Dolph Ziggler: Why He Will Be the Next WWE World Champion

Since his WWE re-debut in late 2008, Dolph Ziggler has quickly made a name for himself in the industry while making an impressive impact.

He may have started out as nothing more than a glorified jobber, but his recent rise to the top of the company has been excellently done and undoubtedly foreshadows his extremely bright future going forward.

After dominating the mid-card scene and dropping his United States Championship to Zack Ryder late last year, it was heavily rumored that Ziggler was ready to enter the WWE championship picture. While he did do exactly that in the first few months of 2012, the bleached-blonde Superstar abruptly dropped off the radar and was relegated to less important matchups until June.

Upon entering his impromptu feud with Sheamus going into the No Way Out pay-per-view, Ziggler was, of course, not seen as a threat to the World Heavyweight Championship. He fell victim to Sheamus' brutal Brogue Kick every time they met in the ring and was treated as a mere afterthought...until just recently.

Ziggler unsurprisingly emerged victorious in this year's SmackDown version of the Money in the Bank ladder match a few short weeks ago, meaning he now has the opportunity to cash in his guaranteed World Heavyweight Championship match at the place and time of his choosing.

The reason I call Ziggler's Money in the Bank victory unsurprising is due to the fact that it's pretty well-known that the former tag team specialist is primed and ready for a run with the world title. Given the lack of credible heels on today's active roster, elevating Ziggler would seem like a no-brainer.

Sure, his win-loss record as of late may not be all that impressive, but just take a look at the matches he's competed in. Ziggler does exactly what he says he will always do, in the sense that he steals the show in every contest he takes part in.

His selling of maneuvers is unquestionably awe-inspiring, so it's sometimes a treat to see him on the losing end of a match just to witness him sell the Brogue Kick like a champ. His in-ring work is some of the best in the company right now, while his mic work has vastly improved over the last two years.

If the past is any indication, every Money in the Bank winner always cashes in their briefcase successfully (excluding John Cena), so it's almost a lock that we'll be seeing him holding the World Heavyweight Championship at some point. But the real question is when.

With a Fatal 4-Way being held tonight on SmackDown and Ziggler not being one of the four participants, it's quite possible we could see Mr. Money in the Bank cash in following the world title match at SummerSlam—similar to what he almost accomplished at the Money in the Bank event.

Another factor to keep in mind is that Sheamus has already dominated every opponent who has stepped up to challenge him for his prestigious prize, so there are not many contenders left for the Celtic Warrior to face. By the time his dragging feud with Alberto Del Rio is finally over, I'm nearly positive that we'll be seeing Dolph Ziggler as the new title-holder.

Over the course of the last year since his face turn, Sheamus has rarely been pinned clean, if at all for that matter, so you know that Ziggler wouldn't be cashing in his briefcase in advance. That being said, I don't expect Sheamus to drop his strap in an advertised contest, but rather in a quick cash-in from Ziggler that also protects the Irish-born world champ.

All of the pieces to the puzzle are gradually coming together, meaning that Ziggler is more than ready to carry Friday night as the most must-see World Heavyweight Champion in history. I have a feeling that Sheamus' lengthy reign as champ is coming to an end relatively soon, and I'm confident that Ziggler is next in line for a run with the golden prize.

Do you believe Dolph Ziggler will be the next World Heavyweight Champion? Or will WWE swerve us by having someone else more worthy take the the title from Sheamus first?

Thanks for reading, Bleachers, and be sure to drop a comment below with your thoughts on Dolph Ziggler's future going forward. As always, your criticism and overall feedback of my latest piece is welcomed and greatly appreciated.

GSM out.

Visit my website at Next Era Wrestling, as well as listen to my SAVE US GSM radio show every Thursday at 10/9c for more of my thoughts and writings, along with WWE/TNA news, reviews, recaps and more.

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