1. World Heavyweight Championship Match: Dolph Ziggler vs. Alberto Del Rio - Payback 2013
The match between Dolph Ziggler and Alberto Del Rio at Payback in June 2013 is not only Ziggler's best match, it is one of the most impressive stories told by any two Superstars in the same match in years. In front of a passionate Chicago audience, Ziggler and Del Rio executed the extremely rare double turn that changed the booking of both going forward. Del Rio rediscovered his inner villain while Ziggler rode the appreciation and sympathy of the WWE Universe to unprecedented popularity. It was an incredibly difficult feat to pull off and one that had not been accomplished, successfully, in 16 years. Ziggler entered the match in recovery. A concussion had sidelined him for weeks and cost him an opportunity to really enjoy his first real run with the World Heavyweight Championship. Payback would be his first title defense against a man that had been consistently involved in the world title mix to that point, Del Rio. Unfortunately for Ziggler, Del Rio picked the right time to rediscover his aggressive side, violently, methodically and systematically targeting the head of his opponent. Ziggler took the beating in such a realistic fashion and his body language elicited such sympathy that the Chicago crowd switched the two Superstars in mid-match. Del Rio, who had been the babyface entering the match, was treated like a vile and ruthless villain while Ziggler was portrayed as the sympathetic babyface whose toughness and desire to prove himself as champion may have come at the expense of his health. By the time Del Rio blasted Ziggler with one last kick to the head, the turn was complete and Ziggler's title reign had come to an end. Fans, who had waited so long to see the Showoff enjoy a run at the top, watched it all crumble before their very eyes and could not help but feel sorry for him. It fueled a support, love and admiration for the talented worker and, more importantly, a respect that allowed him to run as a babyface from that moment forward.
Erik Beaston is a freelance pro wrestling writer who likes long walks in the park, dandelions and has not quite figured out that this introduction is not for Match.com. He resides in Parts Unknown, where he hosts weekly cookouts with Kane, The Ultimate Warrior, Papa Shango and The Boogeyman. Be jealous.
