10 Big Mistakes WWE Will Probably Make Before 2017
4. Not Turning Dolph Ziggler Heel
How good was the Dolph Ziggler vs. Dean Ambrose build? The SummerSlam match might have fallen flat, but the weeks leading-up to it were close to flawless. Both wrestlers effortlessly blurred the lines between face and heel, with Dean’s overbearing diatribes and Dolph’s surprise superkick on the go-home show creating a logical reality-based storyline that kept fans guessing on a weekly basis.
Ziggler ultimately failed in his quest to capture the WWE World Championship, and lost his opportunity for a second shot after losing to AJ Styles this week. His frustration, depression, and general disappointment were played-up on this week’s SmackDown Live, and while he continues to give it all in the ring, Dolph is a broken man. The Show-Off is down in the dumps, and he doesn’t have a clue how to get out of his malaise.
The logical decision is to turn him heel. Ziggler’s always been more comfortable as a bad guy, and while the story has created intrigue, fans aren’t rallying around his quest. The SummerSlam match was met with a muted crowd response, further cementing the idea that he’ll never be a top babyface while Ambrose is around.
Unfortunately, WWE haven’t been quick to pick up on these crowd signals in recent years. Even when it’s abundantly clear that a wrestler’s alignment isn’t working (hello, Roman Reigns), WWE have stubbornly stuck to their guns and refused to turn the performer in-question. If Dolph’s ever to become the credible superstar he once was, he has to return to the darkside, and he has to do it immediately