Alberto Del Rio praises 2-time world champion for requesting WWE release (Exclusive)
Alberto Del Rio feuded with several top stars during his six years in WWE, including CM Punk, John Cena, and Nic Nemeth (fka Dolph Ziggler). In an exclusive interview, the Mexican gave his thoughts on Nemeth's WWE exit.
Nemeth worked for WWE for 19 years before being granted his release in September 2023. The two-time World Heavyweight Champion was one of Del Rio's biggest rivals in the mid-to-late 2010s. In recent months, the two men have revisited their feud in Mexican company AAA and Puerto Rican promotion WWC.
Speaking to Sportskeeda Wrestling's Riju Dasgupta, Del Rio praised Nemeth for pursuing opportunities outside of WWE:
"I have so much respect for that man. Seriously, like, I have always known that he is one of the best ones in the world, but even more now because it takes a lot of cojones to say no to a contract with the WWE and go and do your own stuff." [10:54 – 11:18]
Watch the video above to hear Alberto Del Rio give his honest opinion on John Cena revealing he will retire from in-ring competition in 2025.
Nic Nemeth reminds Alberto Del Rio of himself
In 2016, Alberto Del Rio wrestled all over the world after leaving WWE. Like his on-screen rival, Nic Nemeth has wrestled in several countries over the last few months, including America, Australia, Canada, Japan, Mexico, and Puerto Rico.
Del Rio thinks the 44-year-old will continue to improve as a wrestler thanks to his experiences in different countries:
"To go and become the most wanted, the one going from one country to the other, and collecting titles, collecting victories, he reminds me of me in 2016 going to England, then Japan, then Colombia, then Mexico, then Canada, and it was fun, so I'm pretty sure he's having a lot of fun and he's becoming a better version than what he already is," he said. [11:20 – 11:51]
Del Rio recently defeated Nemeth to earn a shot at Ray Gonzalez's WWC Universal Heavyweight Championship. He also beat his former WWE opponent for the AAA Mega Championship on August 17.
What is your favorite Alberto Del Rio vs. Nic Nemeth moment? Hit the Discuss button and let us know.
WWC presents Black September this Saturday at the Trujillo Alto Coliseum in Puerto Rico. For the WWC Universal Heavyweight Championship, Puerto Rico's Greatest of All Time, Mr. Rayting, Ray Gonzalez, defends against AAA's Mega Champion, Alberto Del Rio.
On September 29, fans can also watch WWC's 51st Anniversary show on PPV on Triller TV.
If you use quotes from this article, please credit WrestleBinge and embed the video, with an H/T to Sportskeeda Wrestling for the transcription.