10 Losses That Must Happen At WWE SummerSlam 2016

3. Dolph Ziggler

Randy Orton SummerSlam 2015
WWE.com

Dolph Ziggler’s career resurgence is in full flow.

Playing off some great low-key heel work from Ambrose in recent weeks, Ziggler is rebuilding himself as a legitimate main event contender on SmackDown. His contendership status could’ve used some extra build, sure, but after languishing in the doldrums for so long, it’s heartening to see Ziggler performing with such fire again, and as unlikely as it seems a few weeks ago, there’s a chance he’ll leave SummerSlam as WWE Champion.

While Dolph can continue to be a fixture in the title scene going forward, now isn’t the time to put the belt around his waist. Ziggler is producing his best work in a long time as he goes all-out to prove to Ambrose that he’s more than just a “show-stealer”, but there’s still work to do here. Ziggler has been close to irrelevant for almost two years, and this just isn’t the time to make him “the guy” again.

Yet.

Losing to Ambrose would be the perfect jump-off for a fully-fledged Ziggler heel turn. Dolph has always been ill-suited to his current babyface role, and his cocky character takes-on a new lease of life when the stabilisers are off and he’s allowed to be the bad guy.

Turn him after the loss, and WWE can make Ziggler the big-time heel that SmackDown sorely lacks at the moment, particularly against Ambrose, who has finally become WWE’s top babyface.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.