Dolph Ziggler is one of the most talented performers on the WWE roster today, and he has the very real potential to become a truly legendary Superstar. A naturally gifted athlete, The Showoff possesses a diverse skill set inside the squared circle, and by all accounts, he has the confidence that is such a crucial component to cultivating a successful in-ring career. That said, while the outspoken Superstar continues to insist that it is "his time" to further elevate that status in WWE, he still has yet to pull the trigger on his moment of reckoning. This begs the question, just what is Ziggler waiting for when it comes to cashing in his Money in the Bank contract?

After claiming the contract at Money in the Bank with a victory over seven other Superstars in an epic Ladder Match, Ziggler has not yet capitalized on what is essentially the opportunity of a lifetime, and what could well be a one-way ticket to the World Heavyweight Championship.

In the weeks immediately following his Ladder Match win, Ziggler attempted to cash in on World Heavyweight Champion Sheamus, but — in every case — he was somehow beaten to the punch. Maybe those early attempts led The Showoff to be snake-bitten (or is that shark-bitten, when trying to overcome The Great White?), and he just hasn’t been able to overcome those early woes. On the other hand, Ziggler is known for being a shrewd Superstar inside the squared circle, so perhaps his delay could instead be attributed to some kind of overarching grand plan he’s hatched to claim The Celtic Warrior’s championship gold.

While either of those options may, indeed, be the case, there are other factors to consider. Like the 1,000th episode of Monday Night Raw, for example. Perhaps the ghost of John Cena’s failed contract cash-in attempt on WWE Champion CM Punk that night is haunting The Showoff, keeping Ziggler from pulling the trigger on his own title opportunity.  

As WWE.com has previously explored, fear of Sheamus’ devastating Brogue Kick could also have been a deciding factor in Ziggler’s ultimate decision not to cash in during the days following his Money in the Bank victory. ( FULL STORY) With such a lights-out maneuver in the champion’s back pocket, it’s understandable that Ziggler would be wary of running into The Celtic Warrior’s boot.

Still, when the Brogue was banned for more than a week leading up to Night of Champions, Ziggler still didn’t cash in, opting instead to remain in the shadows. Then, after The Great White’s exhausting victory over Alberto Del Rio on that pay-per-view in a match that saw the titleholder locked not once, but twice, in the excruciating Cross Armbreaker and being pushed to the brink, Ziggler still chose to hang back and not capitalize on the weary champion.

Or maybe Ziggler’s hesitance has less to do with the World Heavyweight Championship and more to do with the World Heavyweight Champion. Maybe it’s not about a fear of the Brogue Kick; but instead a fear of Sheamus himself.

Not that it’s such an unwarranted fear either, mind you, as Sheamus is unquestionably one of the most dominant World Heavyweight Champions in recent memory, racking up win after win both on a weekly basis and under the bright lights of pay-per-views. Especially now, considering the reinstatement of the Brogue Kick and Sheamus’ impressive victory over Del Rio at Night of Champions — and, not to mention, the addition of the Cloverleaf to The Celtic Warrior’s arsenal. Perhaps Ziggler is showing some tact, waiting out Sheamus’ reign as titleholder.

Instead of cashing in on The Great White, will Ziggler ultimately take his chances against whoever might be able to eventually dethrone the current champion? A sound strategy, assuming that happens during The Showoff’s one-year time limit as Mr. Money in the Bank, of course.

For now, though, Dolph Ziggler continues to carry a briefcase and a moniker that are both empty until The Showoff can prove that he’s not simply all style and no substance.