18. Dolph Ziggler vs. Alberto Del Rio - Monday Night Raw, April 8, 2013
Wrestling fans are incredibly loyal to their favorite Superstars. Especially if those stars are outstanding in-ring workers who have repaid that loyalty with awesome showings in the squared circle. Dolph Ziggler is one such star, a consummate professional who has never shied away from putting someone over when the time calls for it and never lets poor booking hurt his performance under the bright lights. When he won the Money in the Bank briefcase in 2012, fans eagerly anticipated the moment that he would cash in and captured the World Heavyweight Championship. After waiting months for the right opportunity, he finally stepped through the curtain in East Rutherford, New Jersey and set out to win the title that had eluded him. Just 24 hours after WrestleMania 29, Alberto Del Rio found himself beaten down, his ankle swelling to the size of a grapefruit after another vicious attack by Jack Swagger. Seizing the opportunity, Ziggler handed over the briefcase. After a few nerve-wracking moments, The Showoff delivered the Zigzag and scored the pinfall victory. What resulted was one of the biggest pops in recent memory, the die hard fans who had followed the career of Ziggler elated to see him rise to the top of the industry in one of the most joyful moments in WWE history.
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.
