In a recent interview with NJPW, Nic Nemeth (formerly Dolph Ziggler) discussed his WWE departure, appearing at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18, learning about the independent circuit from Matt Cardona, and more.
Nemeth revealed that he requested WWE for his release several times over the course of five years.
Nemeth was released by WWE on September 21, 2023, ending his 19-year tenure with the company.
You can check out some highlights from the podcast below:
On trying to ask for his release from WWE: “I started realizing, OK I’m a mainstay here, I’m needed. But I got to a point where I was ready to go. I’d asked the company a few different times whether I was ready to go, and they told me I was signed, and they weren’t letting me go. So I started asking them, ‘Hey, can I start doing this, can I start something else’. So I was prepared to be done and to start exploring other avenues.”
On learning about the indie scene from Matt Cardona: “I don’t know the independent scene. I didn’t wrestle on the independents, I don’t have a dad or a mom in the business, didn’t have a legacy in the business, didn’t have a friend in it. Nobody was there to vouch for me. I was a collegiate amateur wrestler before WWE, and I was a fan. So I didn’t know the world outside (WWE) and if there was no Internet, things would be very different, but thankfully we’re all connected now. My friend Matt Cardona has been all over the world these last two years and he was telling me ‘Oh, I went here and did this, and here’s what’s happening there,’ giving me a lay of the land on different countries and different promotions.”
On being ready to wrestle outside of WWE: “I spent the last six, eight months, a year, saying ‘I’m going to be in the best shape of my life when all this goes down,’ and when it finally got to the point where I asked (WWE) enough and they gave me my release, then it became ‘OK, well you asked for this for the last five years, you’d better deliver.’ So, OK, I’ve got this, I’m doing this, I have insurance ready, I’ve been training in the ring, watching different things, and I’m ready to go. So let’s go.”
Nemeth on his appearance at Wrestle Kingdom 18: “Being at Wrestle Kingdom with my brother was important. We got to see four matches out in the crowd, and that was the best part for me, because watching in the back is a bit different. You get an idea of what’s going on, but you don’t get that live crowd reaction. At ringside you really get up close and see, not just the moves, but why (the wrestlers) are doing what they’re doing. About halfway through sitting with my brother at ringside, I whispered to him ‘I can make this work here, absolutely.”
Nic Nemeth was released by WWE in September of last year after almost 20 years in the company.
Former WWE superstar Nic Nemeth, better known as Dolph Ziggler, recently sat down for an interview with NJPW to discuss his departure from WWE, his appearance at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18, and his experience learning about the independent wrestling circuit.
Nemeth revealed that he had requested his release from WWE multiple times over the course of five years. Despite being a mainstay in the company, he felt ready to explore other avenues and asked WWE if he could start doing something else. However, the company consistently denied his requests, stating that he was signed and not allowed to leave. This led Nemeth to prepare himself mentally and physically for a potential departure from WWE.
One of the challenges Nemeth faced was his lack of knowledge about the independent wrestling scene. Unlike many wrestlers who have family legacies or friends in the business, Nemeth came from a collegiate amateur wrestling background and was a fan before joining WWE. He credits his friend Matt Cardona, also known as Zack Ryder, for educating him about the indie scene. Cardona, who had been wrestling all over the world, shared his experiences and insights with Nemeth, giving him a better understanding of different countries and promotions.
Despite not having prior experience outside of WWE, Nemeth was determined to prove himself once he received his release. He spent months preparing, focusing on getting in the best shape of his life and staying up-to-date with the latest wrestling techniques and styles. He made sure he had insurance coverage and trained in the ring to ensure he was ready for any opportunity that came his way.
One significant moment for Nemeth was his appearance at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 alongside his brother. Being in the crowd allowed him to witness the matches up close and experience the live crowd reactions. This gave him a deeper understanding of the psychology behind wrestling moves and why wrestlers make certain decisions in the ring. It was during this event that Nemeth realized he could thrive in NJPW and make a successful career outside of WWE.
Nemeth’s release from WWE in September 2023 marked the end of his 19-year tenure with the company. After years of requesting his release, he finally had the opportunity to explore new avenues and showcase his skills on different platforms.
Overall, Nic Nemeth’s interview sheds light on his journey from WWE to the independent wrestling scene. It highlights the challenges he faced, the support he received from friends like Matt Cardona, and his determination to succeed outside of WWE. With his experience and passion for wrestling, it will be interesting to see what lies ahead for this talented performer.