Dolph Ziggler Wins First Title Since WWE Release

WWE

Former WWE star Nic Nemeth (Dolph Ziggler) has now won his first championship following his WWE release.

When the popular star was let go by WWE in September 2023, there was a lot of speculation about Nemeth’s next move post-WWE.

Nemeth made his first post-WWE wrestling appearance at January’s Wrestle Kingdom 18 event, brawling with inaugural IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion David Finlay.

Nemeth finally faced off against Finlay on Friday’s (February 23) New Beginning in Sapporo show, with the gold on the line.

The former ‘Dolph Ziggler’ was ultimately victorious, defeating Finlay in his NJPW debut to win the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship.

You can view clips from the match below.

This makes Nemeth the second ever IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship, with Finlay previously becoming the first champion at Wrestle Kingdom 18 in a three-way bout against Will Ospreay and AEW’s Jon Moxley.

Another former WWE star won singles gold on this show, with Matt Riddle defeating Hiroshi Tanahashi for the NJPW World Television Championship.

Nemeth has also wrestled for TNA Wrestling and GCW since leaving WWE.

Nic Nemeth’s plans for WrestleMania 40 weekend have now been revealed, which you can read more about right here. 

WANTED MAN @NicTNemeth makes his debut in New Japan Pro-Wrestling

Sign up Now & Stay tuned to https://t.co/9iZJzPgCfN#njnbg #NJPW #njpwworld pic.twitter.com/wwiVNKFljT

— NJPW WORLD (@njpwworld) February 23, 2024

⛄️THE NEW BEGINNING in SAPPORO⛄️ 1日目

WANTED MAN ニック・ネメスがついに登場‼️
フィンレーは世界の大物からIWGP GLOBALヘビー王座防衛なるか⁉️

🆚 @NicTNemeth × @THEdavidfinlay#njpwworld で配信中📡

視聴＆登録⏩https://t.co/9iZJzPgCfN#NJPW #njnbg pic.twitter.com/XZCNE0OwZu

— NJPW WORLD (@njpwworld) February 23, 2024

.@NicTNemeth “Super Kick & Danger Zone“

Sign up Now & Stay tuned to https://t.co/9iZJzPgCfN#njnbg #NJPW #njpwworld pic.twitter.com/AAtWeAvfIV

— NJPW WORLD (@njpwworld) February 23, 2024

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• Nic Nemeth
• champion
• Dolph Ziggler
• NJPW

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