Wrestlestar (2025)

25/11/2025

25/11/2025

25/11/2025

25/11/2025

Wrestling legend Ric Flair has ignited a major debate by publicly praising current TNA and NJPW star Nic Nemeth (formerly Dolph Ziggler), asserting that the veteran was vastly undervalued by WWE. Speaking to Casino Beats, Flair stated his belief that Nemeth’s abilities warrant constant screen time in any promotion: "Dolph Ziggler is really underappreciated," adding, "If I were booking him, I’d have him on TV every single week. He’s really good".

This praise directly contrasts with the way WWE recently handled Nemeth’s shocking return to television. After being let go in September 2023, Nemeth went on a global tear, capturing the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship in NJPW, the AAA Mega Championship, and the TNA World Championship in 2024. This global success should have made him a top target for WWE management, but his return on the November 17th episode of RAW was a one-off match in The Last Time Is Now tournament, which he lost to Solo Sikoa.

WWE/TKO is intentionally cheapening the value of Nic Nemeth's success in rival companies by bringing him back just to lose to a protected main roster star. The optics of bringing back a multi-promotional champion only for him to be defeated by the Samoan Spike in a tournament match—a match that served only to elevate Solo Sikoa—sends a clear message that WWE management views his non-WWE titles as irrelevant. Flair’s comments highlight the creative bankruptcy of using a talent of Nemeth's caliber as a one-off prop. He is currently a co-holder of the Call Your Shot trophy in TNA and a focal point of their programming. By reducing him to a single loss, WWE wastes a huge opportunity to strengthen their mid-card and fully capitalize on the superstar Nemeth has become outside their walls. They should be signing him to a long-term deal, not using him as a stepping stone.