Dolph Ziggler, now better known as Nic Nemeth, had been eager to leave WWE for years after the company placed him in a midcard role they wouldn't let him escape from.
He was finally granted his release in September 2023 and has since made a splash not just in TNA but in companies like New Japan Pro Wrestling and Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide. He's also found World Championship success in that time, a title that he held once in WWE, only for his reign to be derailed by a concussion.
Still, a lot has changed since then, and Nemeth has been able to reinvent himself in a way that would make a WWE return both exciting for fans and open the door to him stepping back into the world title picture.
Talking to Chris Van Vliet, Nemeth was asked to share his thoughts on the possibility of making his WWE comeback. "Maybe, but I really love what I'm doing," the former World Heavyweight Champion explained. "I really, really love what we're doing as a company, and what I get to do on my free time, plus with the company. So sure, possibly something."
Adding that he'd like to remain with TNA, Nemeth continued, "Yeah, and that's fine. I've said this since they started talking together and making things public about everything with WWE relationship, I said, if I can help TNA get something, I will be there. If it's to go to NXT and have a match, I'm not interested."
"I've done everything I've could possibly do in NXT, and if it's to do something with someone that I worked with, like Randy or Cody or Seth or something, I would be open to it if it helped TNA do something, or make a stride, or just get some kind of box checked to help us out. But I otherwise, I will be cheering along on the outside."
That prompted the interviewer to ask why he's not keen on an NXT cameo, not that the developmental brand is working so closely with TNA (to the latter's detriment in the eyes of many fans, especially as the WWE-owned company is picking up a lot of wins over the company formerly known as IMPACT Wrestling).
"Oh, I don't think there's anywhere for me to go there," Nemeth stated. "I was the champ, and if I went there and was in a battle royal and lost, what am I doing? That doesn't help TNA get on the map somewhere. Now, if it's come fight our champion and and because of this, we'll have someone come to TNA and do something."
"Please use me to negotiate, because I want what's best for TNA, and there's some things there, but for the most part, I would much rather NXT, especially what NXT is, let's get Leon Slater there. Let's get some people who are young, up-and-comers, who get a piece of that. And then maybe the eyes of the boss of instead of just Shawn Michaels, maybe Triple H goes, who the hell is this guy? Who is this girl? Oh, my God. Okay, we can bring them up and do something with them, and that's what I would much rather see."
"We have an insane talent roster, guys and gals that some I'm just getting to know, but some I've been locked in and following, and that would be great for them," he pointed out. "I don't think me being there helps TNA. And if it does, you bet your ass I’m there."
You can hear much more from Nemeth in the player below.