Dolph Ziggler Interview

Under the Ring interview with Dolph Ziggler
Phil Strum, Poughkeepsie Journal

Dolph Ziggler wants to remembered as one of the greatest of all-time.

Only 5 years into his career in World Wrestling Entertainment, Ziggler — real name Nick Nemeth, 30 — has made some inroads, capturing the Intercontinental title. Ziggler will appear on the premiere of WWE SmackDown, which moves to SyFy this Friday with a live show from Oklahoma City starting at 8 p.m.

I caught up with Ziggler by phone on Tuesday afternoon.

Phil Strum: What do you think of the way your career has progressed in WWE to this point?

Dolph Ziggler: Actually, I’m a bit of a perfectionist. I’ve worked really hard to get where I am today. On my own personal schedule, I am a little behind schedule. I think I’ve dealt with things really well in my career and I’m on track.

PS: You went to Kent State University and were an accomplished amateur wrestler? When did you make the decision to turn to pro wrestling. I know sometimes WWE scouts the big amateur matches. Were they aware of you or did you make them aware?

DZ: That actually does happen sometimes, but I’ve been a fan since I was 5 years old. I went to my first show live when I was 14 or 15 years old. That’s when I decided I wanted to be a professional sports entertainer. I thought that the better I did in high school and college, the better I had a chance at getting a tryout and getting my foot in the door.

PS: Do you feel that participating in amateur wrestling gave you a leg up in breaking into pro wrestling because of your conditioning?

DZ: I went to the national tournament in college. Whenever I had a chance to mention WWE I did. I could see where it could help me. The two are similar in that there’s a lot of dedication involved, you never stop learning and you never stop trying to get better than everyone else. I’m sure my conditioning and my body shape helped me, but I feel confident in the ring and on the mat. I went through a lot of drudging practices. A lot of guys have been amateur wrestlers, but not all of them broke records like I did (Nemeth is second all-time in wins in Kent State history).


PS: You started part of your WWE career in Spirit Squad and then you were sent back to Ohio Valley Wrestling. You were working with some of the top guys in the business in Shawn Michaels and Triple H. Were you worried you might not come back? For some guys in the Spirit Squad, it was the end of their WWE careers.

DZ: Of course, it’s scary any time you’re coming off the main roster. But I was less than a year into the business at the time and I knew I just needed to work harder than everybody else. I had to go back and learn more of the business. I had two or three practices where I worked with some of the best guys. Working with Shawn Michaels, Triple H and Ric Flair really sped along my learning.

PS: Curt Hennig is someone you’ve always reminded me of in the ring, both in terms of look and in terms of your movements in the ring. Is he someone you’ve studied and emulated?

DZ: Of course I was a big fan of his. He was Mr. Perfect. He was great. He was a little bigger than me. A big strong guy, but he moved like a cat. He looked great, he moved great and he was a leader in the ring. Of course, as a huge fan, it’s an honor to be compared to him. That guy was one of the greats of all time. I don’t really model myself after one person though. I look at a lot of guys and give my own twist on them.

PS: I read somewhere that you do watch wrestling DVD? Who do you study? Who do you like to watch?

DZ: Shawn Michaels, 10 or 15 years ago, was may favorite ever in the ring. Beating someone up, getting beat up. He was the best ever. I’ve taken a lot of advice from him. It’s incredible to watch him. He’s done it better than anyone I’ve ever seen.

PS: Did you get to talk to Curt Hennig’s son Joe, Michael McGillicuddy about his dad when he was around on NXT?

DZ: Oh yeah, all the time. We trained together in Florida Championship Wrestling for a while. People used to say that my hair makes me look like his dad. He moves like his dad. Some people would call me a natural. He’s what people would call a natural. Guys like Randy Orton and the second- and third-generation guys, they have it in their blood. I thought Joe did a great job on NXT.

PS: What does holding the Intercontinental title mean to you. You had some close brushes with a while ago and some consider it a good stepping stone for the world title.

DZ: That title is really special to me. I’ve had several goals along the course of my entire career. I wanted to break records in college. I wanted to get my foot in the door in WWE and be the youngest guy and the quickest guy to make it to the main roster. I think I earned (the Intercontinental title) about a year after I thought I would get it. But it is a stepping stone to become even bigger like a lot of guys use it. It can help solidify my name as one of the greatest.

PS: What’s it been like working with Vickie Guerrero?

DZ: It’s been great. I think we make a good combination. Me and her work well together. No one gets booed more than Vickie Guerrero. People hate her and I love it. I like working with her. Hopefully, I can absorb some of that hatred. I know people don’t want to boo me because I look so good.

PS: She seems like a good person to be aligned with if you want to be hated.

DZ: And maybe she can pull some strings for me behind the scenes.

PS: What are your future goals in pro wrestling and WWE?

DZ: I honestly want to be considered the greatest Intercontinental champion of all time. I want to be the world champion and I wanted to be one of the greatest sports entertainers that this business has ever seen

PS: What can fans expect this coming Friday on the season premiere of SmackDown on SyFy?

