Hey Scott, any idea what the original plan was for Dolph Ziggler pre-concussion? It seems as though they've temporarily moved him out of the title picture again to maybe make way for a Del Rio/RVD feud. Was the plan always to have Ziggler lose the title back to Del Rio and stick him in a feud with Langston instead? Also while I'm at it, do the people in charge believe in Ziggler's all-round ability the way we do? Because I don't recall anyone of prominence speaking particular highly of him the way they do Bryan, Punk etc. Thanks
Well it couldn't have been too long-term because they wanted Del Rio to be the big Latino babyface star for the next generation and such. I know they really like Ziggler but I don't know how much, if any, they trust in him as a big star, as evidenced by the constant jobs and total non-protection. I think they're trying for that 95 Shawn vibe where they make him a sympathetic babyface and create demand for the chase until he wins the Rumble. It's kind of a weird vibe though because Dolph is kind of an unlikable dick thus far. Although Dolph getting screwed over by a crazy ex is something that guys of the target age can relate to, at least. The AJ stuff seems long-term enough that Dolph's title loss was probably planned beforehand, I'd guess.