Nicholas Theodore Nemeth (born July 27, 1980) is an American professional wrestler. He is signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), where he performs under his real name (stylized as Nic Nemeth) and is the current TNA World Champion in his second reign. He is best known for his tenure in WWE from 2004 to 2023, where he performed under the ring names Nicky and most notably Dolph Ziggler. Known for his athleticism and in-ring ability, he is regarded by some as one of the most talented professional wrestlers of all time.[10]

After a career in amateur wrestling, where he established several school records for Kent State University, Nemeth signed a developmental contract with WWE in 2004 and was sent to Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW), where he wrestled under his real name. He was promoted to WWE's Raw brand shortly afterwards in 2005, playing the caddie sidekick to Kerwin White. He was sent back to OVW shortly afterwards, being given the name Nicky and joining the cheerleading-themed Spirit Squad, who debuted on Raw in January 2006 and won the World Tag Team Championship once before returning to development.

After working in OVW and Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW), he returned to the main roster, repackaged as Dolph Ziggler, in September 2008. Since then, he held the World Heavyweight Championship twice, the NXT Championship once, the Intercontinental Championship six times, the United States Championship twice, the Raw Tag Team Championship twice, and the SmackDown Tag Team Championship once. His other accomplishments include becoming the sole survivor of two Survivor Series elimination matches and the 2012 Money in the Bank winner as well as headlining multiple WWE pay-per-view events. Nemeth was released from WWE in September 2023, ending his 19-year run with the company.

After WWE, Nemeth would debut on the independent circuit using his real name. In January 2024, he made his debut in New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), appearing in the crowd alongside his younger brother Ryan at Wrestle Kingdom 18, and made his TNA debut at 2024's Hard To Kill. One month later, he won the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship, his first major non-WWE championship, in his NJPW debut match. On April 27, at Triplemanía XXXII, he won the vacant AAA Mega Championship. Three months later on July 20, he would win the TNA World Championship at that year's Slammiversary. In 2025, he won the TNA World Tag Team Championship with Ryan.

Early life

Nicholas Theodore Nemeth was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on July 27, 1980.[11] He has been a fan of professional wrestling since he was five years old, when he attended a wrestling event at the Richfield Coliseum, and he decided to become a professional wrestler at age 12. He later revealed on Colt Cabana's Art of Wrestling Podcast that he chose his WWE name "Dolph" because that was his great-grandfather's name, and his friend suggested the surname "Ziggler". Nemeth attended St. Edward High School in Lakewood, Ohio, where he was an amateur wrestler and holds the school record for most pins in a career with 82.[11] At St. Edward, he was teammates with Gray Maynard and Andy Hrovat.[12]

During his time at St. Edward, the wrestling team won the National Championships on two occasions.[13] He was a collegiate wrestler at Kent State University, eventually setting what was then the record for most career wins in the team's history.[11][14] His record was passed in 2006; as of 2010, he stands second all-time in career victories at Kent State.[14] He had 121 career wins between 2000 and 2003.[14][15] He majored in political science with a pre-law minor.[16] Prior to his WWE tryout, he had been accepted to the law school at Arizona State University, where he was due to start his first semester.[17] He was a three-time All-Mid-American Conference champion, winning the 165 lb (75 kg) tournament in 2000, 2002, and 2003; as of 2010, he is the last wrestler from Kent State University to have won three wrestling conference championships.[13]

Professional wrestling career

World Wrestling Entertainment / WWE (2004–2023)

The Spirit Squad (2004–2006)

Nemeth signed a contract with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) in 2004.[15] He was assigned to its developmental territory Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW), debuting on November 3, 2004, under his real name, stylized as "Nick Nemeth". After briefly teaming with Steve Lewington, Nemeth went on to feud with Paul Burchill. In August 2005, he unsuccessfully challenged Ken Doane for the OVW Television Championship. In September 2005, he unsuccessfully challenged Johnny Jeter for the OVW Heavyweight Championship. In October 2005, he began wrestling on main roster house shows. After joining WWE's main roster as a member of the Spirit Squad in January 2006, Nemeth continued to wrestle sporadically for OVW until April 2006.[18][11]

