Why Dolph Ziggler doesn’t need to rush back to full-time wrestling
21 December 2023
As of today, Nic Nemeth (formerly known as Dolph Ziggler) is free to start a new chapter in his wrestling career and sign for a promotion outside of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) for the first time in 19 years.
But, the multi-talented actor and comedian may not return to the ring — on a permanent basis at least — as soon as some may expect.
Following his release from WWE on 21 September 2023, Nemeth’s 90-day non-compete clause has now expired and rumours have been swirling in recent weeks about his future destination.
After nearly two decades of being on the road for 300-something days a year, thousands of reps and taking bumps night in and night out, weeks off at a time, months even, will feel alien to the 43-year old.
He has more than earned the opportunity to escape the bubble that is the wrestling business, shelf Dolph Ziggler and instead put Nic Nemeth first to pursue what makes him happy, before making a big decision about his next move as his in-ring career enters its twilight years. Whether that’s inside the squared circle or touring comedy clubs as one half of ‘Hunkamania’.
Will the former two-time World Heavyweight Champion turned part-time comic join All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and compete alongside real-life brother and comedy partner, the ‘Hollywood Hunk’ Ryan Nemeth?
Will he make a low-key return to WWE as a colour commentator or backstage producer and coach the next generation of NXT talent. Or will we get main event Dolph Ziggler back as a shock entrant in the 2024 Royal Rumble?
Or will the Cleveland, Ohio native hang up his boots and pursue his growing reputation as a stand-up comic?
Nemeth’s numbers speak for themselves. Fifteen 15 championship reigns are proof that WWE recognised him as a reliable and dedicated worker, despite his two short-lived runs as World Heavyweight Champion.
The options are endless for the WWE Triple Crown winner, who recently declared himself as “the most wanted man in professional wrestling today, the hottest free agent” (Source: Lucha Libre Online), during a video message where he announced his first match post-WWE at the World Wrestling Council’s Euphoria event on 20 January 2024, against “Mr. Ray-tings” — Ray Gonzalez.
Could this be the start of a Nemeth world tour on the independent circuit and turning out for several promotions as an in-demand free-agent, much like the path his former colleagues, Cody Rhodes, Matt Cardona and Drew McIntyre, took to re-ignite their careers.
Or could it be a tune-up match to shake off ring rust before ‘Here to Show The World’ fills the air at Tropicana Field, Tampa Bay, Florida. Fans of the modern era will remember that Road Warriors pop Ziggler received as he hit the ring to cash in his Money in the Bank briefcase and win his first World Heavyweight Championship against Alberto Del Rio in 2013.
Hunkamania is running wild….the Nemeth Bros’ comedy tour has seen the duo share the stage at sold-out venues in big cities across the US, sometimes serving as a warm-up act the night before a WWE pay-per-view, bringing wrestling and comedy fans together. (Link to quotes in this article — Ryan Nemeth: It’s Safe To Assume Dolph Ziggler Has Interesting New Material For Hunkamania | Fightful News)
The pair are building a brand on the comedy circuit and exhibiting their combination of natural charisma and polished mic skills, honed from cutting live and pre-recorded promos on television over the years.
While arguably being among the best comedy tag team and brother act in North America’s amateur circles, it’s Nic who continues to steal the show as he did inside the ropes, but his future is no laughing matter for legions of eagerly awaiting Dolphans.
