10 Reasons Why Dolph Deserved His Demotion

5. He's Been Overtaken

Dolph Ziggler
WWE.com

Ziggler hasn't stolen the show in eons because there has been a surfeit of guys promoted from NXT much more capable of doing so.

In 2011, when Ziggler was making his first proper strides as a performer, it was a very different WWE. R-Truth was considered an acceptable challenger to John Cena's WWE championship. FCW-by-numbers Ted DiBiaise Jr. and the exceptionally anonymous Ezekiel Jackson were in Intercontinental title contention.

Mark Henry was your World Heavyweight champion. It was no wonder Ziggler stood out - the rest of the field, frankly, was dross.

Fast forward to 2016, and times have changed for the better. WWE has taken one finger out of the ears and listened to the hardcore tastemakers within their audience, signing a raft of exciting global talents and, better still, allowing them to perform in much the same manner which made them popular in the first place.

In comparison, Ziggler, as we've covered, has stood still both between the ropes and on the microphone. He might protest to the contrary, but the evidence is there for all to see. Ziggler used to crow 'How good am I at this?' on the way to the back after a particularly enthralling TV match. The question is no longer rhetorical.

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!