8. Intercontinental Championship Match: Dolph Ziggler vs. Rey Mysterio - SummerSlam 2009
There were plenty of questions surrounding Dolph Ziggler and his realistic potential as a WWE Superstar. He had been popped for a Wellness Policy violation shortly after his reintroduction to Monday Night Raw, was not really given the opportunity to make an impact over on the flagship show and was missing that one performance that gave fans and management confidence that he could be a viable star in the industry. At Night of Champions in July 2009, Ziggler showed flashes of brilliance as he attempted to wrest the Intercontinental Championship from Rey Mysterio. He was unsuccessful but for the first time, fans got an indication that there was more to the young star than a six-pack and bleach blonde hair. At SummerSlam the following month, Ziggler and Mysterio would be tasked with kicking the show off and they did so with a tremendous contest that finally elevated the challenger in the eyes of the fans and his peers. With an all-time great such as Mysterio helping to guide him, Ziggler worked an energetic and fast-paced style that resulted in a wild and dramatic championship clash. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqCXYzSsgKw Ziggler failed in his attempt to capture the title and ignite his career but he more-than performed up to the considerable level of competition and showed that he could hang with the very best in the industry, regardless of the circumstance or setting.
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.
