Shane Douglas believes that Dolph Ziggler’s WWE career would have gone further had the promotion not been so inconsistent with his booking.
Ziggler was the biggest name cut from WWE on September 21, 2023, ending his 19-year tenure under contract with the promotion.
Speaking on his “Franchise University” podcast, Douglas had praise for the two-time WWE World Heavyweight Champion. He said,
“I’ve been a big Dolph fan for a long time. He was really vastly underused in my belief.
“I’m not privy to their dressing room, the things that go on, but it always seemed to me from afar … he’d be getting a little bit of a push, and all of a sudden he would disappear for two or three months. And to me, that was the entirety of his career, this herky-jerky ‘We’ll see you for a little bit, we won’t see you.’
“And to me, a guy with that kind of extensive amateur background, those earmarks that he had that were very reminiscent of Shawn Michaels at a younger age, and the fact that he was so telegenic …That it just never [happened], it boggled my mind.
“Like Steve Austin said, ‘If Vince wants you over, he’ll strap a rocket to your ass.’ And I don’t ever recall seeing that with Dolph. But I think this could be a boon to AEW, and I’m curious to see what Dolph does now.”
If Ziggler hopes to wrestle for AEW, he will have to wait for his 90-day non-compete clause to expire on December 20.
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Dolph Ziggler’s WWE Career Hindered by Inconsistent Booking, Says Shane Douglas
Dolph Ziggler, a former WWE superstar, could have achieved even greater success in his career if the promotion had been more consistent with his booking, according to wrestling veteran Shane Douglas. Ziggler, who was released from WWE on September 21, 2023, after a 19-year tenure with the company, has been praised by Douglas for his talent and potential.
During an episode of the “Franchise University” podcast, Douglas expressed his admiration for Ziggler and his belief that the wrestler was underutilized during his time in WWE. He mentioned that Ziggler would often receive a push and then suddenly disappear from television for months at a time. This inconsistent treatment puzzled Douglas, especially considering Ziggler’s extensive amateur background and telegenic presence, which reminded him of a young Shawn Michaels.
Douglas referenced Steve Austin’s famous quote about Vince McMahon strapping a rocket to someone’s back if he wants them to succeed. However, he noted that he never saw that level of support for Ziggler during his WWE career. Despite this, Douglas believes that Ziggler’s departure from WWE could be a positive move for him and potentially benefit All Elite Wrestling (AEW).
If Ziggler intends to join AEW, he will have to wait until his 90-day non-compete clause expires on December 20. This clause is a standard practice in the wrestling industry to prevent wrestlers from immediately joining a rival promotion after leaving their previous company.
Ziggler’s career in WWE was not without notable moments. One of his most memorable achievements was cashing in the Money in the Bank contract to become the World Heavyweight Champion on an episode of Raw in April 2013. This moment showcased Ziggler’s ability to seize opportunities and capture championship gold.
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In conclusion, Shane Douglas believes that Dolph Ziggler’s WWE career could have reached greater heights if the promotion had been more consistent with his booking. Despite this, Ziggler’s departure from WWE presents new opportunities for him, and fans are eagerly awaiting his next move, potentially in AEW.