able to draw heat. I think it would be unreasonable for creative to give up on him after what is essentially them booking badly - why was he booked to lose so many times, and what did they expect? If he loses 20 matches, you can't blame him for not getting over enough. If anything, he's done his job, and seems a natural fit for the title - hopefully Morrison goes up to higher feuds, and Ziggler as champ could feud with Finlay or R-truth for the strap.

But this isn't ultimately about the title - its about a talented performer who deserves more of a chance, and booking him as a continual loser isn't it

 

[Mantaur Rodeo Clown]

There are certainly better people to push.

Like who? Whats Curt Hawkins doing these days?

Ziggler has an awful look. That hair will never be cool.

Have you seen the HBK mullet from the mid 90's? Truly horrific.

He need to give himself a nickname in the hope it catches on.

What about "New Intercontinental Champion"?

I still like him more than John Morrison, mostly because hs' not grossly overrated and he can talk without looking nervous.

True, but he should move slower during his entrances and wear meerkats to the ring.

I'm not sure what to make of the report, or where its from. Probably the WZ main page or something. In any case, we have Dolph Ziggler, the eternal challenger. Always a bridesmaid, never a bride. I don't think it's terrible that he's getting so many opportunities. I think it makes him look hungry. My problem is, I just have a sneaking suspicion that they are only using him to make John Morrison look good. Couldnt they have fed Morrison Knox or Festus or something instead?

Love him or hate him, he's more tolerable than most rookies on the roster, and has been around longer than them. And he doesn't have a ridiculously hideous ponytail. Looking at you Drew. Uh yeah, so in summary, it would be a bad choice on WWE's part to "give up" on Ziggler, as with a proper opportunity, he might show what he's worth.

 

[gd]

Ya, Ziggler is just pointless. Really, what is there special about him at all? He doesn't have a look that stands out, he doesn't really have a character, and his music isn't very good either. Why should I bother with him? There is a reason that he has failed so many times, he doesn't deserve the title.

Off course, this doesn't mean the WWE should get rid of him. He can hang around in the mid card for awhile and make other guys look good, like his match with Kofi. Maybe he can even get into a couple of real feuds. The guy is decent, but certainly nothing special enough to really care about.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

Like who? Whats Curt Hawkins doing these days?

Sure, Curt Hawkins could fill the role. He might not have amassed a lot of victories during his last run, but Ziggler hasn't with his current run either. At least they'll be able to make a fresh start with Curt Hawkins.

Have you seen the HBK mullet from the mid 90's? Truly horrific.

Sure, but HBK's hair was exactly the same as several other people from that era. HBK had dated hair, Ziggler just has shit hair.

What about "New Intercontinental Champion"?

That's not a nickname, it's a title. It also wouldn't work when he ineviatably lost the title and after he'd held it for a couple of weeks.

True, but he should move slower during his entrances and wear meerkats to the ring.

Ziggler laughs in the face of meerkat ring jackets, he wears white cheetah skin trunks, sometimes.

I like how you said meerkats. We both know Morrison can't afford mink.

And he doesn't have a ridiculously hideous ponytail.

You didn't watch Breaking Point I take it.

 

[Mantaur Rodeo Clown]

Sure, Curt Hawkins could fill the role. He might not have amassed a lot of victories during his last run, but Ziggler hasn't with his current run either. At least they'll be able to make a fresh start with Curt Hawkins.

He had a run as Edge's protege. And he couldn't make it work. Ziggler had a run where he hung around 4 other guys dressed as cheerleaders and jobbed to DX and Hall Of Famers. Throw him a bone once in a while.

Sure, but HBK's hair was exactly the same as several other people from that era. HBK had dated hair, Ziggler just has shit hair.

Nothing will ever justify the hair he had in 1995. Nothing. I was watching the Royal Rumble from that year. Pamela Anderson and a Mullet. Unforgivable.

That's not a nickname, it's a title. It also wouldn't work when he ineviatably lost the title and after he'd held it for a couple of weeks

I've been pushing Ziggy Stardust since late 2008.

Ziggler laughs in the face of meerkat ring jackets, he wears white cheetah skin trunks, sometimes.

I love those gloves he wears. Very Madonna-esque.

You didn't watch Breaking Point I take it.

Oh no he ditn't! Did he really? Oh Ziggy.

Was he even on that show?

