Dolph Ziggler

Nicholas Theodore Nemeth is an American professional wrestler and stand-up comedian best known for his work with WWE as Dolph Ziggler. Ziggler worked for WWE from 2004 to 2023 before being shockingly released by the company in 2023 as a part of the roster cuts.

Early Life

Dolph Ziggler was born in Cleveland, Ohio on July 27, 1980. He has been a huge fan of watching pro wrestling at the age of five. He decided to pursue a career in the field at 12. His great-grandfather's name was Dolph and his friend had suggested the name Ziggler, giving him his famous name Dolph Ziggler. Ziggler also competed in amateur wrestling in St. Edwards High School in Ohio, where he achieved 82 pins, a record for the school.

Professional Wrestling Career

WWE (2004-2023)

Early Years (2004-2010)

In 2004, Nemeth signed with WWE and began working for OVW. He made several uncredited appearances on WWE television before joining The Spirit Squad as Nicky. The stable had five members and activated the free bird rule when they defeated Big Show and Kane for the World Tag Team Championship.

In 2006, they assisted Vince McMahon during their feud with DX. At Cyber Sunday, Roddy Piper and Ric Flair defeated The Spirit Squad to win the titles. After their feud with DX, they sent the stable back to FCW. He spent some time in FCW and OVW before moving back to the main roster. In 2008, Nemeth won the FCW Florida Tag Team Championship.

In September, they reintroduced Nemeth as Dolph Ziggler on RAW. Ziggler appeared on several backstage interviews and interacted with the roster before making his in-ring debut. Ziggler lost to Batista in his first match on RAW.

In 2009, they drafted Ziggler to SmackDown. During his time on SmackDown, Maria managed Ziggler and feuded with The Great Khali, and won. Ziggler spent the year feuding with John Morrison and Rey Mysterio for the Intercontinental Championship and lost.

Intercontinental, United States, and World Heavyweight Championship (2010-2014)

In 2010, Ziggler defeated Kofi Kingston to win his first Intercontinental Championship. During his run, Ziggler was involved in a romantic angle with Vickie Guerrero, who became his manager. In 2011, he became the vacant World Heavyweight Champion but lost it to Edge. Later, he was drafted to RAW. At WrestleMania XXVII, Ziggler and LayCool lost to John Morrison, Snooki, and Trish Stratus.

In June, he defeated Kingston to win the United States Championship. After 180 days, Ziggler lost the title to Zack Ryder at TLC. Ziggler feuded with CM Punk for the WWE Championship and lost. At WrestleMania XXVIII, Ziggler joined Team Johnny and won. At Money in the Bank, Ziggler won the SmackDown Money in the Bank ladder match. In 2012, Ziggler frequently teamed up with Jack Swagger but failed to win the tag titles.

In December, Ziggler began feuding with John Cena. At TLC, Ziggler defeated John Cena in a ladder match when AJ Lee turned on John Cena. Ziggler and AJ Lee were involved in a romantic angle and Big E became Ziggler's personal bodyguard. At WrestleMania XXIX, Big E and Ziggler lost to Hell No. The night after Mania, Ziggler cashed in and became the World Heavyweight Champion.

After winning the title, Ziggler was injured during the tapings of a show. At Payback, Ziggler lost the title to Alberto Del Rio. At Money in the Bank, AJ Lee and Big E turned on Ziggler. At SummerSlam, Ziggler and Kaitlyn defeated Big E and AJ Lee. He spent the remaining year chasing the United States Championship and failed.

In 2014, Ziggler won the Intercontinental Championship on three separate occasions. By the end of the year, Ziggler was feuding with The Authority. At Survivor Series, Ziggler was the sole survivor of Team Cena and defeated The Authority. After they reinstated The Authority, Ziggler was fired as a part of a storyline. By the end of the year, they rehired him.

Various Championships and Tag Team (2015-2019)

At WrestleMania 31, Ziggler lost the title to Daniel Bryan in a ladder match. Ziggler spent the year feuding with Sheamus, Rusev, and Tyler Breeze and lost. At WrestleMania 32, Ziggler entered the ladder match for the Intercontinental Championship and lost. After losing to Baron Corbin, Ziggler began feuding with The Miz.

At Backlash, Ziggler won the Intercontinental Championship for the fifth time. After losing the title, Ziggler turned heel. After Mania, Ziggler feuded with Shinsuke Nakamura. At Clash of Champions, Ziggler won his second United States Championship and vacated it in two days. At Royal Rumble, Ziggler entered at No. 30 and lost.

After Mania, Ziggler was drafted to RAW, where he began teaming up with Drew McIntyre. Ziggler won his sixth Intercontinental Championship by defeating Seth Rollins. The duo defeated B-Team to win the RAW Tag Team Championship. In September, the duo joined forces with Braun Strowman to form The Dogs of War.

By the end of the year, the stable was dissolved, and Ziggler feuded with McIntyre. At Royal Rumble, Ziggler returned and continued his feud with McIntyre and lost. In May, Ziggler returned after a hiatus and feuded with Kofi Kingston for the WWE Championship. After failing to win, Ziggler teamed up with Robert Roode.

At SummerSlam, Ziggler lost to Goldberg. At Clash of Champions, Ziggler and Roode won the RAW Tag Team Championship. In October, they lost the titles and went to SmackDown. On SmackDown, they assisted Corbin and feuded with Roman Reigns and The Usos.

Dirty Dawgs and NXT Champion (2020-Present)

In 2020, they dubbed Roode and Ziggler as Dirty Dawgs. Ziggler was involved in a storyline with Otis and Mandy Rose. At WrestleMania 36, Otis defeated Ziggler. After Mania, Ziggler began feuding with Drew McIntyre for the WWE Championship and lost. After the draft, Roode and Ziggler reunited Dirty Dawgs.

In 2021, Dirty Dawgs defeated The Street Profits to win the SmackDown Tag Team Championship. At WrestleMania 37, they defended their titles against The Mysterios, Alpha Academy, and The Street Profits. At WrestleMania Backlash, they lost the titles to The Mysterios. During the draft, they moved to RAW.

By the end of the year, they began working in the tag team division on RAW. In 2022, Ziggler defeated Tommaso Ciampa and Bron Breakker to win the NXT Championship. At Stand and Deliver, Ziggler defeated Bron Breakker. On RAW after WrestleMania 38, Ziggler lost the title to Bron Breakker and went on a hiatus.

He made his return on the June 6 episode of RAW and attacked MVP. He then made his next appearance on the July 11 episode of RAW where he attacked Theory and began a rivalry with him. Dolph then lost against Finn Balor who had the help of Rhea Ripley. His last rivalry before being released by WWE was against Mustafa Ali in early 2023 which he lost.

Released by WWE (2023)

Dolph Ziggler had been on a hiatus since losing to Mustafa Ali in February 2023. He was undrafted in the 2023 edition of the WWE draft. On September 21, 2023, it was reported that The Show-Off had been released from WWE among other superstars including Shelton Benjamin and also Mustafa Ali. This brought an end to Ziggler's 19-year journey with the WWE.

Dolph Ziggler's Brother

Dolph Ziggler's brother Ryan Nemeth is also a professional wrestler. He had previously worked on WWE NXT under the name Briley Pierce, but the journey did not go through. After parting ways with WWE in 2013, Nemeth made waves on the independent circuit for about eight years before being signed by All Elite Wrestling. Dolph Ziggler has an elder brother as well named Donald Nemeth. Donald was sentenced to fifteen years in prison after pleading guilty to robbery, kidnapping and involuntary manslaughter.

Filmography

Championships and Accomplishments