Oklafan.com v5 Beta > Columns > Ric Flair: Is Managing Dolph Ziggler Really the Best Thing for the Superstar?

Home
Columns

Ric Flair: Is Managing Dolph Ziggler Really the Best Thing for the Superstar?

Posted: Jun 24th 2012 By: mikeiles

Forget all the monikers and the ideas that Dolph Ziggler could be the ?Next Shawn Michaels? or the ?Next so and so.? Let?s just concentrate on the wrestler, who he is now and how someone like Ric Flair (who has been released from TNA and appears to be making his way back to the WWE) could help him win a world title.

I know that was a mouthful, and trust me, there is more where that came from, but I wonder if the move, if it were to happen, is really in the best interest of Ziggler, who appears to be ready for the next step in his WWE career.

I?m talking long-term world-title holder. Not a cup of coffee here and there, but someone, like a Michaels or a Randy Savage, who could be the next big thing in the WWE. Someone who can carry the belt (like a CM Punk) and challenge everyone on the WWE roster.

Back in the day, it was Ric Flair who traveled from territory to territory to face the best the region had to offer. And while Flair faced better talent than Ziggler will ever see in the WWE, he can still show he can go through everyone and remain the company?s champion.

Whether that happens as a face or heel remains to be seen, but I suspect it will more than likely take some getting used to by the fans if we see Ziggler (best porn name in the wrestling business this side of Matt Stryker) as a face taking on Brock Lesnar.

Also, remember that Shawn Michaels was a heel on his own, managed by Sherri Martel before he became the beloved superstar that he is today.

Flair?s antics in TNA (which led to his eventual firing) at the end of his run, where he missed arena dates and ran up huge hotel bills, were consistent with how the former NWA and WCW star has fallen from grace. Now that his daughter, Ashley, has signed a developmental contract with the WWE, Flair appears to be headed back up north in some capacity.

Personally, if he were to feud with Paul Heyman and there was a rivalry between Lesnar and Ziggler, it may be a benefit to the company and the fans.

I in no way assume that Ziggler can do for the WWE what wrestlers like Randy Orton, John Cena and CM Punk have done for it. That would be expecting too much too soon.

Also, what happens to Jack Swagger? While the combination of Swagger and Ziggler has been typical of some stables in the past, I am not sold on Swagger becoming anything more than mid-level at best.

What happens to Vickie Guerrero? She appears to be better at being a one-wrestler manager. Can she help Swagger attain world-title status again?

Wrestling is one of those businesses where we want to see the things that worked in the past, like managers and tag teams and matches that left us wanting more. Promotions?or in this case, the WWE?have gone to the well so many times that the product is not as good as the first time.

It?s hard to make the entertainment in the ring look like a first-run idea. It may have worked with bull rope matches and table matches years ago, but it is lost on us today as a new version of the old scene.

We certainly do not want Ziggler to be cast as something old in the mold of a guy who is clearly out of his element right now.

So before we all get jazzed about what may happen with Ziggler and the return of Ric Flair (if we are excited in the first place), let?s assess whether having an angle like this is the best thing for Ziggler himself, and then whether someone who appears to be on his last legs after once being the best there ever was can pull off something great instead of being an embarrassment.

Supplemental Information

Upcoming Events

There are currently no upcoming appearences.

Complete Calendar

Spotlight in History

2002 The Professionals (John Zorthos & Julian Wolfenbarger) became the ACW Tag Team Champions
2016 Ricky Starks def. Ky-Ote for the IWR Revolutionary Title
2022 London Calling (Dutch Hagen & Richie Adams) def. Toxic Masculinity (Johnny Lightning & Johnny Dynamite) for the WFC Tag Team Titles
2022 Martin Justice def. Tyler Watts for the EPW International Title
2022 Logan Knight def. Kareem Sadat for the EPW All-American Title
2022 Olivier Vegos def. Danni Bee for the NCWO Women's Title

