Reigning world champion opens up about leaving WWE under Triple H's regime
A major superstar left WWE last year under Triple H's regime after a 19-year tenure with the Stamford-based promotion. The name in question is the reigning TNA World Champion, Nic Nemeth (FKA Dolph Ziggler).
The former Intercontinental Champion was a part of WWE from 2004 to 2023. After leaving the Sports Entertainment juggernaut in September 2023, Nemeth joined TNA Wrestling. Later at the 2024 Slammiversary event, The Natural defeated Frankie Kazarian, Joe Hendry, Josh Alexander, Moose, and Steve Maclin in a Six-way elimination match to claim the TNA World Championship.
In a recent interview with Daily Star, the erstwhile Dolph Ziggler admitted that he requested his release from World Wrestling Entertainment, acknowledging that his limited in-ring appearances were not conducive to his long-term career goals.
"I had a year and a half of my contract still, and I said, 'Please!' I go, 'I'm not doing anything here; I'm hanging out; I'm doing cold five-minute matches.' I go, 'I don't know how much longer I am a believable world champion for any other company.' I might have five more years; I might have two; I might have 10; I don't know," he said.
The 44-year-old star added:
"But I go, 'Sitting here, collecting a paycheck, and working for five minutes a week is not helping WWE, and it's sure as hell is not helping me.' So luckily, they gave me the chance to get out of there." [From 09:23 to 09:52]
You can watch the full interview below:
Nic Nemeth set to defend his world title against a former WWE star
Just one day after the erstwhile Dolph Ziggler's WWE exit, former United States Champion Matt Riddle also departed the company. The two men are set to cross paths outside of the Stamford-based promotion.
On X (FKA Twitter), Awesome Championship Wrestling announced that Nic Nemeth would defend his TNA World Heavyweight Title against Matt Riddle on January 4, 2025, at the MJN Center in Poughkeepsie, NY.
It remains to be seen if Riddle manages to beat Nemeth to become the new TNA World Champion.
Please credit Daily Star and provide an H/T to Sportskeeda Wrestling for the transcription.