Dolph Ziggler Talks About His Quest For Greatness, His Size Working Against Him, Orton’s Push

WWE star Dolph Ziggler recently spoke to MLive.com to promote next week’s Night of Champions pay-per-view from Detroit, Michigan. Ziggler once again incorporated “shoot” elements into his interview, blurring the lines of what’s real and what’s part of the storyline.

The two-time World Heavyweight champion is known for giving 110% in the ring and putting his body on the line every single time he walks through the curtain. Ziggler says it’s part of his strategy to reach the top of the mountain, whether the powers that be believe in him or not:

“I’ve made it clear; I’m not patient at all – several times. I’ve been very vocal about my position on the card and in the company. I’m not trying to say ‘Hey, everybody sucks and I’m great!’ But I love doing this, and at some point you go ‘OK, It’s not my time right now and I got to figure something out’ And when it’s time, that’s when I must go out there and make as huge of an impact as I can and let everyone know ‘I dare you to follow that, I dare you try something better.’ And when they don’t, I’m very outspoken about it and it can get me into very hot water.”

One of the main arguments against pushing Dolph Ziggler as the face of the company is that he’s not tall enough. Ziggler has an answer for that critique – saying that he’d have no problem holding his own in a “back alley” with one of his taller co-workers:

“Everybody can be just so outspoken about taller guys, and guys like Randy Orton being the face of the WWE, the WWE Championship. I dare you to put me in a back alley with Randy Orton or someone like that. I guarantee I’m not afraid of someone taller.”

When talking about what drives him, Ziggler referenced “other companies” and UFC to make his point:

“I’m always trying to make myself a better sports entertainer. I’m always trying to find out why people cheer at certain times. I love this, I love doing this. I have no desire to switch companies or go to UFC or anything like that. As of right now, working on the entertainment aspect is my favorite thing to do, my favorite hobby right now.”

Finally, Ziggler expressed frustration with Randy Orton leapfrogging him and being given the top spot on WWE television:

“I’m very outspoken about where I should be and where I need to be in the WWE. I love that I’ve never been one handed anything – ever. If I would’ve have been handed things, I don’t know if I would’ve been able to enjoy it as much. Every time I turn a corner, it seems like the rug is being taken underneath me. It’s like ‘Hey, great job!’ and then nothing. It’s like ‘Hey, wow, look what you can do!’ and I’ll say ‘Thanks, boss!’ and then there’s nothing. And so, it’s hard (to stay upbeat), but you have to deal with it and it makes me hungrier every single day knowing that I’ve scratched and clawed for everything I’ve earned in this business.”