In 2017, Drew McIntyre marked his return to WWE after a three-year hiatus, eventually achieving the status of a two-time world champion. However, his former tag team partner, Nic Nemeth, widely recognized as Dolph Ziggler during his WWE tenure, pursued a different path.
In an exclusive interview with Sportskeeda Wrestling’s Riju Dasgupta, the 43-year-old wrestler, who was granted his release from WWE in September 2023 after nearly two decades with the company, shared insights into his post-WWE aspirations.
Nemeth expressed a distinctive perspective on returning to WWE compared to McIntyre, emphasizing his desire to explore new opportunities outside the wrestling giant.
He described his mindset, stating, “I don’t have [thoughts] like, ‘I gotta get back to WWE.’ I asked to leave, and I wanna do a second half of my career where I do everything else but WWE because I’ve done it. I’ve been there. I wanna see what I can do on my own.”
Drawing an analogy, Nemeth likened his journey to a scenario reminiscent of a Twilight Zone episode, where a character at the pinnacle of success wishes to go back in time and start anew, proving their worth from scratch.
With conviction, Nemeth declared his intention to shine independently, proclaiming, “I’m gonna steal the show every damn night.”
Expanding on the rationale behind his release, Nemeth detailed his remarkably busy schedule during his WWE tenure. While many wrestlers opt for part-time schedules or take extended breaks due to injuries, Nemeth emphasized his commitment to full-time wrestling, recalling only three weeks missed in nearly two decades.
He clarified, “I did 20 years there, man. A bunch of people did three or four… I did 19 and a half years, and I likely missed about three weeks of work.”
In recent weeks, Nemeth has ventured into various promotions, including GCW, NJPW, TNA, and WWC, showcasing the diversity of his post-WWE career. He asserted that his schedule sets him apart, challenging anyone to find a professional wrestler or athlete with a busier track record.
Nic Nemeth’s journey extends beyond the ring, offering fans a glimpse into the multifaceted career he envisions post-WWE.
