Hey guys I'm back, over the last couple of weeks I made several lists of Essential Career Matches for wrestlers such as: John Cena, Undertaker, Triple H, Chris Jericho and Randy Orton this week I made a list of Dolph Ziggler's best matches that are essential to watch if you're an Dolph Ziggler fan. A few other reasons I decided to make this list was because he was in one of the main-events for Summerslam this week, his longevity in the company and because a lot of people criticised his match at Summerslam, so I thought that I’d try highlight a few of his decent matches. These collection of matches comes from Dave Meltzer (his matches feature his ratings for matches rated 3 1/2+), and matches that I believe are good too (these matches will be included in honourable mentions). Also since a few people have commented on these posts saying 'stop throwing lists at us with no information' I have tried to include little facts, moments and brief details and descriptions for a few of the matches listed. I have also tried to add a link to each match as well, although with some matches it was difficult to get full high quality matches - videos come from either WWE Network, YouTube or DailyMotion. Also if you're into posts about Match lists and whatnot check out my other lists on this post (Matches from 2011-2016), this post (Matches from 2005 - 2010), and also this post (Matches from 2000 - 2004). Lastly, I used Meltzlers ratings as a guide but make sure to make your own opinion (or rating in this case) about the matches. Just cause he gives something a 3, doesn't mean it it isn't a 5 to you!
2009:
- Dolph Ziggler Vs Rey Mysterio – Summerslam 2009 – 3 ¾* - This was still Dolph Zigglers first year as his new persona since leaving the gimmick of a male cheerleader. He got to show off his skills early in his fun with the experienced veteran of Rey Mysterio.
2010:
- Dolph Ziggler Vs Kane Vs Christian Vs Cody Rhodes Vs Drew McIntyre Vs Kofi Kingston Vs Matt Hardy Vs The Big Show - Money in the Bank 2010 - Money in the Bank Ladder Match - 4*
- Dolph Ziggler Vs Daniel Bryan - Bragging Rights 2010 - Champion Vs. Champion, Inter-promotional Match - 3 ½* - Two young champions, representing their retrospective brand and putting on a classic between each other. This match opened the show and I have talked quite highly about it before. Personally wish the rating on this match was much higher. They would go on to have two great matches the following week on Raw and Smackdown.
2011:
- Dolph Ziggler Vs Edge – Royal Rumble 2011 – 3 ½* - This was Dolph’s real first push at the World Championship scene, and who better to have a program with then the Rated R Superstar, Edge. Personally I wish this match was Edge’s match at that Wrestlemania instead of Alberto Del Rio.
- Dolph Ziggler Vs Zack Ryder - TLC 2011 - 3 ½* - This match between two friends really goes to show how well they work together in the ring. This was Zack Ryder’s first ‘coming out’ party to the WWE Universe, it was his turn to show how good he was.
2012:
- Dolph Ziggler Vs Christian Vs Cody Rhodes Vs Damien Sandow Vs Santino Marella Vs Sin Cara Vs Tensai Vs Tyson Kidd - Money in the Bank 2012 - Money in the Bank Ladder Match - 4* - This was the first time WWE tested pulling the trigger on Ziggler, by allowing him to have his moment to capture the Money in the Bank briefcase. Fun, fast and impactful match, one of the best Money in the Bank matches.
- Dolph Ziggler Vs Chris Jericho - Summerslam 2012 - 3 ½* - Jericho had finally turned face after a so/so heel run in early 2012 and his first opponent was going to be the ‘show off’ Dolph Ziggler in a great and very underrated/forgotten Summerslam match. They would go on to have a rematch on the following Raw but with the stakes much higher as it was Ziggler’s Briefcase Vs. Jericho’s Contract.
- Dolph Ziggler Vs Chris Jericho – Raw 20/08/2012 – Dolphs MITB Briefcase Vs Chris Jerichos Raw Contract - 3 ½*
- Dolph Ziggler Vs Randy Orton - Night of Champions 2012 – 3 ¾* - After Jericho had left WWE, Ziggler had to hold his place as a one of the top stars; what better way the facing one of the wrestlers who had been their for 10+ years - Randy Orton. He would feud with him for a couple of months; unfortunately he lost this match against Orton (which a lot of people thought was wrong at the time) but that wouldn't kill his momentum.
