Nic Nemeth (Dolph Ziggler in WWE) was a recent guest on the “Busted Open Radio” podcast, where he discussed Mercedes Mone’s debut kicking off last week’s episode of AEW Dynamite, the prevalence of dives in matches, and more.
You can check out some highlights from the podcast below:
On Mone kicking off the show: “I have 20 years of that New York experience from TV in my mind going, ‘They won’t bring her out first, right? Because then after that there’s no reason for extra viewers who are just tuning in to stay.’ But also, there’s the fan in me that goes, ‘We’re already chanting for her and this beautifully, terribly-kept secret. … Maybe she’s back out in the main event.’”
On when he would have debuted her: “It’s not breaking down an algorithm for ratings or people getting a spike or hoping to drag [viewers through] a commercial break. It’s just something that is a story that’s built into a business model of it. … I would’ve put it somewhere in the middle with a tease for the main event also.”
On the prevalence of dives in matches: “Everybody dives in a match. But some people are really good at diving, and now the entire crowd is expecting a dive, and if you can do it, you do it and stand out better than everybody else. Or you can do it like [Will] Ospreay and do a triple dive into something, and you make it just part of your repertoire… The psychology in me goes, ‘Man, three people dove before me; why would I dive now in this two to three-hour show?’ I’m a storytelling guy, and I love the psychology part, but I’m very well aware of all the athleticism that comes into being a 2024 hit prospect, free agent wrestler in the world, so I know that actually matters, and that brings some butts into seats too.”
Nic Nemeth, also known as Dolph Ziggler in WWE, recently appeared as a guest on the “Busted Open Radio” podcast. During the interview, he shared his thoughts on Mercedes Mone’s debut on AEW Dynamite, the prevalence of dives in matches, and more.
When discussing Mone’s debut, Nemeth expressed his initial skepticism about her being the first to appear on the show. He mentioned his experience in the TV industry and how typically, a big reveal like Mone’s would be saved for later in the program to keep viewers engaged. However, as a fan, he acknowledged the excitement surrounding her debut and speculated that she could potentially return for the main event.
Nemeth also discussed when he would have chosen to debut Mone. He emphasized that it is not solely about ratings or commercial breaks but rather about creating a compelling story within the business model. He suggested placing her debut somewhere in the middle of the show while teasing her involvement in the main event.
The conversation then shifted to the prevalence of dives in matches. Nemeth acknowledged that almost everyone incorporates dives into their matches, but some wrestlers excel at it and stand out from the rest. He mentioned Will Ospreay as an example of someone who has mastered the art of diving and made it an integral part of his repertoire. However, Nemeth also highlighted the importance of storytelling and psychology in wrestling. He questioned the need for multiple dives in a single show and emphasized his preference for focusing on the storytelling aspect of wrestling.
As a wrestler himself, Nemeth understands the significance of athleticism and its ability to attract audiences. He acknowledged that the athleticism displayed by wrestlers like himself matters and can draw people to watch the matches. However, he also emphasized the importance of balancing athleticism with storytelling and psychology to create a well-rounded and engaging performance.
Overall, Nic Nemeth’s appearance on the “Busted Open Radio” podcast provided insights into his thoughts on Mercedes Mone’s debut, the use of dives in matches, and the importance of storytelling and psychology in professional wrestling. His perspective as a wrestler with years of experience adds depth to the discussion and sheds light on the intricacies of the industry.