Nic Nemeth has confirmed that he had heat with Vince McMahon.
Nemeth, who previously worked in WWE as Dolph Ziggler until his release in September of last year, recently appeared on the “Talk is Jericho” podcast to explain why he and his former boss weren’t ever on the same page.
You can check out some highlights from the podcast below:
On reports that he had heat with McMahon: “Let me squash that rumor, because it’s a fact.”
On Pat Patterson’s advocacy getting him heat: “It got to a point where he was pitching for me so much for years that the second highest [executive] that there could be in a meeting at that point was like, ‘Yeah, we’re just to a point where we’re just making you lose just to watch his face.’ And I go, ‘Oh, that’s not a great way to run the company.’”
Former WWE superstar Nic Nemeth, known by his ring name Dolph Ziggler, recently confirmed that he had a strained relationship with Vince McMahon, the chairman and CEO of WWE. In a recent appearance on the “Talk is Jericho” podcast, Nemeth shed light on why he and McMahon were never on the same page.
Addressing the rumors of their feud, Nemeth stated, “Let me squash that rumor because it’s a fact.” This statement confirms that there was indeed tension between the two individuals during Nemeth’s time with WWE.
Nemeth went on to explain that part of the reason for the heat between him and McMahon was due to the advocacy of Pat Patterson, a former WWE executive and legendary wrestler. According to Nemeth, Patterson had been pitching ideas and pushing for him for years. However, this constant support seemed to have a negative effect on McMahon.
Nemeth revealed, “It got to a point where he was pitching for me so much for years that the second-highest executive in a meeting at that point was like, ‘Yeah, we’re just making you lose just to watch his face.’ And I go, ‘Oh, that’s not a great way to run the company.'”
This revelation highlights the complexities of the backstage politics and power dynamics within WWE. While Patterson’s advocacy was meant to benefit Nemeth’s career, it ended up creating tension between him and McMahon. The decision to make Nemeth lose matches solely to provoke a reaction from McMahon demonstrates a questionable approach to running the company.
Nemeth’s comments offer fans and wrestling enthusiasts an inside look into the inner workings of WWE and the challenges faced by its talent. It showcases how personal dynamics and conflicting visions can impact the careers of wrestlers, even those as talented as Dolph Ziggler.
Despite the reported heat with McMahon, Nemeth has since moved on from WWE. Following his release in September of last year, he has been exploring opportunities in other promotions and has continued to make a name for himself in the wrestling industry.
While the specifics of Nemeth’s issues with McMahon may never be fully revealed, his confirmation of the heat between them adds another layer to the ongoing narrative of backstage politics in professional wrestling. It serves as a reminder that success in the industry is not solely determined by in-ring talent but also by the relationships and dynamics behind the scenes.