WWE TLC 2011 Predictions: Why Dolph Ziggler Will Destroy Zack Ryder

Sorry to break your hearts, Zack Ryder fans. Dolph Ziggler is going to come away with the WWE United States title still wrapped around his waist after the Tables, Ladders and Chairs pay-per-view. 

In fact, I envision that this will be a rather easy title defense for Ziggler. Here are some reasons why.

Ziggler Has More Stamina

Some may wonder if Dolph Ziggler is truly capable of dominating Zack Ryder in their upcoming United States title match.  Ziggler can because he definitely has the chops to outlast his TLC. opponent under any circumstances.

Ziggler’s incredible in-ring stamina has been on display at WWE’s last couple of pay-per-views, as he has pulled double duty at both Vengeance and Survivor Series.  Given Ziggler’s endurance, Ryder will struggle to keep up.

Unlike Ryder, Ziggler Shines at Pay-Per-Views

The bookers at WWE must like something about United States champion Dolph Ziggler, as they continue to have him wrestle overtime at recent pay-per-views.  It’s because everybody under the sun—bookers included—realize that Ziggler simply shines in the spotlight.

He has given outstanding performances at each of the more recent pay-per-views and will likely do the same at TLC.  As for his opponent, Zack Ryder, he has seen very little in-ring action at pay-per-views lately. 

Ryder’s ring rust in that regard could cost him. 

Don't Underestimate Vickie Guerrero's Impact

It doesn’t hurt Dolph Ziggler knowing he has the very astute manager Vickie Guerrero in his corner.  What Guerrero has done for Ziggler’s career is simply incredible.

All Ziggler has done since hooking up with Guerrero is capture the World Heavyweight Championship (albeit very, very briefly) and go on a six-month reign as United States champion.  I don’t think it’s a coincidence that Ziggler has had Guerrero’s support during his title runs, nor do I think it will be merely circumstantial that Guerrero will be in Ziggler’s corner when he destroys Zack Ryder and keeps the U.S. title.

If Zack Ryder Doesn't Get Outside Help, He's Screwed

Let’s not forget how Zack Ryder got his United States title match against Dolph Ziggler at the TLC. pay-per-view.  If it weren’t for John Cena delivering an Attitude Adjustment to the world’s strongest champ, Mark Henry, Ryder probably isn’t in this position.

And Ryder already scored a non-title victory over Ziggler on Monday Night Raw back in September.  But that came after Raw guest host Hugh Jackman delivered a ferocious sucker punch to Ziggler’s unsuspecting jaw.

I’m starting to think Long Island Iced Z can’t score a major victory without some outside help.  And since I haven’t seen anything that would indicate otherwise, I’m not going to start believing that Ryder can take Ziggler’s U.S. title without some assistance.

A Loss to Ryder Will Ruin Ziggler's Credibility

The WWE bookers have done a great job building up Dolph Ziggler throughout 2011.  It would be a shame to see Ziggler lose to someone like Zack Ryder who has only been built up through the likes of social media.

It’s not to say that Ryder can’t one day turn into a wrestler who everyone takes very seriously.  But at this point in his young career, he still comes across as the fist pumpin’ Internet champion obsessed with spiking his hair.

If Ziggler jobs to Ryder on Sunday, it will undermine all of the momentum Ziggler has generated in 2011.  

Jack Swagger Could Interfere on Ziggler's Behalf

If the All-American American Jack Swagger wants to remain in Vickie Guerrero’s good graces, he’d be well-advised to help Guerrero’s other client, Dolph Ziggler, retain his United States title over Zack Ryder at the upcoming TLC. pay-per-view.

A Swagger interference on Ziggler’s behalf would benefit both wrestlers, as Swagger would win over even more support from a very appreciative Guerrero and Ziggler’s impressive U.S. title reign would roll on.  Potentially dealing with outside shenanigans from both Swagger and Guerrero could prove too much for the Internet champ to overcome. 

Ryder Is Just a Novelty Act

Some pretty prestigious wrestlers have been crowned United States champion over the years.  If Zack Ryder beats Dolph Ziggler at WWE’s TLC. pay-per-view, he would not be one of them.

I’m sorry, but I just don’t think Ryder is mature enough—nor ready—to overtake Ziggler.  Ryder’s got a funny novelty gimmick going, but that’s it. 

To put the U.S. title around his goofy waist would be a slap in the face to Ric Flair, Harley Race, Stone Cold Steve Austin, the late Eddie Guerrero and all of the other legendary wrestlers who have called themselves U.S. champ.

If Ryder one day ditches the spiked hair, sunglasses and the “Are you serious bro satellite radio” shtick, he could eventually make a great champion.  Until then, let’s not mess with the perfection of Ziggler.