 

[Y 2 Jake]

He had a run as Edge's protege. And he couldn't make it work. Ziggler had a run where he hung around 4 other guys dressed as cheerleaders and jobbed to DX and Hall Of Famers. Throw him a bone once in a while.

Working with D-X & Legends should've given Ziigler way more experience over just being given Chokeslams by Undertaker.

Nothing will ever justify the hair he had in 1995. Nothing. I was watching the Royal Rumble from that year. Pamela Anderson and a Mullet. Unforgivable.

It was the norm back then. Kevin Nash had smilar. Hulk Hogan had a strange long hair/bald spot thing going on. Thankfully, Hogan has now opted for a change of hairstyle....

I've been pushing Ziggy Stardust since late 2008.

Before he wrestled on TV?

Oh no he ditn't! Did he really? Oh Ziggy.

Was he even on that show?

Yeah, he beat up Pat Patterson. I have to say that he was more over than Patterson & John Morrison combined.

 

[Uncle Sam]

Imagine I'm completely straight-faced while typing this. I am. I'm completely serious. It's "let's roll up our sleeves, cut the bullshit, get sweaty armpits and do an all-nighter" time.

I hate to repeat myself, but I really did come up with the absolute perfect gimmick for Dolph Ziggler. It's not his fault he's not succeeding, he just needs something better. Here's where Adolph Ziggler comes in. He's a member of the Aryan master race, he tells us - here to chase away anyone of impure blood. Cue breathtaking, edge-of-your-seat feuds with Shelton Benjamin, Mark Henry, R-Truth and, uh, Scotty Goldman.

 

[goodlay]

Ya, Ziggler is just pointless. Really, what is there special about him at all? He doesn't have a look that stands out, he doesn't really have a character, and his music isn't very good either. Why should I bother with him? There is a reason that he has failed so many times, he doesn't deserve the title.

Off course, this doesn't mean the WWE should get rid of him. He can hang around in the mid card for awhile and make other guys look good, like his match with Kofi. Maybe he can even get into a couple of real feuds. The guy is decent, but certainly nothing special enough to really care about.

Well, rather than talking about his entrance music, maybe you could focus on aspects of Ziggler that are actually relevant, like his in-ring ability. He's a solid mat wrestler, his move set is strong, has good athleticism, and if you don't like Dolph at all, watch his IC match with Rey at SS. He doesn't deserve a Kofi Kingston type push by any means, but give this guy the IC title, rather than just burying him and destroying any credibility that this guy could have had.

 

[Remix]

Dolph Ziggler is hardly getting buried. He's not winning the IC title at the moment but he isnt getting squashed by Rey or Morrison, he's not being made to look like he doesnt deverve to be IC champion (because lets face it, each and every time he's wrestled the champ he's been on top for most of a match he's usually close to winning). if he was getitng buried he wouldn't be in the ring with the IC champion for anything other than a squash match and wouldnt be (likely to) wrestle him at TLC (I'm assuming that him and Morrison will have a match at the PPV, though no IC title match has been revealed as of yet).

He may not be winning the title, but sometimes you dont need to win to gain credability. Just ask the Miz.

 

[Freddy4190]

Why is everyone on Ziggler's nuts? Like, what's so special about him? Yeah, he's not a cheerleader anymore. Yay? He was impressive the first few months, then he got boring. He looks even more ridiculous now then he did as a cheerleader. His in-ring work is somewhat impressive, but it's not IC title impressive. He's not on the same level as John Morrison, hell.. he's not on the level below JoMo. Keep him in the mid-card, make him earn that belt. Give him a credible feud for once.

 

[Shaz1]

Dolph Ziggler Does not suck. Hes a pretty good Wrestler in the ring and his attitude kinda reminds me of Randy Orton when he was the legend Killer. Hes Cocky,Arrogant,And Athletic just the way he should be. I love his theme Song and when he walks to the ring like that. That Really shows that this guy has it in him. I think he could be the Next Randy Orton in the near future.

 

[Chill]

I think Ziggler is IC title worthy, that WWE would book him in so many matches for the title only to have him lose each time has only made him look weak. For the last few weeks he has basically lost to John Morrison.

To be honest I'm a bit suprised they haven't put the title on him...I mean he delivered in matches with Rey Mysterio over the summer and a lot of his work with Morrison has been good as well...it just goes to show how quickly you can fall from management's grace in WWE, it's not like he's being buried but reports suggested he was being groomed to be the next holder of the IC Title nonetheless and now that isn't the case supposedly.

