The Authority Firing Dolph Ziggler Raises His Profile

Toward the end of 2014, Dolph Ziggler erratically flip-flopped between success and failure. Fortunately, luck is back on his side.

Ziggler lost his Intercontinental Championship to Wade Barrett on Raw. It was a shady defeat, of course, after Kane changed the rules at the last minute. Later that night, The Authority (kayfabe) fired Ziggler.

That lucky dog.

Ziggler hit the creative jackpot Monday night. He escaped the Hotel California stranglehold that is WWE's midcard, and then he got canned in the main event.

That lucky, lucky dog.

Everybody knows a WWE firing carries as much meaning as a TNA hiring. Give it three weeks before Ziggler is bumping the bleach out of his hair in the Royal Rumble. In fact, the once-sacred art of WWE firings is only reserved for top-tier talent.

Stone Cold Steve Austin, John Cena, The Big Show, The Big Show again, Vince McMahon, Rob Conway—OK, not Rob Conway, but most firings lead to a dramatic scene in which the fired star comes back with more steam than before. The famed "Bang: 3:16" segment in 1998 came just one night after McMahon fired Austin at WWE Judgment Day.

The storyline revolving around reinstatement is usually saved for a big segment fit for a conquering hero. Ziggler has yet another chance to be that guy.

While employed, Ziggler's month featured a sharp decline in stature. One minute, he carried Team Cena. The next, he carried a meaningless title. Now, out of the doldrums he's seemingly destined for, Ziggler is once again in direct association with WWE's top stable.

After just two months of storyline unemployment, some feel The Authority returned too soon. Chances are, those who have such complaints are also fans of Ziggler. In just one show, The Authority made Ziggler relevant again.

Their return couldn't have happened soon enough.

In addition to Ziggler, Ryback and Erick Rowan were also fired. Both have already become fixtures of follow-up features across WWE content.

Triple H addressed the firings in the latest YouTube sit-down interview with Michael Cole. All three are featured in videos for WWE Backstage Fallout. After weeks of wrestling purgatory, they're special again.

During Ziggler's exit interview, he seemed slightly indifferent, at times shrugging his shoulders to complement a matter-of-fact delivery. Nick Nemeth couldn't pretend to be fired long enough to convince Ziggler. Even the character knew he was coming back.

On paper, Ziggler had a miserable night. It was Monday, he has no job, and he doesn't have anything to do.

Per storyline, he's picking up where he left off in November.

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