Dolph Ziggler’s First Match Since WWE Firing Revealed
Dolph Ziggler is moving on from his many years in WWE as he embarks on a new challenge in the ring in 2024.
Former World Heavyweight Champion Dolph Ziggler was released by WWE back in September 2023, ending his nineteen-year run in the company. Ziggler was not the only one let go as mass layoffs returned to the roster with other stars such as Mustafa Ali, Matt Riddle, Elias, and Shelton Benjamin joining him on the chopping block.
Now with non-compete clauses nearing their end for all concerned, Ziggler’s first post-WWE match has been announced under his real name Nic Nemeth.
Lucha Libre Online published a video of Nemeth from his social media challenging Ray Gonzalez to a match for the World Wrestling Council’s Euphoria event on the 20th of January in Puerto Rico. In the video, Nemeth notes:
Ladies and gentlemen, it doesn’t get any bigger than this. That’s right, WWC Euphoria Puerto Rico, baby! The most wanted man in professional wrestling today, the hottest free agent, and I am laying it down, baby. I’m laying down a challenge in Puerto Rico for Mr. Ray-tings, Ray González. You think you can step foot in the ring with me and go toe-to-toe with the best damn thing going today?
On January 20, WWC Euphoria, Mr. Ray-tings, the most wanted man Nic Nemeth is coming for you, if you got the guts.
El dos veces World Heavyweight Champion en la WWE, The Most Wanted Man, Nic Nemeth, tendrá su primera lucha en Puerto Rico. Su oponente seleccionado, El Más Grande de todos los tiempos en Puerto Rico, Ray González. ¿Aceptará el reto Mr. Rayting? 👀
WWC presenta Día de Reyes, el… pic.twitter.com/tnkDvjrEm9
— Lucha Libre Online (@luchalibreonlin) December 10, 2023
Will Dolph Ziggler Join AEW?
As is the norm now when someone leaves WWE, there is intense speculation over whether or not they will join AEW. This was perhaps heightened for Ziggler as his brother ‘The Hollywood Hunk’ Ryan Nemeth works for the company.
The last time Ryan Nemeth was seen on AEW TV was back in October 2023 when he was one of Wardlow’s victims in a sub-30-second match. He has, however, dusted himself off to appear in Ring of Honor since then.