Week of Sun 09-20 to Sat: 09-26

09-20 1978 Jose Lothario def. Assassin 1 for the TSW Louisiana Title
09-20 1985 The Von Erichs (Kerry Von Erich & Kevin Von Erich) def. The Dynamic Duo (Gino Hernandez & Chris Adams) for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
09-20 2008 Michael Barry def. Angel Williams for the IZW Heavyweight Title
09-20 2008 New Canada (The Canadian Red Devil & The Canadian Luchadore) became the ComPro Tag Team Champions
09-20 2008 The Gentlemen Thugs (Cast-Iron Cothern & Shane Morbid) def. New Canada (The Canadian Red Devil & The Canadian Luchadore) for the ComPro Tag Team Titles
09-20 2009 Jermaine Johnson def. Ky-ote Joe for the MSWA Oklahoma Title
09-20 2013 Mike Foxx def. Tim Storm for the NWA-TXO Heavyweight Title
09-20 2013 Genesis (Carrion Arcane & Kristopher Haiden) def. The Rock Star Mafia (Dane Griffin & Armani) for the NWA-TXO Tag Team Titles
09-20 2013 The Rock Star Mafia (Dane Griffin & Armani) def. Genesis (Carrion Arcane & Kristopher Haiden) for the NWA-TXO Tag Team Titles
09-20 2014 Kevin Morgan & became the IZW Tag Team Champions
09-20 2014 Jordan Jacobs def. Drake Gallows for the IZW Impact Division Title
09-20 2014 Claudia def. Bree Ann for the NWA-TXO Rose Title
09-20 2014 The Brotherhood (Kyng Benjamin & Akuma Jones) def. A. C. Slaughter (Aaron Anders & Clint Cassidy) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
09-20 2014 Fuel def. Tim Rockwell for the UWE Heavyweight Title
09-20 2025 Gideon Vane became the EPW International Champion
09-20 2025 Miles Bane became the NAW Openweight Champion
09-20 2026 Neo Genesis def. T. J. Spade for the ASP WTF Title
09-21 1954 Johnny Valentine def. Joe Christie for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
09-21 2002 Shadow of Death def. Terry Montana for the OCW Oklahoma Hardcore Title
09-21 2012 Tim Storm became the NWA-TXO Heavyweight Champion
09-21 2012 Kyra Maya became the NWA-TXO Rose Champion
09-21 2013 Nasty Swag (Robert Lee & Ace Archuleta) became the UWE Tag Team Champions
09-21 2019 Slice & Kill (Skylar Slice & Killista) def. The Proclamation (Ethan Cole & Reed) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
09-21 2024 Brandon Warhawk def. Seth Daniels for the UWE Apex Title
09-21 2024 Fuel def. Killbane for the UWE Heavyweight Title
09-21 2024 Party Bird Crew (Smitty & Birdman) def. Black Flag Rising (Anarchy [2nd] & Faded Ghoul) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
09-21 2024 Super Crash Brothers (Badger James & Trench Blythe) def. Party Bird Crew (Smitty & Birdman) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
09-21 2026 T. J. Spade def. Will Chambers for the CAPW Heavyweight Title
09-22 1971 Bill Watts def. Dusty Rhodes for the TSW North American Title
09-22 2001 Jenna Love became the OPW Oklahoma Womens Champion
09-22 2001 Justin Lee def. Dexter Hardaway for the OPW Oklahoma Light Heavyweight Title
09-22 2012 Crossfire Morrison def. Drake Gallows for the SWCW Hardcore Title
09-22 2012 Kareem Sadat def. Crossfire Morrison for the SWCW Hardcore Title
09-22 2023 Tommy Prince became the TexPro Dynasty Champion
09-22 2023 Nashoba became the MajCW 24/7 On Call Champion
09-22 2023 Skidz def. Nashoba for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
09-22 2023 Oscar Amazing def. Skidz for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
09-22 2026 Billie the Kiid def. Neo Genesis for the ASP WTF Title
09-22 2026 Neo Genesis def. Billie the Kiid for the ASP WTF Title
09-23 1974 Tex McKenzie & Johnny Valentine def. The Blackjacks (Blackjack Mulligan & Blackjack Lanza) for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
09-23 1975 Jose Lothario def. Billy Graham for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
09-23 2000 Grenade def. Ichiban [2nd] for the OPW Oklahoma Light Heavyweight Title
09-23 2016 Xavior became the MSWA Mid-South Cruiserweight Champion
09-23 2016 Nikki Knight def. Skylar Slice for the MSWA Ladies Title
09-23 2016 Psycho Mike def. Brock Landers for the MSWA Oklahoma Title
09-23 2017 Kikutaro def. Ryan Davidson for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Title
09-23 2017 Dusty Gold def. Randy Price for the IZW Impact Division Title
09-23 2017 Erica def. Paige Turner for the IZW Womens Title
09-23 2017 Double D def. Kevin Morgan for the IZW Heavyweight Title
09-23 2017 Drake Gallows def. Sam Stackhouse for the BCW Buzzsaw Title
09-23 2017 Xavior def. C. J. Ward for the MSWA Mid-South Heavyweight Title
09-23 2017 The Omega (O’Brien & O’Malley) def. The Cursed (Blade [2nd] & Kuda) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Titles
09-23 2023 Skidz def. Oscar Amazing for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
09-23 2023 Koko def. Dan Webber for the UWE Heavyweight Title
09-23 2023 Sweetness (Cappuccino Jones & Romeo Reese) def. Southern Aristocracy (Eddie LeVaughn & Anthony Wild) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
09-23 2023 Killbane def. Leo Fox for the UWE Apex Title
09-24 2002 The Professionals (John Zorthos & Julian Wolfenbarger) became the ACW Tag Team Champions
09-24 2016 Ricky Starks def. Ky-Ote for the IWR Revolutionary Title
09-24 2022 London Calling (Dutch Hagen & Richie Adams) def. Toxic Masculinity (Johnny Lightning & Johnny Dynamite) for the WFC Tag Team Titles
09-24 2022 Martin Justice def. Tyler Watts for the EPW International Title
09-24 2022 Logan Knight def. Kareem Sadat for the EPW All-American Title
09-24 2022 Olivier Vegos def. Danni Bee for the NCWO Women's Title
09-25 1965 Don Kent def. Red McKim for the TSW Missouri Junior Heavyweight Title
09-25 1981 The Great Kabuki def. Kerry Von Erich for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
09-25 1999 Big Daddy Moore def. Rocco Valentino for the OPW Oklahoma Heavyweight Title
09-25 1999 The Casualties of War (Malice & Shrapnel) def. Red Eagle & Night Hawk for the OPW Oklahoma Tag Team Titles
09-25 1999 Kid Flash def. Tarantula for the OPW Oklahoma Light Heavyweight Title
09-25 2004 Michael Barry def. Brandon Groom for the NWA-OK Oklahoma Heavyweight Title
09-25 2010 Wage def. Bernie D for the IZW Impact Division Title
09-26 1978 Terry Latham & Ricky Fields def. Seigfried Stanke & Kurt Von Hess for the TSW Louisiana Tag Team Titles
09-26 1984 Adrian Street def. Terry Taylor for the MSW Television Title
09-26 2004 John O'Malley def. Mr. Brown for the ACW Hardcore Title
09-26 2009 Jeremy Quinn III became the ACW Heavyweight Champion
09-26 2014 Paul Puertorico def. Matt Majestic for the SRPW United States Title
09-26 2020 Brian Dixon def. Ethan Cole for the BPW Lion Heart Title
09-26 2020 The Ritual (Samedi & Shadow Gemini) became the BPW Oklahoma Tag Team Champions
09-26 2025 Riley Grinn def. Tommy Dean for the BUW No Pressure Title

