Royal Rumble 2012 Results: What's Next for Dolph Ziggler After Loss to CM Punk?

The 25th anniversary of the prestigious Royal Rumble event has come and gone.

In its wake lay unanswered questions about the fates of the WWE superstars as WrestleMania 28 approaches.

In particular, Dolph Ziggler's future hangs in the balance on a seemingly precarious foundation after a very promising first few weeks of 2012.

Since getting the best of CM Punk on recent editions of Monday Night Raw, Ziggler was beaten by him in grand, definitive fashion at The Royal Rumble.

Throughout the duration of their 15-minute match, Ziggler was down for the count a total of basically four times. While the referee was incapacitated, Punk had Vickie Guerrero's client defeated on three occasions—following an "Anaconda Vice", a cradle and the "GTS"—before winning the contest with a second "GTS."

The actual pinfall was counted by not only the assigned referee in the ring, but the "outside" referee John Laurinaitis.

So, to put it all together, Dolph Ziggler was dispatched four times and had two referees declare him the unanimous loser.

Suffice it to say "The Show Off's" attempt to win the WWE title ended deplorably, severely undermining the momentum he had accrued up until the bout.

That being said, the WWE will likely find a way to expunge the memory of Ziggler's performance at The Royal Rumble in time for WrestleMania 28.

And the best way to get the WWE audience to cast aside its misgivings about Ziggler is to turn him face.

That is, by pushing away Vickie Guerrero and her influence, Ziggler would be respected and embraced by the same audience who doubted his credibility at The Royal Rumble. In addition, unlike many of his peers, Ziggler has the in-ring talent, interview skills and overall charisma to sustain the initial pop that would result from a face turn.

Assuming Ziggler becomes a fan favorite, the question becomes who does he feud with leading up to a match on the WrestleMania card?

The answer is The Miz, who is an effective enough heel to carry a babyface in transition.

Their rivalry should be ignited by having The Miz become Vickie Guerrero's latest squeeze.

Naturally, Vickie's spell and thirst for vengeance would fall over "The Awesome One," persuading him to target the ungrateful Ziggler.

After weeks of drama and confrontation, a new plot twist would come to the surface: Ziggler would employ a strategy where he profusely apologizes and, once again, professes his adoration for Vickie Guerrero.

However, the crowd wouldn't start jeering Ziggler because, as he hugs her in the center of the ring, he would wink at the members of the WWE universe, alluding to a mischievous plot up his sleeve.

At this point, the storyline would take a dramatic turn as Vickie wouldn't know whose corner to stand in at WrestleMania—The Miz or Dolph's.

During the actual contest, Vickie would ultimately choose to aid Dolph in a decision that would play into the finish. Specifically, Vickie would take off one of her heels and subtly slide it to a fallen Ziggler, who would whack The Miz with it for the one, two and three.

As Ziggler is celebrating the victory, Vickie would excitedly get into the ring to celebrate with "The Show Off." But, to the surprise of nobody except the oblivious Vickie, Ziggler would shove her on her backside to the delight of the roaring fans.

Adding insult to Vickie's shame, Ziggler would point at her mockingly and laugh as the sea of WrestleMania attendees chortle with him.

Undoubtedly, a new cunning babyface star would be born in Dolph Ziggler.