After nearly two decades with WWE, Nic Nemeth, formerly known as Dolph Ziggler, decided to part ways with the company in September 2023. The 43-year-old wrestler, often considered underutilized despite his numerous achievements, shed light on his departure in an exclusive interview with Sportskeeda Wrestling’s Riju Dasgupta.
Nemeth, known for his charisma and in-ring prowess, addressed whether he felt disappointed about leaving WWE. Contrary to expectations, he expressed a sense of relief, emphasizing that he had contemplated leaving for the last couple of years due to limited opportunities.
Despite being acknowledged as a “break glass in case of main-eventer emergency,” he realized that his role had become predictable, even to young fans.
Reflecting on his decision, Nemeth highlighted his desire for a change and the need to step away from a situation where he felt like a standby option. He acknowledged the fortune of having a successful career but emphasized the importance of exploring new opportunities.
Throughout his tenure, Nemeth considered taking a break from WWE on multiple occasions but was convinced to stay due to various factors, including lucrative contracts and the chance to work with emerging talent.
He humorously mentioned being swayed by the occasional “wheelbarrow full of money” and the enjoyment of helping others in the industry.
In the latter part of his WWE career, Nemeth felt that his role in three-minute matches could be easily filled by local enhancement talents. He expressed the need to leave and conveyed this to WWE, leading to his release just two weeks later.
Since departing WWE, Nemeth has ventured into various promotions, including GCW, NJPW, and TNA. Notably, he faced Puerto Rican legend Ray Gonzalez at WWC’s Euphoria event on January 20, showcasing his commitment to exploring diverse opportunities in the wrestling world.
