Dolph Ziggler has made a name for himself recently as WWE's biggest showoff. The former Spirit Squad member is generally seen doing sit-ups mid-match as well as strutting in a style similar to the Nature Boy Ric Flair.
Flair is one of wrestling's biggest and most notable names.
He is known as having held the most World Championships among the major promotions in America as well as being one of the best in-ring competitors of all time.
Flair's style has been imitated, but never completely duplicated. He made the jet-setting lifestyle a popular fixture among wrestlers and their characters, but Flair actually lived that way.
Today's wrestling world is not the same as it was when Flair was coming up in the business.
There is more control over substance abuse and less promotions to work for, although not by much.
Ziggler is like Flair in many ways, but they also have their differences.
Ziggler is still considered by many to be a mid-card talent, but he has flirted with the main event scene on more than one occasion and will soon be a fixture in the WWE title scene.
Before I examine their similarities, lets look at the things that make them different.
Flair is a more mat-based wrestler while Ziggler has been known to climb to the top rope as well as take some big risks in gimmick matches involving ladders and cages.
Flair utilizes a more sinister move-set, relying heavily on cheating while Ziggler will cheat, but likes to win on his own merits. Vickie sometimes gets in the way of that happening, though.
Flair is well known as a member of the prominent stable, The Four Horseman, while Ziggler's time in a stable is thought of in a less positive light.
There won't be a Spirit Squad box-set anytime soon.
As for their similarities, there are quite a few.
Both men utilize a submission finisher. Flair uses the figure-four while Ziggler will take out opponents with a sleeper hold which has taken out the likes of Khali and Kane in the past. Ziggler hasn't used it much recently, though.
Flair and Ziggler have also been known to utilize female managers.
Flair used to be accompanied to the ring by Nancy "Woman" Benoit while Ziggler is still using the services of Vickie Guerrero.
The two have also spent a large portion of their careers on the heel side of things, although Flair has had significant runs as a baby face as well.
Their looks are somewhat similar as well.
They are both blonde men who are not exactly the tallest wrestlers on the roster. Ziggler also has a great physique, as did Flair when he was wrestling a full-time schedule in his younger days.
Their promo style is even similar.
Both can raise their voice on occasion and they are also known for being their own biggest endorsements.
Both men take pride in their appearance as well. They have been known to think of themselves as ladies men.
Both men have amateur wrestling experience.
Ziggler is a two-time National Champion from his time at St. Edwards and a three-time All-Mid-American Conference champion from Kent State while Flair was a standout on his high school wrestling team as well as an accomplished football player and track star.
Both men sought college education, although Flair dropped out of college before getting his degree.
Flair is known as "The Nature Boy" while Ziggler has called himself "The Natural."
Not the same nickname, but close enough
These similarities do not mean the two are exact copies of each other. In fact, it may be a comparison many people have not thought of, unless of course they've seen Ziggler strut like Flair.
Other comparison have been drawn between superstars of today and superstars of yesterday.
I have compared John Cena to Hulk Hogan and Randy Orton to Stone Cold in their rises to the top, but this comparison, in my opinion, is probably the most similar.
If Ziggler keeps getting better each year like he has since his debut, then the sky is the limit for him. He is already a former World Champion who has also held numerous other titles in WWE and Ziggler is constantly being groomed for a real WWE title feud.
Watching ZIggler's promos make me miss the days of guys like Flair and Sting, who would make a whole show better just by their match being higher quality than the rest.
I think we all remember those matches between Daniel Bryan and Dolph Ziggler that tore the house down on the Bragging Rights PPV and the following Raw and SmackDown.
It is no secret Ziggler has his own following and it is only a matter of time before WWE tests the waters with a baby face run.
The one thing I wish we could see is Ziggler right now vs. Flair in his prime. It is a dream match which, unlike Cena vs. Rock, can never happen.
What do you think, is Dolph Ziggler the modern-day Ric Flair or am I just crazy?
LeBron James Ben Gordon Josh Howard Jason Terry Jason Kidd Dirk Nowitzki
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