10 Incredible Wrestling Title Wins (…That Led To RUBBISH Reigns)
5. Dolph Ziggler: World Heavyweight Championship
The Money in the Bank concept is a better star-making approach than the Royal Rumble, and it's Dolph Ziggler's 2012 victory that proved as such.
Dolph's win wasn't viewed as being left field. He'd already been established as the go-to guy at the time, competent enough to work a good-to-great match with everyone, so the rationalisation was obvious to those that wanted Dolph to flourish...
...and that wasn't WWE management!
Dolph kept hold of the briefcase until the post-WrestleMania XXIX Raw, choosing an opportunistic moment to cash in on a wounded Alberto Del Rio. The authentic push from fans to see Dolph succeed coupled incomparably with a typically uproarious post-'Mania audience to create the perfect backdrop against which to paint Dolph's crowning moment, the powerful blast of the 16,000+ in attendance echoing around the building as finally - finally - WWE had crowned a World Champion they desired.
The lusterless reign wasn't all down to WWE's abhorrent booking, either. Dolph was legitimately hurt as WWE approached Extreme Rules after being concussed and, in spite of being medically fit by the time of his defence vs. Del Rio at Payback, WWE had him drop the title anyway, rendering his title win inconsequential.
At least Dolph got his rematch at Money in the Bank - which AJ Lee cost him.
It wasn't even Vince Russo booking this sh*t!