WWE Rumors: SmackDown Superstar Leaving WWE After No Mercy Match?

During Tuesday’s episode of WWE SmackDown Live, an interesting stipulation was placed into a brand new championship match for October’s No Mercy pay-per-view. That match will involve Dolph Ziggler challenging The Miz for the Intercontinental Championship. The two have been in several matches over the title so far, but in both of them, foul play has helped The Miz to retain his championship. The ringside assistance of Maryse has also come into play in both matches.

As Wrestling Inc reported on Tuesday night, during the latest SmackDown show on USA, Ziggler said he would put his career on the line against Miz’s title at the No Mercy pay-per-view. Basically, Dolph has to win the championship, or else he is forced to leave WWE for good. That particular stipulation would seem to fall in line with recent rumors about Ziggler possibly leaving the professional wrestling company.

Just a few days ago, Sportsrageous was reporting that Dolph Ziggler may be leaving WWE for Ring of Honor. Ziggler’s contract is said to be coming to an end in late October. There had been discussions that he might not re-sign with the pro wrestling company after failed promotion of his character in recent months. However, this particular rumor seems to clash with another recent bit of speculation.

There were reports that WWE was considering creating a brand new stable which would be led by Dolph Ziggler. It would include former college athletes such as Ziggler, Shelton Benjamin, Chad Gable, and possibly former WWE star Kurt Angle. However, if Ziggler leaves once his contract is up, then that plan will obviously be shifted. The interesting aspect of that idea is that Dolph Ziggler first broke into WWE as part of a stable known as The Spirit Squad, a group of boasting male cheerleaders.

The stipulation for Ziggler’s match at No Mercy certainly gives fans plenty to speculate about. The fact that it’s his career on the line could lend more credibility to the rumors of him leaving. It could also be WWE’s way of trying to swerve fans into believing those rumors. A win by Dolph would give him a fifth reign as Intercontinental Champion but it doesn’t seem to do much for him right now. Should Miz win the match, it would certainly help further his status as one of WWE’s best heels right now and give him plenty to brag about going forth.

.@HEELZiggler is willing to risk it all, as he will put his career ON THE LINE against @mikethemiz at #WWENoMercy! #SDLive @maryse0uellet pic.twitter.com/06TRA82o5h

— WWE (@WWE) September 28, 2016

With Ziggler, WWE never quite was able to get him established properly. He won the WWE World Heavyweight Championship twice during his career. A former Money in the Bank winner, he also held the Intercontinental Championship four times, as well as the World Tag Team and United States Championships once. There were times when he was more over than ever with the WWE Universe, but for some reason, he was one of those stars shuffled around a lot and lost in the mid card.

Leaving for Ring of Honor could certainly help jumpstart Ziggler’s career in a new direction. Other stars have found success there including A.J. Styles, Daniel Bryan, CM Punk, Christopher Daniels, Jay Lethal and current TNA star Mike Bennett. It’s also been evidenced that as certain WWE talent has left the company for another wrestling brand, they’ve managed to bolster their image. That would include TNA’s Ethan Carter III, Matt Hardy and Drew Galloway. Perhaps Ziggler could find new success with a new company?

It should be interesting to see which way things go when the No Mercy match arrives. That pay-per-view is scheduled for Sunday, October 9, in Sacramento, California. It also includes matchups for the WWE World Heavyweight, SmackDown Women’s and Tag Team Championships. Will Ziggler leave as the new Intercontinental Champion, or simply leave WWE?

[Featured Image by WWE]