WWE SummerSlam 2012 Results: Chris Jericho Beats Dolph Ziggler and What It Means

The 25th annual SummerSlam event featured one of the best opening matches in recent memory. In a wonderful 13-minute match, Ziggler tapped out to the Walls of Jericho.

Jericho's inability to win the "big one" has been a talking point of his feud with Ziggler. Since returning on January 2, 2012, Jericho hasn't been able to come out on top of the major pay-per-view stage. By making Ziggler tap out, Jericho has definitively proved that he has what it takes to win the "big one."

That much is obvious. What else does Jericho's victory tell us?

Well, for one, "Y2J" can now step out of the spotlight to go tour with Fozzy and know that he didn't come up short in every opportunity he was given.

That said, it opens the door for a more interesting sendoff for Jericho. Many had assumed that Jericho would, once again, fall short on the grand stage and would leave frustrated. Now that Jericho has beaten the nagging Ziggler, how will they book his exit?

Even more so, Jericho's match with Ziggler has set up a major breakout moment for Ziggler tonight at SummerSlam. For one, Ziggler helped put on a match of the night contender. Also, the early placement of this match definitely allows time for cash-in his Money in the Bank title shot tonight.

Despite losing the match clean, Ziggler looked like a star and cash-in tonight would definitely make SummerSlam Ziggler's breakout stage.

If Ziggler were to win the World Heavyweight Championship tonight, Jericho would definitely have grounds to challenge Ziggler on Monday's Raw. Not only would Ziggler vs. Jericho for the World Heavyweight Championship be a major PPV main event, but it would also be a stellar way to write Jericho off television.

Michael Prunka is a Bleacher Report Featured Columnist. To stay up to date with his WWE and NHL commentary, you can like his Facebook page, follow him on Twitter and follow him on Tout.