- Dolph Ziggler, Alberto Del Rio, Damien Sandow, David Otunga & Wade Barrett Vs Daniel Bryan, Kane, Kofi Kingston, Randy Orton & The Miz - Survivor Series 2012 - Traditional Survivor Series Match - 3 ½* - Many people within WWE saw that Ziggler was a star and that’s one of the reasons this match ended the way it did – as Ziggler being the soul survivor for his team and yet again stealing the show.
- Dolph Ziggler Vs John Cena - TLC 2012 - Ladder Match - 4* - This match really did solidify Ziggler as the next big star in WWE. Let’s do a checklist of his 2012; fantastic WWE title match against CM Punk at Royal Rumble, check. Money in the Bank winner, check. Great matches with Jericho, check. Soul survivor at Survivor Series, check. Main event against John Cena, check. And the final one, defeat John Cena, check.
2013:
- Dolph Ziggler Vs Alberto Del Rio - Payback 2013 - 3 ½* - After Dolph’s Ziggler Cash In on Alberto Del Rio things took a turn for the worse when he unfortunately suffered a concussion. WWE officials backstage saw this as a hazard and knew the title had to be taken off him, however that gave us this great match (which featured a rare double turn) and a fun rematch at the following PPV, Money in the Bank.
2014:
- Dolph Ziggler Vs Seth Rollins Vs Dean Ambrose Vs Rob Van Dam Vs Kofi Kingston Vs Jack Swagger - Money in the Bank 2014 - Money in the Bank Ladder Match - 4 ½*
- Dolph Ziggler, Erick Rowan, John Cena, Ryback & The Big Show Vs Kane, Luke Harper, Mark Henry, Rusev & Seth Rollins - Survivor Series 2014 - Traditional Survivor Series Match - 4 ½* - A lot of people didn’t really see Ziggler as a ‘big-star player’ in 2014; he was moved away from the World Championships and pushed to more mid-card feuds for the Intercontintental Championships. However, to much peoples surprise he ‘stole the show’ yet again and was the soul survivor for his team; in one of the best Traditional Survivor Series Tag-Team Matches of all time.
- Dolph Ziggler Vs Luke Harper - TLC 2014 - Ladder Match - 3 ¾* - Coming off the very-successful NXT Takeover show earlier that week WWE, were in a pickle as they were coming into their worst period for PPV’s; the December month. Fortunately, this match is the highlight of that show and steals the show in the opening match; however unfortunately for the rest of the card it was hard for any other match to beat this match.
2015:
- Dolph Ziggler Vs Sheamus Vs Kane Vs Kofi Kingston Vs Neville Vs Randy Orton Vs Roman Reigns - Money in the Bank 2015 - Money in the Bank Ladder Match - 3 ½*
2016:
- Dolph Ziggler Vs Zack Ryder Vs Kevin Owens Vs Sami Zayn Vs Sin Cara Vs Stardust Vs The Miz - Wrestlemania 32 - Ladder Match - 4 ¼* - 7 of WWE’s top mid-card guys going at it, at the ‘biggest’ Wrestlemania of all time. A lot of people consider this one of the only good matches from this Wrestlemania. This match is really fun and allows all participants in the match to get their shots in.
- Dolph Ziggler Vs AJ Styles - Smackdown 23/08/2016 - 3 ¾* - Yes, I know this match is fairly recent as it only happened this week, but Meltzer gave it a high rating and deservingly so. This match was fun from start to bottom; they both go 20+ minutes to show off their skills and have a meaningful match and it will surely be remembered for one of the best Smackdown matches of the year.
Honourable Mentions:
- Spirit Squad Vs D-Generation X – Vengeance 2006 - I had to include at least one Spirit Squad match didn’t I? And what better match then their against one of the most famous tag teams in WWE – D-Generation X. Yeah they were all made to look like jokes against D-Generation X but it’s a fun match doesn’t go too long.
- Dolph Ziggler Vs Batista – Raw 2008 - Dolph Ziggler’s Debut Match.
- Dolph Ziggler Vs John Morrison - Smackdown 11/20/2009 - One of the best 2 Out of 3 Falls match that is really forgotten.
- Dolph Ziggler Vs Daniel Bryan – Smackdown 28/10/2010 - This was their third match in their trilogy that week.
