Dolph Ziggler Was Once Told He Couldn't Be World Champion Because Of His Hair

Dolph Ziggler's hairstyle certainly stood out in a world filled with unique performers, but it was apparently once seen as a detriment.

In the run-up to his WWE title match with Drew McIntyre at Sunday's Extreme Rules pay-per-view, Ziggler spoke with talkSPORT about how his particular mane was keeping him from reaching the apex.

"One time a long time ago, I was told the reason I’m not credible for world championships – this is 10 years ago, maybe longer, whatever – the reason I’m not credible enough to be winning world championships is because of my hair," Ziggler recalls. "Not because I get beat up, not that I lose every match, not that I don’t talk – it was because of my blonde hair.

"So it got cut short and dyed black and I was serious, I went out there and beat the hell out of Santino and it was the dumbest thing I’ve ever done. I didn’t want to do it. I said this isn’t me, we can find a way to introduce more of my shooting background and things – nope. That’s what they wanted [the hair cut]. Then after three weeks they said ‘oh, our bad.’"

He continues, "I tried to get out of it as much as I could, but sadly, I guess that’s the vision that they have and you have to go with that and try and fight them every single day and I do fight the good fight behind the scenes and in the ring every damn day."