Is there a new People's Champion on the rise? Despite spending a year or so getting buried after an injury, the Showoff Dolph Ziggler looks poised to raise his stock at WWE by reigning over the Intercontinental Championship for a while. The long-time fan favorite has experienced a YES! Movement of his own this summer, finally getting another push and landing the IC Title in the midst of a feud with the Miz. The King of the Bumps is thriving in his new role, and though his reign was interrupted briefly at Night of Champions last weekend, he aims to hold onto the belt for a long while.
Taking bumps is a vital part of the craft of wrestling. When a star no sells someone else's offense, it makes everyone look dumb. That's why Hulk Hogan will never be as good as RIc Flair to many hardcore wrestling fans. Clearly Ziggler knows this, which is part of the reason he is so beloved (via Bleacher Report):
"It's a recipe that requires one part athletic skill, one part body language expertise and one part gung-ho approach to the discipline. It's clear that he watched Shawn Michaels in action. Like Michaels, he maximizes the dramatic impact of every move."
Ziggler is red-hot right now, and when Bad News Barrett returns, expect the heat to rise even more. Healthy competition at the mid-card breeds higher energy and bigger pops.
Some may have a problem with the way Ziggy and the Miz traded the belt on back-to-back nights, but it's hardly a new chapter in wrestling. No offense, but I think this guy is way off (via Bleacher Report):
"In fact, flip-flopping the title devalues its significance and worth. Could you imagine playing hot potato with a championship title? If truth be told, that's not how championships should be valued."
While I agree with that statement in theory, I do not believe it is a hard and fast rule. And I definitely do not agree that trading the IC belt was poor booking in and of itself (although the Night of Rematches on Raw as a whole might be questionable).
What do you think?
Tell us your thoughts in the comment field below.
