Former Champion Says WWE Releasing Dolph Ziggler Was A ‘Tough One’ For Him

A former multi-time champion has recalled Dolph Ziggler’s WWE release in September 2023, stating that it was a “tough one” for him.

After almost two decades with WWE, Dolph Ziggler was released by the company along with several others in September 2023.

While the former World Heavyweight Champion has since gone on to establish himself as one of TNA Wrestling’s top stars under his real name Nic Nemeth, his absence was felt from WWE according to one of his closest friends and former WWE rival The Miz.

Speaking on Insight with Chris Van Vliet, The Miz was asked whether he ever thought he could be “next” after seeing several colleagues released, to which he replied:

“Yeah, honestly, every time there’s a release, I’m like, Oh no, is it me?”

The Miz would then discuss Dolph Ziggler’s WWE release specifically, saying:

“That was a tough one for me to see him go, because it was kind of like the last of my really core group of friends.

“I have friends, obviously, in the locker room and that, but that was my core group of friends. I was like man, I’ve had such great matches with Dolph too. Him putting his career up and me the IC Title.

“That whole IC title reign he was a big part of elevating that title as well during that time for me, and so to see him go is tough, but that’s the name of this business, it happens, those type of things happen for me, this is going to sound very cocky and arrogant. I know how valuable I am.

“I know how good I am, and whether the audience sees it or not, I know people know. If you’ve wrestled me, you know. So yes, there’s always in the back of your mind, oh, is it me? Is it me? Is it me? But then there’s also that other part that goes, I’ve done a lot in this business, and I still got more.”

Over two years on from his release Nemeth made his WWE return, as Dolph Ziggler, in the first round of John Cena’s ‘Last Time is Now’ tournament, competing against Solo Sikoa on the November 17 episode of Raw.