The Hydden View: Ziggler’s Time is Now

Who remembers the night after WrestleMania 29? I like to refer to it as the night the fans hijacked the show. If you remember the fans were booing wrestlers in the ring, just because they didn’t want to see them at that point and time, and who can forget the “Fandangoing”, the crowd was in control. If I had to guess the crowd had to be a large percentage of fans that had watched WrestleMania live the night before. The same crowd that was disappointed when there was no cash in of the “Money in the Bank” contract by Dolph Ziggler. The next night when a helpless Alberto Del Rio laid in the ring the crowd erupted when Zigglers music hit. Ziggler went on to win the World Championship, and started what many had hoped would be a long successful run.

We all know how history worked out; he didn’t have a long successful run, being regulated back to mid-card status pretty quickly. First let’s address the rumors and look at past champions. It was rumored Ziggler had some backstage problems and was being punished for whatever he had done. I don’t know if that’s true, and I could care less. The way I see it, although politics are played backstage the McMahaons are too smart to let that stop them from making money. So I have to say if at that time Ziggler was making money as the champion he would have stayed the champion. Many past champions have been champion then had to wait years to get there second run or third run (let’s face it Dolph’s first run was a joke). But, his second run, although a legitimate run wasn’t great either. Legendary wrestler The Undertaker first won the belt in 1991, only not to win it again until 1997. Bret hart won it in 1992, and he had to wait until 1994 to hold it again. It’s quickly approaching two years for Ziggler, that’s why it’s now or never for him.

Ziggler is at the height of his popularity. No matter how many mid-card matches he has, the fans love him. I have never watched a Ziggler match where I said “man the crowd is dead”. He has been given the Intercontinental Championship, and had a pretty good run with it. I fear that may be coming to an end, I think they have big plans for Luke Harper and that will be who he eventually loses it to. Now if WWE stays with tradition, Ziggler will lose it and go back to the heap of mid-carders. They cannot do this? Ziggler is a star, not only is he worthy of the Championship he has earned it. Does anyone remember the Spirit Squad? How about Zigglers on camera relationship with Vickie Guerrero? Ziggler has done everything asked of him, even suffered thru multiple injuries and concussions that he will pay for long after his career is over. They have a chance not to only catapult a great wrestler into the limelight, but also give some credit and prestige back to the Intercontinental Championship

This is his time, and if WWE drops the ball on this I fear his time will be over. A wrestler can only reach this height of popularity so many times before the fans no longer believe in him. Right now we the fans believe in Ziggler, please WWE believe in him to.