Recently on the “Eyes Up Here” podcast, WWE star Nic Nemeth, known by his ring name Dolph Ziggler, opened up about his track record with losses in the wrestling league.
Nemeth disclosed that he was written to lose multiple times as a form of humor directed towards Pat Patterson. Patterson was understood to be amongst his biggest advocates.
Nemeth shared, “Either you aren’t getting any support during the discussion since you aren’t 6’5” or tipping the scales at 300 pounds or you aren’t the preferred wrestler of Vince [Vince McMahon] or Hunter [Triple H]. So, no one is going to affirm, ‘Yes, boss. That’s a splendid plan. I admire him as well.’ There is simply no such scenario. Then there is the other end of the scale where Pat Patterson was a huge supporter of mine and served more as an advisor. Some months he would be there at every TV production, sometimes he’s chatting with Vince constantly, and sometimes he’s absent for several weeks. Given his advanced age, he was relishing his time. Sometimes there are simply no allies, and if no one is batting for you, it’s challenging already—because I don’t belong to the wrestling legacy, I don’t have any insider insight, and no one is looking out for me. Also, I reached a point where figures at the very top, excluding Vince, pulled me aside and told me, ‘Pat endorses you so much because he perceives incredible potential in you, and we’re actually jesting at his expense by causing you to lose every week.’ He chuckled as he made that comment. I said, ‘That’s amusing, but that’s my career where I’m losing already 80% of the matches, now it’s become 95% of the time. Come on.’ They thought it was a neat thing to confide in me.”