Nemeth made his main roster television debut on the September 25, 2005, episode of Sunday Night Heat.[19] He was made the enforcer and sidekick for Chavo Guerrero, who was using a golfer in-ring persona and going by the ring name of "Kerwin White".[11] As such, Nemeth became White's caddie.[11] His wrestling debut came on an episode of Sunday Night Heat, teaming up with White in a tag team match against Shelton Benjamin and Matt Striker.[20][21] After the death of Eddie Guerrero, Chavo Guerrero dropped the "Kerwin White" character, and Nemeth no longer played the role of his caddie and tag partner. After a few months of wrestling in dark matches and at house shows, he was sent back to OVW.[11]

Nicky (left) with Mikey and Kenny as part of The Spirit Squad in 2006

Nemeth became a part of the Spirit Squad faction, a group of five wrestlers who used the in-ring personas of male cheerleaders, and adopted the name Nicky in OVW during late 2005.[11] The Spirit Squad members trained with real cheerleaders and gymnasts to ensure their characters were believable.[22] On January 23, 2006, they had their WWE television debut as a group, appearing on Raw.[23] They later became a part of the ongoing scripted feud between WWE chairman Vince McMahon and Shawn Michaels. The heel McMahon brought in the Spirit Squad to attack Michaels on numerous occasions, including placing them in multiple handicap matches.[24][25] The stable won the World Tag Team Championship on April 3 on Rawwhen Kenny and Mikey defeated Big Show and Kane,[26][27] with all five members were recognized as the champions under the Freebird Rule.[11]

The feud with Michaels evolved into a feud with D-Generation X when Triple H joined Michaels.[28][29][30] DX defeated the Spirit Squad in handicap tag team matches at Vengeance and a clean sweep in an elimination handicap match at Saturday Night's Main Event XXXIII.[30][31][32][33]

After the stable lost the tag team titles against Ric Flair and Roddy Piper at Cyber Sunday,[34] the group disbanded when they were sent back to OVW.[35]

Ohio Valley Wrestling (2007–2008)

Nemeth returned to OVW, where he worked with Mike Mondo, formerly Mikey as the "Frat Pack".[36][unreliable source?] The team disbanded in the early parts of 2007.[37] At the end of August 2007, Nemeth and Mike Mondo were moved to the Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW) developmental territory and in his debut there, Nemeth gained the nickname "The Natural".[11][38] He won the FCW Florida Tag Team Championship twice.[15][39][40]

Repackaging as Dolph Ziggler (2008–2010)

Ziggler in September 2008

On September 15, 2008, Nemeth re-debuted on Raw (as a heel), introducing himself in a backstage segment under the name "Dolph Ziggler",[41] but the next month was suspended for 30 days for a violation of WWE's Wellness Program policy.[42] He worked on Raw[43][44][45] until he was drafted to the SmackDown brand as part of the 2009 Supplemental Draft.[46] He made his debut on the April 17 episode of SmackDown, defeating United States Champion, Montel Vontavious Porter (MVP) in a non-title match, and, as a result, the following week he demanded a match for the championship.[47][48] On the May 1 episode of SmackDown, however, he failed to win the championship, after he was pinned by MVP.[49] Ziggler then started a rivalry with The Great Khali,[50][51][52][53][54] that culminated at The Bash pay-per-view on June 28, where Ziggler defeated Khali in a No Disqualification match.[55]

