10 Wrestlers Who Gained Nothing From Becoming World Champion

3. Dolph Ziggler

dolph ziggler
WWE.com

The ship has sailed on Dolph Ziggler’s main event career.

Once considered one of WWE's most misused wrestlers, the bulk of his fanbase have given up, and as ‘The Show-Off’ drifts from one pointless feud to another on SmackDown, it’s clear that he’s never going to get another moment in the spotlight. He has become an eternal gatekeeper.

At the height of Dolph’s popularity, however, the clamour for his push was fierce. His sharp charisma, flashy moveset, and outrageous selling made him an immensely popular figure among WWE fans, and he was literally handed the World Heavyweight Title in February 2011. Unfortunately, a reinstated Edge returned to defeat Ziggler later that evening, ending his first big title reign in just over an hour.

It took Dolph’s momentum a long time to recover from this crippling blow, but recover it did, and by 2013, fans were once again screaming for him to play a bigger role. Dolph captured his second title with one of the most memorable Money In The Bank cash ins of all time, but it brought no lasting success.

Ziggler lost the belt 69 days later, having suffered a disastrous mid-reign concussion that ensured he’d never be a major player again.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.