WWE's Dolph Ziggler and 4 Other Notable Names Without a WrestleMania Match

From WWE.com

Monday on Raw saw the groundwork being laid for multiple WrestleMania programs.  Ryback and Mark Henry had an intriguing staredown, while CM Punk earned the right to face The Undertaker. 

With other programs, like the Shield's ongoing feud with Orton and Sheamus, also taking form, it is slowly becoming panic time for some names who seem to be on the outside looking in. 

A handful of notable names in the WWE do not have very consistent feuds that seem to be leading toward WrestleMania.  Instead, they are made to face (and in some cases lose to) random opponents on a week-to-week basis. 

It's difficult to imagine WrestleMania 29 going off without some of the individuals on this list.  But outside of WWE's top stars, WrestleMania guarantees nothing.   

Wade Barrett

Why We Care: Current Intercontinental champion. 

WrestleMania 29 Projection: Making a cameo similar to his role in Dead Man Down.

As an Intercontinental champion, one would think that Wade Barrett's spot at WrestleMania would be secure.  That is no longer the case in an era when secondary titles have been diluted. 

Barrett will likely sneak into WrestleMania in some capacity.  But now that Sheamus, who feuded briefly with Barrett on TV, seems to be in a program with the Shield, Barrett is now without a dance partner.  Bo Dallas, also a budding rival for Barret, has apparently gone MIA with no appearance on Raw since February 11. 

The Intercontinental championship gets an upgrade in prestige when defended at WrestleMania.  Hopefully the WWE realizes this and finds an opponent for Barrett. 

The Miz

Why We Care: Former WWE Champion.  Current prodigy of Ric Flair. 

WrestleMania 29 Projection: Facing Antonio Cesaro for the United States Championship.  

Two years ago he was literally headlining WrestleMania.  This year, he's once again in danger of missing it.  It's hard to imagine Miz spending WrestleMania on the sidelines given his recent, albeit modest, movie star push and affiliation with Ric Flair. 

United States champion Antonio Cesaro may be the likeliest opponent for Miz, as the two have been feuding for several weeks.  But just this past week on Raw, Miz took on Dolph Ziggler in a match that had no backstory whatsoever. 

Zack Ryder

From WWE.com

Why We Care: The only WWE superstar in history with more than 1 million followers on Twitter and no major titles to his name. 

WrestleMania 29 Projection: Making his presence felt as part of a "we want Ryder" chant during Cena-Rock rest holds. 

Zack Ryder has made no bones about his current career frustrations.  On March 6, Ryder tweeted Vince McMahon a clever pair of trunks with a button donning the words "push me." Ryder has also been promoting an ongoing joke of him taking on catering at WrestleMania. 

Ryder's plight continued this past Monday on Raw as he was fed to Mark Henry in a squash match. 

Given his violent dissension since 2011, Ryder may be receiving the short end of the stick at this year's WrestleMania, which is a shame. 

Kofi Kingston

From WWE.com

Why We Care: Former Intercontinental champion.  In fact, Kofi has won every WWE title except the ones that count.   

WrestleMania 29 Projection: As part of a crowded, token "WrestleMania paycheck" tag team match.

Since his "wildcat" push in late 2012, Kofi Kingston hasn't done much of anything.  Kingston lost the Intercontinental championship to Wade Barrett on the final Raw of 2012 and has been stuck in neutral since. 

Now, with no feud since his title loss, Kingston's best bet for WrestleMania would be in a group or tag team role. 

Dolph Ziggler

From WWE.com

Why We Care: Current Money in the Bank holder, leader of a once-hot three-person stable. 

WrestleMania 29 Projection: Cashing in the Money in the Bank Briefcase.   

Looking at Jack Swagger and Dolph Ziggler's current standings, one would think it was Ziggler who was coming off of a DUI and marijuana violation and Swagger with the Money in the Bank briefcase. 

Ziggler has spent a peculiar amount of time on his back lately, with the most recent example coming this past Monday on Raw when he lost to the Miz. 

This is all likely a clever ruse for the WWE to hide Ziggler before making a surprising splash by cashing in the Money in the Bank briefcase on Alberto Del Rio. 

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