WWE: Is Dolph Ziggler Ready To Be Pushed in Main Events?

There has been a great deal of talk and buzz about the future prospects of Dolph Ziggler, as of late. The current US Champion has won a lot of fans with strong work ethic, ability to interact with the crowd and rapidly improving promo work, and many fans and critics are keen to cite him as WWE's next big main event star.

The former amateur wrestler's dynamic performance against new WWE Champion CM Punk in an outstanding non-title match last week on Raw also reinforced the call from many to strap the rocket to his back and push him to the moon.

In a near 20 minute match, Ziggler and Punk exchanged blows and numerous gripping near falls to deliver what was easily one of the best television matches of the year. While Punk ultimately emerged victorious after a GTS, Ziggler managed to look like Punk's equal and came out of the bout with cemented credibility as one of WWE's premier in-ring performers—something that was even acknowledged by Booker T on commentary.

But is Ziggler ready to be pushed into main events?

No doubt this is a question the higher-ups of WWE management are pondering these days. Certainly, there are one or two concerns, regarding his long-term prospects.

For one thing, the name “Dolph Ziggler” is as ridiculous and cartoonish as ever, and can still garner snickers (it was apparently devised as a spin on Mark Walhberg's character from the movie Boogie Nights). And it is easy to imagine the name raising some eyebrows when Ziggler goes on various talks shows to promote the product.

The small (well, by WWE standards) Ziggler also lacks the huge size of the guys that Vince McMahon overwhelmingly prefers to push. The enormous Mason Ryan, for example, who is currently getting a major push on WWE television in spite of his lack of in-ring proficiency. Certainly it is easy to envision the narrow-minded Vince in booking meetings being reluctant to push the rising star Ziggler due to the feeling that he does not have the right “look.”

WWE's erratic and incompetent booking team have also not helped his cause. Most notably, booking him to be awarded the World Heavyweight Title and have a laughably short title reign on Smackdown earlier this year, (Edge won it back at the end of the same show). This served as an embarrassment for all involved.

But, really, are these things that should impede the US Champion's journey to the top? Of course not. Granted, the name is incredibly dumb—and it's probably too late to change it—but it's not like wrestling is known for its ultra-realistic names (“The Undertaker,” anyone?). It is to Ziggler's credit that he's managed to just about move off from his ridiculous moniker.

Likewise, his smaller stature should not be an issue in modern day WWE. Especially if, as Triple H informed an indignant Punk a few months ago on Raw when the ice-cream loving rebel brought up WWE's tendency to push only big body-builder types, the promotion really does give equal chances to everyone, regardless of size.

For one thing, one factor working in Dolph's favour is his on-screen alliance with heat-magnet Vickie Guerrero. One of the best heel managers working today, the screeching, irritating cougar adds greatly to Dolph's act without upstaging him (TNA's Karen Angle, who annoyingly dominates the KO division in spite of not actually being a wrestler, should take note).

Undoubtedly, the two (who may or may not still be in a romantic relationship on-screen, although there are a few hints it's evolved into more of a business partnership these days) are one of the most entertaining and over acts going in WWE today.

And who knows? A split from Vickie down the line could have the potential to turn the villainous Dolph into a huge babyface. Jack Swagger appears to have been brought into the stable mainly to cause strife between Vickie and her client. Undoubtedly, Dolph's tandem with Vickie is ripe with possibilities if or when he graduates into WWEs main event scene and should serve as an incentive to the creative team to push him more.

Ultimately, Ziggler should receive a main event push simply because he has emerged as one of the most promising talents WWE have had in some time. Ziggler is the perfect package: He's good looking, has charisma in spades, is a phenomenal athlete and is capable of having a good match with just about anyone (he's even managed to make the clumsy and uncoordinated Mason Ryan look somewhat competent on recent episodes of Raw).

Additionally, anyone who has checked out Zack Ryder's Internet show Long Island Z, will know about the raucous Ziggler's perfect comedic timing and ability to be funny (something head Raw writer Brian Gerwitz should value—he's the one responsible for most of Cena's sitcom-style comedy promos).

Of course, regardless of what fans or critics say, it is ultimately up the WWE booking team to decide what they want to do with Ziggler in the future. Let's hope they come to the same conclusion almost everyone else has.