Dolph Ziggler
Chris Jericho, Edge, Triple H … Dolph Ziggler.

In 2014, The Showoff joined that elite list of Superstars, who have captured the Intercontinental Championship on four occasions. Ziggler didn’t mark the milestone with confetti or a cake made in his image. Instead, at WWE TLC, he simply stole the show. Like he does. Every single night.

To give Dolph his due, it’s worth recalling that early in 2014 The Showoff appeared to be questioning his motivation and his very role in WWE. It was the WWE Universe, however, that knew precisely where Ziggler belonged — at the top. Fans refused to throw in the towel, and that support began to pay dividends when Dolph played an instrumental role in ridding WWE of The Authority at Survivor Series. Ziggler debuted with WWE in 2008, making him a seasoned veteran among the roster, but he’s still young enough to remain a vibrant and relevant force among the current crop of newer Superstars. It’s an exciting and advantageous position for him to find himself.

Evidence that this will be The Year of The Showoff only continues to mount. And in the words of Dolph himself, “I set out to set the bar and what it means to be the best in this business.” For 2015, that means the best is yet to come. — Greg Adkins

Source: WWE.com

When looking at who had the best 2014, it’s easiest to start with the guy who had the worst 2013, right? Dolph Ziggler’s fall from the mountaintop was as abrupt as it was absolute; the guy was World Heavyweight Champion at Easter, yet was taking a giant candy cane to the head from Fandango on Christmas. The Showoff’s 2014 was poised to be a similarly lost affair as late into the year as June, but then something happened: Dolph started winning. Again, and again, and again. His second — no, third — no, fourth — Intercontinental Championship came, plus a star-making spot in the Survivor Series main event, a run of instant-classic matches that should be required viewing at the Performance Center and a spot as the de facto reviver of said Intercontinental Championship.

He credits the WWE Universe for pulling him out of the woods and back toward the main event, but he’s not giving himself enough credit. He always was this good, this was just the year everyone finally realized what it was they were missing. Zig Man!!! — Anthony Benigno

Source: WWE.com

#1 Dolph Ziggler
Dolph Ziggler didn’t have a chip on his shoulder at the start of 2014 — he had a whole lumberyard. The Showoff couldn’t contain his frustration with the people in charge anymore. “I will not be outshined!” he screamed in a Jan. 31 interview.

Despite a pair of Intercontinental Title reigns, he couldn’t convince the powers that be. So late in 2014 at Survivor Series, Ziggler took out the people who were holding him down. As the only member of his team left standing at Survivor Series against Luke Harper, Kane and Seth Rollins, Ziggler finally shut his critics up. A Zig Zag took Kane out. A roll-up finished Harper. Superkicks stopped J&J Security from interfering before a Zig Zag — and help from Sting — allowed The Showoff to oust The Authority from power.

For a follow-up performance, Ziggler turned that lumberyard on his shoulder into gold by capturing his record-tying third Intercontinental Championship in the same year. Follow that. — Jeff Laboon

Source: WWE.com