As for his gimmick, yeah sure it mightn't be the best but it isn't the worst...I think Nick Nemeth is doing the best with what he's got and I've went from not caring about Dolph Ziggler to actually quite liking him, so he must be doing something right. I would agree that there are a few tweaks which could be made to his character but I don't think it's as dire as some might suggest. I can only speak for myself but at a recent house show I attended, Ziggler was very over and was drawing a lot of heat.

In saying all that, I still think he will be IC champion someday, it's just not his turn yet apparently.

 

[Lethalfan]

I hope wwe is not actually giving up on Dolph Ziggler. He is a really good character with a good gimmick in my opinion. His charisma is pretty good with his cocky attitude. I think it would be a bad decision on wwe part to just give up on him. Especially since wwe is lacking top mid card heels on SmackDown.

 

["Cool Guy" Jensen]

Giving up on Dolph Ziggler as a means of no longer giving him Intercontinental Championship, I'm okay with. However, giving up on him by no longer pushing him, having him go on a losing streak, or something like that... I'd really have a problem with. I mean, WWE has pushed Dolph Ziggler ever since he debuted on Smackdown, with a win against then-United States Champion M.V.P. Sure, he lost their United States Championship match, but that was obvious... he has since won a fued over The Great Khali and he's been the #1 contender for the Intercontinental Championship for the past 4 months. While, someone won't usually be #1 contender for such a long period of time, it's a good thing that he's been the only one in so long, in my opinion.

Dolph Ziggler can still do some great things on Smackdown, even if he's not being included in the Intercontinental Title scene. Sometimes the best mid-card fueds are the ones that do not involve the title, so maybe Ziggler can be in another good fued.

If it means that he's not getting anymore title shots for the time being, then I'm cool with WWE giving up on that. However, he's pretty much been one of the best mid-carders on the Smackdown roster, in the past 6, 7 months. So, I hope that WWE will find a way to keep Dolph Ziggler as a main player in the Smackdown mid-card division, with or without the IC Title being involved.

 

[Ambiguous Turd]

I have no idea why the WWE would "give up" on Dolph Ziggler. Honestly, what does this company expect out of people sometimes? I really don't get it.

Ziggler works hard. He gives pretty good matches. He seems over enough with the crowd. Why would they not invest in the guy, and invest in their Midcard? Is it because he doesn't have the size of a Drew McIntire?

I have no issue with Ziggler being used to help Morrison build his own credibility, since building Morrison's credibility is the bigger priority, as far as I'm concerned. He is obviously being groomed for the Main Event, and they need new blood in the Main Event .... like Now.

But, at the same time, there is no reason why Ziggler couldn't have won the IC Title from Morrison under dubious circumstances, to ensure Morrison didn't look weak in the process, but still give Ziggler the rub from a cheap win to capture the IC Title.

If this report is true and they are giving up on him, I think it's absolute bullshit. Ziggler worked hard for them. What the Hell did he do that they weren't happy with?

 

[NSL]

If this report is true and they are giving up on him, I think it's absolute bullshit. Ziggler worked hard for them. What the Hell did he do that they weren't happy with?

To the shock of everyone, I'm agreeing with Sid here.

He's obviously a company man...He was a damn cheerleader for a while, and stuck around in the "minors" for even longer. He's been impressive in the ring, getting a lot of mentions for MOTY against Rey at NoC. His mic skills may not be the best in the business, but he gets his point across, and plays a cocky heel as well as anyone else currently in the company.

He should be kept in the mid-card, and at worst taken out of the picture for a few months. He should, and hopefully will, get a title run in the future.

 

[Remix]

I'm going to assume, like i did with the 'Punk's in the doghouse for a dress code violation' story that this is bollocks. Somebody, somewhere using logic along the lines of 'Dolph isnt winning the IC title therefore WWE's given up on him' has reported this and like all rumours with a grain of plausibility about them will do the rounds on the other wrestling sites until either the rumours proven false by another bit of news (such as other sites reporting that the dress code violation was bollocks, or it being reported that Punk is in fact not in the dog house, but the WWE wants to push R-Truth by having him feud with Punk). If WWE was really giving up on Ziggler he would have stopped wrestling Morrison before now, and wouldnt have been on the team for Survivor Series.

 

[It's...Baylariat!]

