PREVIEW: United States Champion Dolph Ziggler vs. Zack Ryder

As faithful viewers of his YouTube show are well aware, Zack Ryder is the first and only bearer of the Internet Championship – a title that has yet to be sanctioned by WWE. However, Long Island Iced-Z will have the opportunity to become an official titleholder when he challenges Dolph Ziggler for the United States Championship this Sunday at Vengeance.

On the same night he will stand alongside Jack Swagger to challenge Air Boom for the WWE Tag Team Championships, Ziggler must defend his star-spangled prize against Ryder – a Superstar that has been on a roll as of late. In fact, Ryder’s most impressive victories have come at the expense of the United States Champion himself, most recently on Friday Night SmackDown and most memorably on the Sept. 19 edition of Raw SuperShow. There, with Real Steel star Hugh Jackman serving as an equalizer against the scheming Vickie Guerrero, Ryder scored an incredible title-free victory over the blond blowhard. (WATCH | PHOTOS)

By attaining the U.S. Championship at Vengeance, Ryder would secure himself a place among the squared circle’s most elite competitors. The title has been held by such iconic ring warriors as “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, Booker T, Dusty Rhodes, “Rowdy” Roddy Piper and Bret “Hit Man” Hart.

Despite Ryder’s incredible momentum over the past several weeks, one would be unwise to underestimate Ziggler, who has clung to his coveted U.S. Title since he felled Kofi Kingston with his dreaded sleeper hold at WWE Capitol Punishment back in June. A similar fate could very well befall Ryder – especially if Vickie is at ringside.

With his legions of Broskis cheering him on, will Ryder take care, spike his hair and become U.S. Champion in San Antonio? Or will Ziggler manage to overcome the pressure and physical challenge of competing in two title matches in a single night? To find out, tune in to Vengeance this Sunday, only on pay-per-view.