Ziggler then entered an on-screen relationship with WWE Diva Maria and she became his valet.[11] He simultaneously started a scripted rivalry with Intercontinental Champion Rey Mysterio, who defeated Ziggler at Night of Champions on July 26 and SummerSlam on August 23 to retain the championship.[56] In September, Mysterio lost the Intercontinental Championship to John Morrison, and Ziggler entered a feud with Morrison after defeating him by countout in a non-title match, but lost to him at the Hell in a Cell pay-per-view on October 4.[57] On the episode of SmackDown following Hell in a Cell, Ziggler ended his on-screen relationship with Maria after she accidentally cost him a match against Morrison for the Intercontinental Championship. At Breaking Point on September 13, Ziggler made an appearance during a promo by Pat Patterson, in which Ziggler attacked Patterson until Morrison made the save. He again failed to win the Intercontinental title from Morrison twice, wrestling him to a double countout on the November 13 episode of SmackDown and losing a two-out-of-three falls match the following week to end the feud. On the February 26, 2010, episode of SmackDown, Ziggler defeated John Morrison and R-Truth in a triple threat qualifying match to compete in the Money in the Bank ladder match at WrestleMania XXVI on March 28, but was ultimately unsuccessful.[58][59]

Alliance with Vickie Guerrero (2010–2012)

Ziggler as WWE Intercontinental Championship at the 2010 Tribute to the Troops event

In June 2010, he began a romantic storyline with Vickie Guerrero, who began accompanying him to the ring.[60] Ziggler won the WWE Intercontinental Championship from Kofi Kingston on July 28 (aired August 6) at SmackDown.[61][62] In his first title defense at SummerSlam on August 15, he retained the championship against Kingston when the match ended in a no contest due to interference from The Nexus.[63] Ziggler was able to make a successful title defense against Kingston at the Night of Champions pay-per-view, and against Kaval at Survivor Series.[64][65] During this time, Ziggler was chosen as a "Pro" for the fourth season of NXT, with Jacob Novak as his Rookie, but later was changed to Byron Saxton when Ziggler won a battle royal.[66][67][68]

In 2011, Ziggler won the WWE United States Championship

Ziggler successfully retained the Intercontinental Championship at TLC: Tables, Ladders and Chairs on December 19 in a three-way ladder match against Kingston and Jack Swagger.[69] While he lost the title to Kingston at SmackDown on January 4, 2011,[70] he won the World Heavyweight Championship from Edge on the February 14 episode of SmackDown,[71][72] but lost it to Edge that same night.[73]

The next month, Ziggler was introduced as the newest member of the Raw roster with Guerrero.[74] Ziggler, Guerrero, and LayCool then feuded with Morrison, Trish Stratus, and Jersey Shore guest star Snooki, culminating in a mixed tag team match at WrestleMania XXVII on April 3, which Ziggler and his team lost.[75][76]

In 2011, Ziggler teased a new look with brown hair

At Capitol Punishment, Ziggler defeated Kingston via a sleeper hold submission to earn his first WWE United States Championship.[77][78][79] Ziggler held the title for 182 days, defending the championship on several PPVs like Night of Champions,[80] Vengeance,[81] and Survivor Series,[82] until he lost it to Zack Ryder at TLC: Tables, Ladders and Chairs.[83] During his reigns, Guerrero also managed Jack Swagger.[84] At

Starting 2013, Ziggler faced CM Punk for the WWE Championship three times, but didn't win the title.[85][86][87]

On the March 19 Raw SuperShow, Ziggler and Swagger were announced as the newest members of Team Johnny for the 12-man tag team match at WrestleMania XXVIII and on the April 2 Raw SuperShow, Ziggler and Swagger unsuccessfully challenged Santino Marella for the United States Championship in a triple threat match.[88] After the match, Ziggler began a feud with Brodus Clay, who attacked Ziggler with a headbutt after he and Swagger tried to attack Marella.[88] On the following episode of Raw SuperShow, Ziggler and Swagger were defeated by Clay and Marella in a tag team match.[89] In the following weeks, Ziggler and Swagger lost to Clay and Hornswoggle in singles and tag matches.[90][91] At Extreme Rules on April 29, Ziggler was again defeated by Clay.[92] Ziggler and Swagger unsuccessfully challenged Kofi Kingston and R-Truth for WWE Tag Team Championship, first at Over the Limit on May 20 and second on the May 28 episode of Raw SuperShow, resulting in Ziggler showing signs of wanting to break away from Guerrero and Swagger.[93][94]

