John Cena/Dolph Ziggler – One Step Up
Cena's "injury" is wrestling booking at its best and job well done by all involved for selling it so effectively. It was subtle, looked legit, and set up a perfect opportunity for Ziggler to steal a win over WWE's number one guy. The win shouldn't feel cheap either.
I'm not overly enthusiastic about how the angle came to be, but I'm glad it's happening. Dolph can benefit by working with Cena based on the way they've set it up, and we don't get the opportunity to say that very often. Working with Cena can often be a losing game before the game even begins, but not for Dolph. Dolph will come out a better star, with a better future and even more potential, as a result.
The timing couldn't be any better for Dolph either. You have TLC and likely a win over Cena. Then, you move on to the Rumble where he might not win, but if he's in it, should make it to the very end and put on a good showing. Elimination Chamber provides another good opportunity for Dolph as well to at least be in one of the main events. Then, of course, WrestleMania is next and if he's not World Champion by then, he will be before that night is over.
The MITB contract is going to ultimately be the best investment WWE could have made in Dolph. They didn't rush having him cash in and it's led us to a program with John Cena that I can't imagine was on the itinerary when he first won the briefcase. He's already benefitted from the angle, too, both verbally and physically. A win would keep him moving upward; a loss, while not the end of the world, would certainly be a setback.
If you're tired of everyone, including me, singing the praises of Dolph Ziggler, don't expect it to stop anytime soon. He continues to impress on his own, but now he's got Vince McMahon fully behind him and setting him up to impress even further. It's really been an incredible ride to watch so far. And it's only just beginning.
