WWE Survivor Series 2011 Results: The Top 9 Challengers for the US Title

After Match 1 for him at Survivor Series 2011, Dolph Ziggler remained the United States Champion. 

Ziggler may soon move onto the WWE Championship picture.  The superbly talented superstar is destined for main event status. 

Before he does, who is going to challenge him for the rest of his reign?

Long Island Iced Z is the next obvious choice, but beyond him there are several worthy challengers who’d combine with Ziggler to entertain WWE fans everywhere.

9. Brodus Clay

Admittedly this is a long shot, but it would certainly be intriguing. 

WWE has big hopes for Brodus Clay.  The recent vignettes on Raw have portrayed Clay as an unstoppable monster. 

In order to keep Clay's monster-like invincibility intact without letting him take the title, Jack Swagger or Vickie Guerrero might interfere and have Ziggler disqualified on purpose. 

This heel vs. heel battle would benefit from the contrast in styles and no doubt benefit Clay's career.

8. Alex Riley

The young Riley hasn't had much of a reason to be on WWE TV lately since the end of his student battles teacher confrontation with the Miz.

A shot at the United States Title gives him air time and a chance to show what he can do.

Riley and Ziggler should match up well.  Ziggler does have bigger fish to fry, but a few skirmishes with Riley could be good television. 

7. Cody Rhodes

Heel vs. heel, the Cross Rhodes vs. the Zig Zag, champion vs. champion, Rhodes vs. Ziggler would be wonderful entertainment.

This is one of the more unlikely entrants on the list, but will probably produce the best ring action. 

Rhodes and Ziggler may very well end up being the pillars of the company.  They are both destined for great things and fans can only hope that their paths cross as much as possible. 

6. Sin Cara

Even with the recent Supershow trend, this one is unlikely as Sin Cara is a SmackDown superstar, but a brief borrowing of the high-flyer would be a smart move. 

After unmasking the impostor Sin Cara, he’s had little direction.

While WWE comes up with what they want to do with Sin Cara, letting the Raw audience have a look at his world-class athleticism is a smart move.

The idea of a match between him and Ziggler will have more than a few fans salivating. 

5. Mick Foley

Since the Hardcore Legend is back for now, let’s see him do what he does best.

WWE shouldn't have Foley win the title, but a Falls Count Anywhere United States Title match on Raw would be a welcome treat. 

To quickly create bad blood between the two, Ziggler could start out by disrespecting Foley, calling him "washed up" and a "spot monkey." 

Foley could look heroic in defeat.  The WWE Universe could be in for an instant classic. 

4. Kofi Kingston

These two men have a history of great matches together.  While Evan Bourne is out due to a suspension, it makes sense to give Kingston at least one shot at the title.

Kingston is too talented to be sitting on the sidelines while he waits for his partner to return. 

Kingston and Ziggler have some preexisting bad blood to create an instant story.   

Their excellent chemistry and the barrels of quickness between them will guarantee a thrilling showdown.

3. John Morrison

Morrison and Ziggler put on a fantastic show to open Survivor Series.  And even though the fans in the Garden audibly preferred Ryder, Morrison deserves at least one more rematch.

Unless WWE has plans to let JoMo walk, they need to put his acrobatic artistry on display as often as possible.

Morrison and Ziggler work beautifully together. 

While I realize Ryder deserves a shot soon, it's unfortunate that he might leave Morrison out of the picture.  Perhaps a Triple Threat Ladder Match is in order at TLC.

2. Mason Ryan

This is also an inevitable collision.  Ryan and Ziggler have the beginnings of a feud working already.

A story leading to a full-fledged feud would be simple.

The contrast of speed versus size is intriguing.  In the ring, Ziggler should make Ryan look better than he is. 

On the mic, though, since Ryan is not a master of words and Ziggler isn't strong enough to carry him in that department, their rivalry may be short-lived.

1. Zack Ryder

You know it!

Fans rabidly chanted for him during the Morrison and Ziggler match.  They are certainly ready to see Ryder get his shot.

WWE is not going to be able to delay that matchup for long. 

His schtick may grow tiresome at some point, but right now Ryder is red hot.  The time is now to have him challenge Ziggler.

Their matches are sure to be fast paced and exciting.  Ziggler's selling and Shawn Michaels-like ability to work well with anyone will up the quality of those battles as well.