Nic Nemeth, formerly known as Dolph Ziggler in WWE, recently revealed his passionate effort to alter the original plan for his match against Goldberg at WWE SummerSlam 2019. The initial script had Nemeth losing within seconds to the WCW icon, but he challenged the decision backstage on the day of the event.
In an exclusive interview Nemeth recalled the intense discussion with WWE management, even using strong language to convey his excitement for a more engaging match.
He expressed his desire to avoid a predictable outcome, stating, “I don’t want it to be trash. I don’t want it to be okay, like, ‘Okay, we saw that coming.’ I want it [fan reactions] to be, ‘What?! What?!'”
Despite Goldberg’s reputation for quick victories, Nemeth surprised WWE fans by starting the match with a superkick, deviating from the anticipated script. The unexpected move caught commentator Renee Paquette, then known as Renee Young, off guard, adding an element of surprise to the bout.
Reflecting on the match, Nemeth emphasized the importance of evoking genuine emotions from the audience, even in a short-lived encounter.
Although the match lasted only 110 seconds, Nemeth was pleased with the opportunity to inject unpredictability into the narrative. He acknowledged the unexpected emotional response from fans, saying, “That emotion that you don’t plan on is the beautiful thing about the art of this business.”
Following the match, Goldberg returned to the ring twice to attack Nemeth, responding to the latter’s mockery of his wrestling ability and physicality.
The entire sequence, from the backstage altercation to the surprising start of the match and the subsequent post-match developments, added layers to the storytelling and showcased Nemeth’s dedication to creating memorable moments in the wrestling world.
