Dolph Ziggler: Great Wrestler or Greatest Wrestler?

Dolph Ziggler recently claimed that 2014 was his "career year." I take that to mean one of two things: either the pride of Hollywood, FL believes that he had the best year of any WWE superstar or he feels like 2014 was the best year he has assembled to date.

Some measure professional wrestlers by way of memorable moments, others by merchandise sales, but I prefer good old-fashioned athletic acumen, as represented by Wrestler Wrankings points! With that in mind, let's tackle each of these assertions, one at a time.

WRESTLER WRANKINGS, CALENDAR YEAR 2014 *TOP TEN*

1. Rusev -- 101 points

2. Sheamus -- 95.5

3. Dolph Ziggler -- 95

4. John Cena -- 86

5. Seth Rollins -- 73

6. Cesaro -- 72.5

7. Big E -- 63.5

8. Daniel Bryan -- 55

9. Randy Orton -- 53.5

10. Bray Wyatt -- 51.5

As you can see, Dolph fell just short in his quest to dominate 2014, but falling just short of perennial Wrankings powerhouse, Sheamus, and the emergent Rusev is nothing to swivel your hips suggestively at. If anything, this list only serves to underline just how dominant Rusev has been. Don't forget, the apple of Vladimir Putin's eye did not debut in earnest until mid-April. We are witnessing a truly special run here, people. Put your personal politics aside and savor it.

Turning our attention back to Dolph Ziggler now. How did his impressive 2014 compare to his recent performances?Again, we'll use Wrestler Wrankings points as our metric of choice.

DOLPH ZIGGLER'S WRESTLER WRANKINGS TOTALS *FOR CALENDAR YEARS 2011-2014*

2011: 64.5 points

2012: 41.5 points

2013: 74 points

2014: 95 points

Some things are exactly what they seem, indeed. This data clearly show that, in addition to some memorable moments and impressive merchandise sales, Dolph Ziggler has truly outdone himself this year, in a competitive sense. The Intercontinental Championship is in sure hands.

So to answer the question posed in the title: Dolph Ziggler is merely a GREAT wrestler. And that will have to do... at least until next year.

***

OFFICIAL WRESTLER WRANKINGS FORMULA

ANY WIN = 2 POINTS

US OR INTERCONTINENTAL TITLE BOUT = 1 POINT

WWE WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE BOUT = 3 POINTS

NON "BIG 4" PPV BONUS = 1.5X

SUMMERSLAM, SURVIVOR SERIES, ROYAL RUMBLE = 2X BONUS

WRESTLEMANIA = 3X BONUS

The WWE season begins on the day after WrestleMania 30 and culminates with WrestleMania 31. The wrestler who accumulates the most points over the course of the season, wins the coveted Wrankings Championship!

Monday Night Raw -- 12/22/14

Dolph Ziggler - 3 points (IC title bout, win)

Luke Harper - 1 point (IC title bout, win)

Roman Reigns - 2 points (win)

Bray Wyatt - 2 points (win)

John Cena - 2 points (win)

Miz - 2 points (win)

Fandango - 2 points (win)

R-Truth - 2 points (win)

Main Event-- 12/23/14

Bray Wyatt - 2 points (win)

Luke Harper - 2 points (win)

Smackdown -- 12/26/15

Dean Ambrose - 3 points (US title bout, win)

Rusev - 1 point (US title bout, no win)

Adam Rose - 2 point (win)

Ryback - 2 point (win)

Jimmy Uso - 2 point (win)

Monday Night Raw -- 12/29/14

Dolph Ziggler - 2 points (win)

Roman Reigns - 2 points (win)

Bad News Barrett - 2 points (win)

Luke Harper - 2 points (win)

Main Event-- 12/30/14

Titus O'neil - 2 points (win)

Smackdown -- 1/2/15

Bray Wyatt - 2 points (win)

Big Show - 2 point (win)

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WRESTLER WRANKINGS, WEEK 40 *TOP TEN*

1. RUSEV -- 101 points

2. Dolph Ziggler -- 80

3. Seth Rollins -- 71

4. Sheamus -- 65

5. John Cena -- 59.5

6. Cesaro -- 57.5

7. Bo Dallas -- 50.5

8. Roman Reigns -- 47

9. Dean Ambrose -- 45

10. Bad News Barrett -- 39

Thanks for reading, Cagesiders. We'll see you back here next week!