Dolph Ziggler has been kicking around the WWE, between development and main roster, for about 10 years now. Once Kerwin White’s sidekick, then Nicky of the Spirit Squad, he has, basically been doing whatever the company asked of him and whatever he could to give the people who paid the money a show to remember.
Whether heel, face or partner, the Phoenician, born Nick Nemeth, has finally reached the top tier of the WWE Superstars roster. It’s not that the 34 year old hasn’t had a storied run so far in his career: World Tag Team Champion (with the Spirit Squad), a US Title, Money in the Bank winner, 3 time Intercontinental Champion, 2 time World Heavyweight Champion and the 22nd Triple Crown Champion. His 2 Heavyweight championships were short lived however due to a story line and an injury. But Dolph’s recent IC title run and heroic effort at this year’s Survivor Series highlighted what the fans have been clamoring for the past year - more Dolph Ziggler!
Ziggler has taken his cocky Showoff act and turned it into a style not-unlike John Cena’s Never Give Up attitude, only not so serious. Over the years, Ziggler's sells have become a thing of beauty and his arsenal of in-ring tricks is plentiful. He can do quick matches or long endurance marathons where he has to do all the heavy lifting with no problems AND make it look good.
One of the things Dolph has benefited from lately is the scarcity in the locker room at WWE. As a classic mid-carder throughout most of his career, Ziggler often got lost in the shuffle of whatever Sheamus or Alberto Del Rio were up to. With what feels like half the locker room that was there in 2012, 2014 has been a breakout year for the one some called The Natural.
The WWE Universe has loved being in Dolph’s corner all year, rooting him on to keep going, keep winning, keep showing us and the world what a real professional wrestler is supposed to look and act like - something he’s aspired to be since he was a kid himself. If it looks like he’s out there having fun doing just that every night, just remember, it’s all part of the Show.