Imagine I'm completely straight-faced while typing this. I am. I'm completely serious. It's "let's roll up our sleeves, cut the bullshit, get sweaty armpits and do an all-nighter" time.

I hate to repeat myself, but I really did come up with the absolute perfect gimmick for Dolph Ziggler. It's not his fault he's not succeeding, he just needs something better. Here's where Adolph Ziggler comes in. He's a member of the Aryan master race, he tells us - here to chase away anyone of impure blood. Cue breathtaking, edge-of-your-seat feuds with Shelton Benjamin, Mark Henry, R-Truth and, uh, Scotty Goldman.

Sounds like something right up "Ralph" Ziggler's alley. Who the hell called him Ralph again? Anyway, there's only so much they can do for a gimmick that's not made for longevity. His saving grace would be doing a worked shoot where he comes out, says he hates his name, hair, and ring attire and calls himself "The Shooter" Dan Gavin. He tells it how it is and gets punked out for doing so.

I digress, but it just goes to show that the WWE has no concept of helping a young wrestler have long term success. The WWE doesn't think about the future, they think about right now. And right now, Ziggles hasn't had enough IC title shots and needs to lose 24 more times before he finally wins it, hence, making that title lose cred because someone who failed 100's of times before finally wins the mid-card title.

And I have The Shooter's motto; "Don't make me say it!"

 

[Kanye South]

Why is everyone on Ziggler's nuts?

My ass has never once touched his nuts.

Like, what's so special about him?

Like, mic skills, a good maineventer look, entertaining in the ring, and he's not Jesse/Slam Master J. God I hate that guy.

Yeah, he's not a cheerleader anymore.

I would imagine not.

Yay?

Nay.

He was impressive the first few months, then he got boring.

Is that so?

He looks even more ridiculous now then he did as a cheerleader.

You look more ridiculous now than you did as a cheerleader.

Seriously though, you can't sit there with a straight face and tell me that he looks more ridiculous now, then when he was a green mexican jumping bean.

His in-ring work is somewhat impressive, but it's not IC title impressive.

Well, it isn't like you need to be Shawn Michaels to be IC Champ. I'd say you need to be a Santino Marella. I mean, it isn't like the IC Title makes you King of the fucking world, it's just to propel you to the World Title.

He's not on the same level as John Morrison, hell.. he's not on the level below JoMo.

Yeah, because it takes a wrestling gawd (lol JBL) to do teh flippeiz!!!!

And I'm a JoMo fan.

Keep him in the mid-card, make him earn that belt. Give him a credible feud for once.

I say nuts with that. Dolph Ziggler deserves to be pushed. He has the mic skills, the look, the ring skills, and he's not that damn Slam Master J!

I hope his dick explodes.

 

[colalella2891]

You've got to be freakin kidding me. How completely UNFAIR is that??? The WWE always screws guys over, and it makes me sick. I'm so tired of it. The same thing happened to Matt Hardy, I've wanted him in the main event for a long time and I think he's pretty much screwed too.

Not only that, Ziggler has worked his ass off. Like what was said, 26 title matches!!! How is that not deserving. He's bringing prestige to the IC title, and he's one of the most talented superstars currently that is 'breaking through." First Escobar, now Ziggler??? If the WWE keeps this up, they'll never make enough new stars for the future...

 

[gd]

Well, rather than talking about his entrance music, maybe you could focus on aspects of Ziggler that are actually relevant,

Entrance music is relevant.

like his in-ring ability.

What about it?

He's a solid mat wrestler,

Another way of saying he's boring.

his move set is strong,

The fuck does that mean?

has good athleticism,

So does Shelton.

and if you don't like Dolph at all, watch his IC match with Rey at SS.

Watch any Rey match this year, they're all great. That wasn't Dolph's doing.

He doesn't deserve a Kofi Kingston type push by any means, but give this guy the IC title,

There are many other guys I'd give it to, even Drew.

rather than just burying him and destroying any credibility that this guy could have had.

Ya, because losing to Morrison is the same as getting buried.

 

[Platypus Palsy]

I meant to put "Give him the title", but my damn computer made me click get rid of him. Damn you computer.

Anyway, I think he deserves at least a run with the IC title to see how he does as champ. After all these opportunities, might as well see what happens when he has it. If it doesn't work out he could drop it back to Morrison or lose it to someone else. After all these shots I think it couldn't hurt to let him have it for a month or 2.