09-24

Len Rossi Sep 24th Today!
Joe Jones Sep 24th Today!
John J. Bishop Sep 24th Today!
Kai Fayden Sep 24th Today!
Jason Bruce Sep 24th Today!
Connor Crunk Sep 24th Today!
Clayton Bloodstone Sep 24th Today!
Chief Mike Sep 25th
Angel [2nd] Sep 25th
Toots Estes Sep 25th
Jimmy Garvin Sep 25th
Lone Eagle Sep 26th
Clifton Clinstock Sep 26th
Kendo Nagasaki Sep 26th
BB Sep 26th
Ka$haNova Sep 26th
Jhamil O$Neal Sep 26th
Chris Matthews Sep 26th
Ben Miller Sep 27th
Tyler Cordingley Sep 27th
Angel Camacho Sep 27th
Alec Bisogno Sep 27th
Scott Lee Sep 28th
Billy Ray [2nd] Sep 28th
Trey Count Sep 28th
Rip Tyler Sep 28th
Kamille Sep 28th
Tommy Prince Sep 28th
David Sammartino Sep 29th
Bang Bang Bennett Sep 29th
Skandar Akbar Sep 29th
Ann Casey Sep 29th
Marlboro Slim Sep 30th
Kidd Riggs Sep 30th
Fred Urban Sep 30th
Raymon Downey Sep 30th
Seth Coburn Sep 30th
Lady Starwind Sep 30th
Hector Guerrero Oct 1st
Abilene Maverick Oct 2nd
Cold Blooded Chris Oct 2nd
Funnybone Oct 2nd
Waldo Von Erich Oct 2nd
James Southard Oct 2nd
Mike Foxx Oct 2nd
Abilene Maverick Oct 2nd
Don Fargo Oct 3rd
Johnny TV Oct 3rd
Crystal White Oct 3rd
P. Y. Chu-Hi Oct 4th
Studd Lee Oct 4th
Dick Hutton Oct 4th
Tim Geohagen Oct 4th
Violent V Oct 4th
Bobby Fulton Oct 4th
Jay Strongbow, Sr. Oct 4th
T-Arsenal Oct 4th
Abyss Oct 4th
Joaquin Wilde Oct 5th
Dennis Heflin Oct 5th
Mr. Nasty Oct 6th
Paloma Starr Oct 6th
Spike Oct 6th
Rip Oliver Oct 6th
Smash Oct 6th
Terry Orndorff Oct 7th
Tennessee Rebel Oct 7th
Nelly Rivers Oct 7th
Rhino Oct 7th
Frankie V Oct 7th

2002 The Professionals (John Zorthos & Julian Wolfenbarger) became the ACW Tag Team Champions
2016 Ricky Starks def. Ky-Ote for the IWR Revolutionary Title
2022 London Calling (Dutch Hagen & Richie Adams) def. Toxic Masculinity (Johnny Lightning & Johnny Dynamite) for the WFC Tag Team Titles
2022 Martin Justice def. Tyler Watts for the EPW International Title
2022 Logan Knight def. Kareem Sadat for the EPW All-American Title
2022 Olivier Vegos def. Danni Bee for the NCWO Women's Title

More Look Back In History

Card Results

Current Champions

All Star Pro

WTF Champion
Neo Genesis

Heavyweight Champion: Gatekeeper
Tag Team Champions: Team Barricade
5-Star Champion: Will Chambers
Livestream Champion: Mitch Onyx