- Dolph Ziggler Vs Kaval - Survivor Series 2010 - Kaval had a short run in WWE, but this is definitely his best match.
- Dolph Ziggler Vs Jack Swagger Vs Kofi Kingston – TLC 2010 - Ladder Match - I’m a sucker for this match, 3 of the main-players for Smackdown on the mid-card in 2010 and I love the ending of this match.
- Dolph Ziggler Vs CM Punk - Raw 21/11/2011 - This was a tease of the CM Punk feud we’d get leading into the 2012 Royal Rumble.
- Dolph Ziggler Vs CM Punk - Royal Rumble 2012 - CM Punks second feud of his championship reign was against Dolph Ziggler and really besides this match it’s pretty forgettable. But nonetheless ignore the addition of John Lauranitis, this match is pretty fun.
- Dolph Ziggler Vs John Cena – Raw 14/01/2013 - Quick Steel Cage match; very fun and helped continue the short Cena/Ziggler feud.
- Dolph Ziggler Vs Alberto Del Rio - Raw 08/04/2013 - The night Ziggler’s career would change forever… or so we thought. Ziggler would finally cash in his Money in the Bank briefcase on a weakened Alberto Del Rio in surprisingly fashion. It is one of the greatest cash-in’s of all time and the pop from the crowd really helps to make the moment.
- Dolph Ziggler Vs Batista - Smackdown 28/02/2014 - Ziggler now being a face would stick up for himself (and wrestlers of his size) at the start of 2014 when he was placed in a match against Batista on Smackdown. Very fun match; good to see Batista not just fighting ‘main-event’ stars but also stars that could get a rub from him.
- Dolph Ziggler Vs The Miz - Summerslam 2014 - This was the opener for the show; and it is a really fun match between the two. When you work with someone you trust and have been friends with for a long time in the match you get perfection.
- Dolph Ziggler Vs Cesaro - Hell in a Cell 2014 - This match happened because a lot of traded back and forth wins between the two; so the Authority decided to make this match a 2 Out of 3 Falls match. However; surprisingly Ziggler would win two straight falls. Many people speculated this was punishment because Cesaro has bad-mouthed WWE higher-ups about Cena/Orton.
- Dolph Ziggler vs. Tyson Kidd vs. Cesaro - Smackdown 14/11/2014 - This match was talked about at the time as the ‘Best Smackdown Match’ that year. It is very good and it just makes you miss Tyson Kidd wrestling so much.
- Dolph Ziggler Vs Daniel Bryan – Raw 30/03/2015 - This match was following the Wrestlemania 31 Ladder Match and it’s very good and gets a special moment from the crowd when they give a standing-ovation to both wrestlers. The ending of the match also has the return of WWE Superstar, Sheamus with a unique new look.
- Dolph Ziggler Vs John Cena - Raw 12/10/2015 - This was one of Cena’s last matches before he would go away (as well as get injured) and it really showcases how great these two mesh with each other; it also is a bit of an improvement on their TLC 2012 match I believe personally.
- Dolph Ziggler Vs Kevin Owens Vs Dean Ambrose - Smackdown 22/12/2015 - This was one of the last matches of 2015, and was called one of the Best Matches of Smackdown in 2015, and it really showcases these three mens skills in the squared circle.
- Dolph Ziggler Vs Triple H – Raw 14/03/2016 - This was one of those matches that people had been waiting to see for a long time; Dolph Ziggler Vs Triple H or Dolph Ziggler Vs The Authority. The people that were ‘keeping Dolph down’. I personally wish this match was at PPV; but hey we got it on Raw and it really showed how good Dolph is when he gets the opportunity.
- Dolph Ziggler Vs John Cena Vs Apollo Crews Vs AJ Styles Vs Bray Wyatt Vs Baron Corbin - Smackdown 26/07/2016 - This was yet another time that WWE, would pull the trigger on Dolph Ziggler and give him a shot being a top star on WWE. The first main-event of the ‘New Era of Smackdown’ had to start with a memorable one and what better way then putting 6 of the best superstars on the roster into this match.
- Dolph Ziggler Vs Dean Ambrose – Summerslam 2016 - Yes another recent match, but hey I may as well put it on; it’s not a bad match but it sure isn’t a great match between the two. This match (as well as the AJ Styles match from Smackdown) should keep you up to date for Dolph’s career.
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