4 Ups & 3 Downs From Last Night's WWE SmackDown (Aug 22)

2. Ziggler's Uninspiring Return

“Awesome! Dolph Ziggler’s back,” said absolutely nobody last night.

‘The Show-Off’ returned to SmackDown following a lengthy absence from television. Interviewed by Dasha Fuentes, he feigned excitement at being back, then derided the company for having him return via backstage segment.

Things got a little meta from there. Ziggler sarcastically said he knew what it took to be a star, and that perhaps he’ll start singing and playing guitar, dancing around like an idiot, or get a “woman who glows in the dark” to accompany him to ringside. He then signed off, promising to deliver all this next week.

Dolph’s delivery was fine, but the content was not. The meta references to other WWE characters were clumsy, and rather than doing something new with Ziggler for his return, WWE are going with the same “I’m really overlooked, you guys,” angle he’s been running for years, albeit with a slightly different slant. Unfortunately, this did nothing to build excitement for his comeback, and it’s hard to imagine an effective follow-up.

Just send this guy to NXT already...

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. 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.