On the June 11 episode of Raw SuperShow, Ziggler defeated The Great Khali, Swagger and Christian in a fatal four-way elimination match to become the number one contender to the World Heavyweight Championship,[95] but at No Way Out on June 17, Ziggler lost the title match to champion Sheamus.[96] On the following Raw SuperShow, Guerrero, finally tired of the bickering between Ziggler and Swagger, arranged for a match between them; Ziggler won the match and Guerrero's affections, ending their partnership.[97] Ziggler received another shot at the World Heavyweight Championship on the June 29 SmackDown, but was again defeated by Sheamus in a triple threat match, also involving Alberto Del Rio.[98]

World Heavyweight Champion (2012–2013)

Ziggler with AJ Lee and his Money in the Bank briefcase in February 2013

At the Money in the Bank pay-per-view, Ziggler won the Money in the Bank ladder match to guarantee him the opportunity to challenge for the World Heavyweight Championship at a time of his choosing within the next year.[99] The night after SummerSlam, Ziggler defeated Jericho in a rematch; as a result Ziggler retained his Money in the Bank contract and Jericho's WWE contract was terminated.[100] He also was defeated by Randy Orton at Night of Champions on September 16.[101] On November 18 at Survivor Series, Ziggler captained the traditional 5-on-5 elimination tag team match opposite Mick Foley and won the match by last pinning Orton, making him the sole survivor of the match.[102]

Ziggler then began feuding with John Cena after he sided with Vickie Guerrero to help defame Cena and AJ Lee by alleging they had a romantic relationship. On December 16 at TLC: Tables, Ladders and Chairs, Ziggler retained his Money in the Bank briefcase in a ladder match after AJ interfered and turned on Cena.[103] Ziggler began to work with Lee as his manager instead of Guerrero and also joined the debuting Big E Langston.[104] Ziggler ended 2012 having wrestled the second most TV/PPV matches that year with 90; however, he had the most TV/PPV losses with 57.[105] Ziggler ended his feud with Cena after losing to him on the January 14, 2013, episode of Raw, in a steel cage match.[106] At Royal Rumble, Ziggler entered at number one and resumed his feud with Jericho, who started at number two.[107]

Ziggler as World Heavyweight Championship making his entrance with AJ Lee and Big E Langston

Ziggler cashed in his Money in the Bank contract on April 8 on an injured Alberto Del Rio to win his second World Heavyweight Championship.[108] After gaining the World Heavyweight Championship, Ziggler began feuding with Del Rio and Jack Swagger over the title.[109][110][111] Ziggler was originally booked to face Del Rio and Swagger in a three-way ladder match at Extreme Rules on May 19;[112] however, Ziggler suffered a legitimate concussion at a SmackDown taping, thus removing their match from the pay-per-view and resulting in Ziggler being absent from television for a month.[113][114][115][116] On June 16 at Payback, Ziggler faced Del Rio in his first title defense of the World Heavyweight Championship and during the match, a double turn took place; Ziggler turned face by displaying a never-say-die attitude while Del Rio turned heel by repeatedly and ruthlessly targeting his head to take advantage of his concussion, win the match, and end Ziggler's reign at 69 days.[117][118][119] On July 14 at Money in the Bank, AJ cost Ziggler his title rematch against Alberto Del Rio, after she prematurely snuck into the ring and hit Del Rio with her own title, prompting a disqualification.[120]

On the following Raw, Ziggler ended his relationship with AJ due to her actions the previous night and AJ exacted revenge by costing Ziggler a non-title match against Del Rio, then she attacked Ziggler and unleashed Langston on him.[121] On the July 29, 2013, episode of Raw, Ziggler defeated Big E Langston via disqualification after AJ Lee attacked Ziggler.[122] In a rematch on the following week, Ziggler was defeated by Langston after a distraction by AJ and Kaitlyn.[123] This led to the host of SummerSlam, The Miz creating a mixed tag team match at SummerSlam on August 18, where Ziggler and Kaitlyn defeated Big E and AJ.[124]

Feud with The Authority (2013–2015)

