This Sunday, The Miz defends the Intercontinental Championship against Dolph Ziggler in a Ladder Match at the TLC pay per view. The Miz has user a multitude of dirty tactics before to help him retain the championship. Will he do that again here?
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TLC Preview: The Miz versus Dolph Ziggler (Ladder Match)
The History
This feud feels like it has gone on for a very long time, but it doesn’t feel stale just yet. It seems like the battle over the Intercontinental Championship peaked at No Mercy when Miz defended against Ziggler with the stipulation that if Ziggler did not win the championship, he would retire from the WWE. Obviously, Ziggler won, only to drop the title a few weeks later on an episode of Smackdown Live! thanks to interference from Maryse and the Spirit Squad. Since No Mercy, the feud has slowed a bit and continues to be clouded by run-ins and distractions.
The Ladder Match
On Sunday, Miz and Ziggler will square off in a match that has a long history of Intercontinental Championship defenses. In total, this will be the 17th time that a ladder match will be used to determine the Intercontinental Champion. Lately, the ladder match format has been watered down. In fact, this will be the ninth ladder match in a calendar year, which seems like overkill for a match that used to be an attraction to end feuds.
Despite the fact that we see ladder matches more often, this does not diminish the fact that this is a dangerous match that can deliver memorable results. Ziggler and Miz are both men that strive to go above and beyond. It is possible that this match could steal the show, but it will be hard considering there are so many other gimmick matches on the card.
The Prediction
It is hard to pick a winner here. It feels like if Ziggler does not have a feud for a mid-card championship, he has nothing. On the other hand, the Miz has been very good recently, both in the ring and on the microphone. Both men could stand to win here.
This one might come across flat to the live audience since most will be expecting the Spirit Squad and/or Maryse to interfere at some point before the match ends. Expect Ziggler to fend off both of his former teammates, only for the Miz to take advantage and retain the Intercontinental Championship.
