Here’s an update on Dolph Ziggler’s new deal with WWE and the reasoning behind it.
It’s been recently reported by Sports Illustrated that Smackdown wrestler Dolph Ziggler has recently signed a two-year deal with WWE that’s worth $1.5 million per year. Justin Barrasso from Sports Illustrated has also stated that Ziggler’s previous contract was for $1 million. However, as his salary has reportedly increased, Barrasso implied that the WWE paying Ziggler that much money would indicate that he is indeed a necessary asset for the company.
“Despite rumors that Ziggler was destined to leave, and he would have fit in perfectly with the Bullet Club in Japan and his merchandise would adorn Hot Topic, he made the decision that his brand was best served by staying in WWE,” Barrasso said. “The company decided to overpay Ziggler, who would deliver five-star matches with Kazuchika Okada in New Japan, indicating that he is considered a necessary piece of the WWE machine.”
There’s no doubt that Ziggler is a talented in-ring performer and a veteran presence for the company. With that said, with the way Ziggler has been booked for past year — and some may argue for the past few years — WWE may want to rethink if paying Ziggler that much money is worth it in the long run. It’s at least understandable if a rising superstar such as Shinsuke Nakamura or Braun Strowman were to be paid that much, but considering how Ziggler’s popularity with the WWE has diminished for quite some time, is he really worth that much?
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And now that he’s apparently signed this new deal, will he be booked as a main event star, or will he be considered a mid-card wrestler that loses to upcoming talent? As WrestleMania 34 is on the horizon, it’s also going to be interesting on if Ziggler will have any involvement with the WWE’s biggest show of the year.