---
title: "Dolph Ziggler Credits WWE Name For John Cena Tribute During Raw Return Match"
canonical: "https://wrestletalk.com/news/dolph-ziggler-credits-wwe-name-john-cena-tribute-raw-return-match/"
type: "post"
language: "en-US"
author: "Jamie Toolan"
section: "News"
published: "2025-11-18T21:17:45Z"
modified: "2025-11-18T21:25:20Z"
---

# Dolph Ziggler Credits WWE Name For John Cena Tribute During Raw Return Match

Nic Nemeth (Dolph Ziggler) has credited a WWE backstage name for helping he and Solo Sikoa “weasel in” a tribute to John Cena during their match on Raw.

In a highly anticipated first round match in John Cena’s Last Time is Now tournament, Nemeth made his return to WWE after a two year absence to wrestle Solo Sikoa.

Returning with his WWE name of Dolph Ziggler, the former WWE World Heavyweight Champion emerged as the surprise opponent for Sikoa – a fitting choice in the eyes of many, including Nemeth himself, given [he and Cena’s storied history together in WWE.](https://wrestletalk.com/news/dolph-ziggler-addresses-wwe-return-john-cena-tournament/)

Much like many other stars have this year, Nemeth squeezed in a tribute to Cena during his match – locking in an STF on the SmackDown star, to the delight of the Madison Square Garden crowd.

Speaking on [Busted Open Radio](https://open.spotify.com/episode/1Z5WAS6guqBZUGA4x0kU2U?si=97f5b761093a409c&nd=1&dlsi=7f9f4d4fbb374f4a), Nemeth revealed that he pitched the spot to Michael Hayes, who okayed it despite some time restrictions on the match:

*“I was like ‘has anyone done his submission hold’? Because I don’t always watch unless I’m doing the Tuesday show, even Michael Hayes and (Bobby) Roode were like ‘I don’t think anyone’s done it’.*

*“I was like ‘cool, let me throw this in here, I get to do the shoutout to Cena for welcoming me to this tournament, I get to be here’.*

*“So, Michael Hayes helped us weasel a shout out to Cena in there, even though we had kind of a quick match to get to, and we found a way to do it and have it not screw up the flow.”*

***If you use this transcription or any portion of it please credit WrestleTalk.com and link to this page.***

Despite bringing Sikoa to the brink of defeat on several occasions, Ziggler ultimately lost the match, with Sikoa now progressing to face either Penta or Finn Balor in the quarter-finals of the tournament.

[![](https://cdn.wrestletalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/wrestling-masterclass-9-stars-webp.webp)](https://www.wrestlingmasterclass.com/)

**To make sure you stay up to date with all the biggest wrestling and WrestleTalk news, [follow us on Threads by clicking this link](https://www.threads.net/@wrestletalk.official)!**