Nic Nemeth may have gone viral after a WWE RAW segment with Hugh Jackman, but he also got in serious trouble with the promotion.
After the segment which saw Jackman deliver a devastating punch to the then-Dolph Ziggler, the Show Off suggested that he was dealing with a potentially fractured jaw.
On a recent edition of the “Going Postl” podcast, Nemeth explained how the comment got him in hot water with higher-ups in WWE. He said,
“The next day (after RAW with Jackman), I said, ‘I have to go for x-rays. I may have a slight fractured jaw’ and by the time the next morning came around, I was being threatened with being fired from WWE because I had lied and TMZ was calling them to check on it and I go, ‘I’m just trying to protect the storyline.’ I said, ‘I didn’t say Hugh Jackman put me in a hospital or I’m having a heart attack. I was like, oh, there’s a chance there’s a hairline fracture and I’m gonna get x-rays to keep it vague’, because it’s wrestling.
“It was such a good punch and everybody was talking about it that night and the next day, I was so excited… the second-in-command was like, ‘I don’t wanna have to fire you but you’re gonna have to recant and take this down.’”
Years later, Jackman would return to RAW and make amends with Ziggler. The X-Men and Greatest Showman star would level Damian Sandow, who was dressed as Magneto.
In the world of professional wrestling, the line between reality and fiction is often blurred. The scripted nature of the sport allows for captivating storylines and larger-than-life characters. However, sometimes these storylines can lead to real-life consequences, as Nic Nemeth, better known as Dolph Ziggler, discovered after a segment with Hollywood actor Hugh Jackman on WWE RAW.
During the segment, Jackman delivered a powerful punch to Ziggler, leaving the wrestler suggesting that he may have suffered a fractured jaw. This comment, intended to add drama to the storyline, ended up causing trouble for Ziggler with the WWE promotion.
In a recent episode of the “Going Postl” podcast, Nemeth explained how his comment about a potentially fractured jaw got him in hot water with higher-ups in WWE. He revealed that he was threatened with being fired because he had lied about his injury. TMZ even contacted WWE to verify the claim, putting Ziggler’s credibility at stake.
Nemeth defended himself by stating that he was merely trying to protect the storyline. He emphasized that he never claimed that Jackman had put him in the hospital or caused a serious injury. Instead, he wanted to keep it vague and maintain the element of suspense that is inherent in professional wrestling.
The incident highlights the delicate balance that wrestlers must navigate between their on-screen personas and their real-life identities. While fans understand that wrestling is scripted, they still invest emotionally in the characters and storylines. Any deviation from the established narrative can lead to confusion and disappointment.
Years later, Hugh Jackman would return to WWE RAW and make amends with Dolph Ziggler. During his appearance, Jackman leveled Damian Sandow, who was dressed as Magneto, another iconic character from the X-Men franchise. This moment served as a way to reconcile their previous encounter and entertain the audience.
The incident involving Nic Nemeth and Hugh Jackman serves as a reminder of the complexities of professional wrestling. It showcases the dedication and commitment that wrestlers have to their craft, as they are willing to put their bodies on the line to entertain the fans. However, it also highlights the challenges they face in maintaining the illusion of their characters while dealing with the realities of the industry.
In the end, the incident between Ziggler and Jackman became a memorable moment in WWE history. It demonstrated the power of celebrity appearances and the impact they can have on the wrestling world. While it may have caused some trouble for Ziggler at the time, it ultimately added to the excitement and unpredictability that fans love about professional wrestling.