Opinion: Why Drew McIntyre and Dolph Ziggler have been paired together
Well, it was probably one of the most shocking moments of the Superstar Shake-up and absolutely no-one saw it coming, but it seems like the WWE Universe is right behind the pairing of Dolph Ziggler and Drew McIntyre.
And after the pair arrived together yesterday and cut a promo that seemingly named their team and put former WWE RAW Tag Team Champions The Bar on notice, it seems like the pair may stick together - at least for now.
But with both men being seen more as singles stars and RAW having an abundance of tag team talent, this pairing definitely came out of the blue and many are asking, "Why?"
Well, there's no question that Drew McIntyre belongs on the main roster. His NXT run already confirmed what most people already knew - that this McIntyre is a different beast from the one we saw in his first WWE run.
Not to mention the Scotsman's ever-growing confidence and ability - coupled with a newly reignited desire and determination - will undoubtedly see him rise to the top of the main roster if given even half a chance.
While SmackDown may have seemed the more likely location for McIntyre, the blue brand seems to be doing okay for top heels, and Raw could well do with someone to eventually be the top bad guy if WWE goes all-in on Reigns again and Brock Lesnar takes his leave to chase his UFC aspirations.
Add to this the ever-growing concerns of many that Ziggler is being underutilised in WWE, with some saying his character may have gone stale, and it was no surprise when both men showed up on RAW last week.
But together? Well, that part WAS surprising.
Well, the pair have looked like a formidable force in the two short appearances we've seen on the red brand, with Titus Worldwide taking the brunt of their aggression, but where do we go from here and why are they paired together?
My theory is one that would see both men benefit long-term, both as a tag team and as singles competitors.
There's no doubt both men are heels just now, but they're the special brand of heel who have the WWE Universe well and truly on the side and rooting for them.
With The Bar going up against Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt going head to head for the RAW Tag Team Championships at the Greatest Royal Rumble, and the AOP seemingly on the climb towards the top of the division, too, McIntyre and Ziggler don't look to be immediately in the title picture - but that could very well change. Particularly with the team saying "We don't need to steal the show, we ARE The Show" - seemingly mocking Sheamus and Cesaro.
While Hardy and Wyatt would make more sense in the way of a face-heel dynamic, The Bar seems to be where the pair are heading on their path of destruction - but will they win the Tag Team Championships?
Well, whether they do or don't, I think what happens next is what's more important. I think Dolph Ziggler will essentially be the sacrificial lamb who re-introduces Drew McIntyre to the casual fans before McIntyre turns on Ziggler to propel him up the card as a singles competitor while showcasing the former NXT Champion on the main roster.
Essentially, McIntyre will turn Dolph Ziggler back to a face character, freshening his character up, and Ziggler will turn McIntyre into a monster heel in a move that will see Drew McIntyre rocket to the top of the card. Who knows, maybe McIntyre is the heel who destroys a face Roman Reigns and wins the Universal Championship in the coming year.
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