In Focus - WWE
Mysterio's suspension is Ziggler's opportunity...
by: Lord Charlemagne
On the heels of the announcement that Rey Mysterio was suspended for 30 days due to his first violation of the WWE Wellness Policy, we can expect the ascension of Dolph Ziggler to finally be realized. According to WWE.Com, Mysterio will begin serving his suspension on Wednesday, September 2nd. This time-frame gives Mysterio the opportunity to drop the Intercontinental Championship as the Tuesday night SmackDown taping. With Ziggler having earned a title shot at the Breaking Point PPV, expect an angle that leads to Ziggler getting his shot next Tuesday night. Expect Ziggler to finally beat Mysterio for the strap.
On the last two WWE PPV's, Mysterio narrowly escaped with the title around his waist. The program between Mysterio & Ziggler was compelling because many wrestling pundits expected Ziggler to win the Intercontinental Title at Summer Slam. Very rarely does a rising talent lose two straight PPV title matches, but Ziggler did. In my opinion, it made me more interested in Ziggler BECAUSE he lost those matches. He showed so much potential in those matches, but still lost to the smaller Mysterio. Their encounters continued to bring back some much needed prestige to the Title that initially started with Chris Jericho winning his record 9th. Jericho & Mysterio made the Intercontinental Championship important again & it continued with Ziggler's attempts to wrestle it away from Mysterio. It seems Ziggler will finally achieve his goal.
Mysterio's suspension is puzzling as it was well known that the WWE promised Mysterio a long reign as Intercontinental Champion. It is also well known that Mysterio is important to SmackDown as he is a popluar draw for the Hispanic demographic. It is the main reason he was brought back to the brand. Having recently signed a contract extension & given the Intercontinental Title, it is unknown why Mysterio would have done anything to jeopordize his position within the company. As punishment for his violation, I believe that, upon his return, Mysterio will immediately be inserted back into the IC Title picture, but will come up on the losing end. Indeed, by that time, Ziggler will have long established his Championship pedigree.
If I were on the SmackDown booking committee, I would throw the fans a swerve by having Mysterio drop the Intercontinental Championship to someone other than Ziggler. The reasoning for this is two-fold. It affords Ziggler the right to win the Title on the all-important PPV stage & it keep the fans interested as what they expected to happen, didn't. The best candidate for a transitional champion is R-Truth.
Another scenario could have Mysterio dropping the Title to John Morrison. Then, at Breaking Point, Ziggler again fails to capture the Title. After the loss, Ziggler reaches his "breaking point" & snaps. He attacks Morrison after the match & beats him mercilessly. This angle would immediately set up a program between Morrison & Ziggler. It would also elevate both Morrison as a favorite & Ziggler as a heel.
On the last two WWE PPV's, Mysterio narrowly escaped with the title around his waist. The program between Mysterio & Ziggler was compelling because many wrestling pundits expected Ziggler to win the Intercontinental Title at Summer Slam. Very rarely does a rising talent lose two straight PPV title matches, but Ziggler did. In my opinion, it made me more interested in Ziggler BECAUSE he lost those matches. He showed so much potential in those matches, but still lost to the smaller Mysterio. Their encounters continued to bring back some much needed prestige to the Title that initially started with Chris Jericho winning his record 9th. Jericho & Mysterio made the Intercontinental Championship important again & it continued with Ziggler's attempts to wrestle it away from Mysterio. It seems Ziggler will finally achieve his goal.
Mysterio's suspension is puzzling as it was well known that the WWE promised Mysterio a long reign as Intercontinental Champion. It is also well known that Mysterio is important to SmackDown as he is a popluar draw for the Hispanic demographic. It is the main reason he was brought back to the brand. Having recently signed a contract extension & given the Intercontinental Title, it is unknown why Mysterio would have done anything to jeopordize his position within the company. As punishment for his violation, I believe that, upon his return, Mysterio will immediately be inserted back into the IC Title picture, but will come up on the losing end. Indeed, by that time, Ziggler will have long established his Championship pedigree.
If I were on the SmackDown booking committee, I would throw the fans a swerve by having Mysterio drop the Intercontinental Championship to someone other than Ziggler. The reasoning for this is two-fold. It affords Ziggler the right to win the Title on the all-important PPV stage & it keep the fans interested as what they expected to happen, didn't. The best candidate for a transitional champion is R-Truth.
Another scenario could have Mysterio dropping the Title to John Morrison. Then, at Breaking Point, Ziggler again fails to capture the Title. After the loss, Ziggler reaches his "breaking point" & snaps. He attacks Morrison after the match & beats him mercilessly. This angle would immediately set up a program between Morrison & Ziggler. It would also elevate both Morrison as a favorite & Ziggler as a heel.