Nic Nemeth was looking at his next move before his WWE release.
Nemeth first signed with WWE in 2004 and spent almost two decades in the company under the name Dolph Ziggler. By the time he was released in September 2023, he had been a two-time World Heavyweight Champion as well as having multiple reigns with most other titles the company had to offer.
With so much experience behind him, fans were eager to find out where he would go next. To the surprise of some, Nic Nemeth made his NJPW debut at Wrestle Kingdom 18 on January 4th and began a rivalry with Bullet Club Leader David Finlay that saw him win the Global Heavyweight Championship at The New Beginning in Sapporo the following month.
Since leaving WWE, Nemeth has also made appearances for TNA, GCW and the World Wrestling Council.
Nic Nemeth has previously admitted his WWE release wasn’t a surprise and he had even asked higher-ups about wrestling outside the company. Now, he has given some more insight into his mindset at the time.
“I Had A Lot Of Catching Up To Do” – Nic Nemeth On Wrestling Outside WWE
During an appearance on Busted Open, Nemeth said that while he was waiting for his release, he was already looking to the future and how he would fit into the wrestling landscape outside of WWE.
“While I was biding my time [prior to officially leaving], I was watching, paying attention to everything else in the world, going ‘Where should I go? Where do I want? Where can the best talent be? Where can I test myself the most?’
“So I had a lot of catching up to do, but I’ve really been catching up [on] Japanese wrestling, especially just trying to figure out where I could fit in and make things work. I love it. There’s an entire world out there that I’ve never even seen in person or been face-to-face with. There’s a million opponents that I’ve never ever been in a locker room with.”
The prospect of the world that has now opened up to him has got Nemeth excited, and he can’t wait to get started.
“So, I’m excited for the wrestling part, but also the part where I’m learning and following all the television aspects of it and pay-per-views and premium live events. I can’t wait to sink my teeth into it.”
H/T to Wrestling Inc. for the above transcription.