10 Precise Moments Wrestling Fans Rejected Internet Darlings

7. Dolph Ziggler - WWE Royal Rumble 2018

Bray Wyatt Spooky Lil Kid
WWE

In truth, Dolph Ziggler entered his unfashionable era at some point in 2017.

There's no shame whatsoever in being a fantastic upper midcard worker, but because true main event talent was so lacking at Ziggler's peak, a headline run was projected onto him. Was it always beyond him?

He was never a great promo, didn't exude true intangible superstar charisma, and his working style while superb was too selfless to the quality of a match. When Vince McMahon looks for qualities in a headliner, bumping isn't one of them. That's what he looks for when he's after somebody who makes his headliners look good.

By Backlash '17, he had become the guy who works with the fashionable guy, as opposed to the guy who hardcore fans thought should be beating John Cena. The contrast with Shinsuke Nakamura underscored his new role, but this wasn't too far removed from his minor modern masterpiece of a series opposite the Miz in the autumn of 2016. If there was time for Ziggler yet, WWE squandered it throughout the year by positioning him in the star-maker role.

By the 2018 Royal Rumble, his irreversible stigma was complete when fans were totally disinterested by his return from a worked shoot storyline in which he vacated the title.

The number #30 slot is as good an indication of who's over as any, and Ziggler was not over.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!