Much is made of Ziggler's ability to sell, and it is part of his dubious charm as a performer. Of course, for every pitch-perfect sell job - he sells a good hard kick to the face like he's been shot in the head - there's one where he goes way too far. There's an art in the oversell and you have to know when and where to inject a little overkill. Save it for the big moves, the dramatic spots. The Rock and Shawn Michaels were classic exponents of the well-timed oversell, and Ric Flair's infamous 'Flair flop' isn't just a reaction anymore, it's a spot all its own, and one that gets a pop regardless of the move that supposedly caused it. And then there's Dolph Ziggler, who sells transitional moves like they're knockout blows. Ziggler flies through the air (bumping against dust motes and various inert gases as he does so) at the slightest impact. I've said before how Dean Ambrose's weak-ass offence makes him look like a human balloon animal - well, Ziggler's melodramatic defence makes him look like he's fighting on the moon. To see the problem, compare a typically hard-fought Ziggler match with the Heartbreak Kid's hilarious, vengeful overselling burial of Hulk Hogan at SummerSlam in 2005. Worryingly similar, aren't they?
Professional writer, punk werewolf and nesting place for starfish. Obsessed with squid, spirals and story. I publish short weird fiction online at desincarne.com, and tweet nonsense under the name Jack The Bodiless. You can follow me all you like, just don't touch my stuff.