Ziggler posing at the ring during a WWE house show in November 2013

Ziggler was later unsuccessful in capturing the United States Championship, when he lost to Dean Ambrose at Night of Champions on September 15[125] and on the October 16 episode of Main Event, ending their feud.[126] After that rivalry was over, Ziggler lost several matches during the late-2013 calendar year when he also failed to win the Intercontinental Championship from Curtis Axel on the November 11 episode of Raw.[127] In December, Ziggler lost two number one contender matches for the Intercontinental Championship, first to Damien Sandow and later to Fandango.[128]

At the Royal Rumble on January 26, 2014, Ziggler entered the Royal Rumble match, but was eliminated by Roman Reigns.[129] On April 6 at WrestleMania XXX, Ziggler competed in the 31-man Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal, but was eliminated by Alberto Del Rio.[130] On June 29 at Money in the Bank, Ziggler competed in the Money in the Bank ladder match for a WWE World Heavyweight Championship contract, but the match was won by Seth Rollins.[131] Ziggler later competed in a Battle Royal for the vacant Intercontinental Championship on July 20 at Battleground; however, he was abruptly eliminated from behind by The Miz.[132] After Ziggler defeated Miz in a non-title match the following night on Raw, he received a rematch at SummerSlam on August 17, where he defeated Miz to win the championship for a second time.[133] The next night on Raw, Ziggler successfully retained his title against Miz, after he was counted out.[134] At Night of Champions on September 21, Ziggler dropped the title to Miz, only for Ziggler to win it back the following night on Raw.[135][136] Ziggler then retained the championship against Cesaro on September 26 episode of SmackDown,[137] in a triple threat match against Cesaro and Miz the next week on Raw[138] and at Hell in a Cell on October 26 against Cesaro in a 2-out-of-3 falls match.

On the October 28, 2014, episode of Raw, Ziggler and John Cena shook hands together backstage, which The Authority interpreted as a deal to plot against them. As a result, Ziggler was put in a match against Kane, which Ziggler won. Ziggler then joined Team Cena at Survivor Series.[140] On the November 10 episode of Raw, Ziggler was brutally attacked by the returning Luke Harper.[141] The following week, Harper was awarded a title match against Ziggler, which Harper won with assistance from The Authority, ending Ziggler's reign at 56 days.[142] At Survivor Series on November 23, Ziggler emerged as the sole survivor for a second time. Ziggler contributed to Rusev being counted out, then after all his teammates were eliminated, he pinned Kane and Luke Harper. Triple H twice prevented Ziggler from pinning final opponent Seth Rollins, but the debuting Sting provided an assist to help Ziggler win the match, thus ousting the Authority from power.[143] At TLC on December 14, Ziggler defeated Harper in a ladder match to win his fourth Intercontinental Championship.[144] On the December 16 episode of SmackDown, Ziggler finally defeated Seth Rollins in a singles match after failing numerous times before. Three days later, Rolling Stone named Ziggler as the 2014 WWE Wrestler of the Year.[145] On the first Raw of 2015 (dated January 5), the recently reinstated Authority forced Ziggler to defend his Intercontinental Championship against Bad News Barrett and he initially won. After Barrett then attacked and injured Ziggler's shoulder, Kane declared the match as two-out-of-three falls, Barrett proceeded to defeat Ziggler for the title after Kane distracted him. Later that night, Ziggler alongside Ryback and Erick Rowan were fired by the Authority.[146]

On the January 19 episode of Raw, Sting provided another assist, as John Cena won Ziggler, Ryback and Rowan's jobs back.[147] Ziggler returned to television on the next SmackDown and qualified for the Royal Rumble match by beating Barrett in a non-title match.[148] In the Royal Rumble match on January 25, Ziggler entered as the last entrant, eliminating Bad News Barrett and Cesaro but was quickly eliminated by Big Show and Kane.[149] At Fastlane on February 22, Ziggler competed together with Rowan and Ryback in a six-man tag team match against Rollins, Big Show and Kane, which they lost.[150] On the March 5 episode of SmackDown, Ziggler was announced as a participant in the 7-man ladder match for the Intercontinental Championship at WrestleMania 31 on March 29, which was won by Daniel Bryan.[151]