DZ: I’m really excited that SmackDown is going to SyFy. It’s on October 1 and we’re going live. It’s going to be a great show. I love working on SmackDown anyway. It’s a good show to get on TV and make a name for yourself. It’s going to be exciting. Who knows what I am going to do? It’s live, so maybe I can sneak something in without anyone knowing! The move is great for SmackDown and great for the WWE Universe.

PS: And this week is a little strange too with Raw pre-recorded and SmackDown live.

DZ: It’s really cool. We perform SmackDown every week in front of a live crowd, but it’s fun to have that little edge of live TV where you don’t know what’s going to happen.

PS: Thanks for taking the time today to do the interview and best of luck in your career.

DZ: Thank you.

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SPOILERS

Vickie Guerrero and Kaitlyn come out with Dolph Ziggler. WWE Intercontinental Champion Dolph Ziggler vs. MVP in a non-title match. Ziggler gets a lot of heat. MVP controls early but Ziggler counters. Ziggler takes a tough bump to the outside. Vickie and Kaitlyn get into it on the outside. Ziggler attends to Vickie while referee Chad Patton starts to count. MVP goes to the outside to continue the action. Ziggler goes on the offensive after an MVP miscue. Dolph gets upset as Vickie goes to the back. Dolph applies a chinlock on MVP as the crowd chants for him to break the hold. MVP breaks the hold and hits a lot of offense but Ziggler has had enough. He grabs the Intercontinental Championship belt and gets himself counted out. Winner via count out, MVP.

Results

Dolph Ziggler (c) w/ Vickie Guerrero & Kaitlyn vs. Kofi Kingston




Intercontinental Title match




Special Count-out/DQ rules are in motion for this because of Vickie Guerrero's recent interruptions in Intercontinental Title matches. The commentary team discuss this and they talk about Dolph Ziggler's relationship with Vickie. We are reminded about Vickie's jealousy with Ziggler's interraction with NXT Rookie Kaitlyn this past week on the NXT show. The match goes on and Kofi's on top in the early stages. Dolph falls to ringside and the referee begins the Ten-count. Kaitlyn checks on Ziggler, but then we see Vickie come along and she sends Kaitlyn to the back. Now she can apparently focus on Ziggler retaining. Dolph gets in the ring to beat the Ten-count and the match goes back and forth with both competitors getting as series of near falls. Dolph's in control as he hits a Fame-Asser to take Kofi face-first into the canvas. One, Two - only Two and this one continues. Ziggler focusses on Kingston's head and neck and again gets a Two-count before administering a version of the Camel Clutch. Dolph doesn't sit on it very well though as Kofi fights out of it. Kingston batters Ziggler to the corner and then after an exchange he boots Ziggler with both shins after going through the ropes and then he nails a flying cross body off the top turnbuckle. One, Two - Ziggler kicks out. Kingston then spends time on top and he hits the "Boop, Boop" Boom Drop! Kinston claps his hands to get the crowd going for Trouble in Paradise, but then Ziggler reverses his advances and he goes for the Sleeper. Another exchange and the two battle to ringside where there's almost a double count-out. Back in the ring Ziggler gets a Sleeper on properly this time and he has Kingston right in the middle of the ring. Kingston struggles and cannot break free. Finally he powers Ziggler's arms away to break his grip and then lock in a Sleeper of his own, but Ziggler quickly gets out of it. Vickie Guerrero then almost gets involved, but Ziggler tells her "No." Ziggler then avoids the Trouble in Paradise and hits a Zig-Zag!




Winner and Still Intercontinental Champion: Dolph Ziggler!




A great win for Ziggler, but he had to make sure there was not a DQ called. An excellent outing against his long-term nemesis Kofi Kingston. Ziggler and Vickie Guerrero celebrate as Kofi picks himself up.

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Pass results

FULL RESULTS FROM NXT

Michael Cole Quits WWE NXT
Posted by: Wrestling-Radio.com

WWE NXT Results (9/14)
By Richard Trionfo of PWInsider.com

We are live on tape from Detroit, Michigan and your announcers are Michael ‘I have a message from the General . . . is Jericho around . . . Manager’ Cole and Josh ‘I will give the same effort as the rookies’ Mathews. Your host is Matt ‘Last Comic Standing’ Striker.

Vickie interrupts Michael’s introduction and then Michael shows some love for Vickie. She says that after her rookie Kaitlyn embarrassed her last week, she brought someone to the show to make her proud. Vickie brings out the Intercontinental Champion and the person who is number one in Vickie’s heart . . . Dolph Ziggler.

We see footage from last week when Kaitlyn failed to take care of AJ to Vickie’s specifications.

Match Number One: Dolph Ziggler and Kaitlyn with Vickie Guerrero versus Primo and AJ

The men start off and lock up. Dolph with a punch to Primo but Primo with a drop kick and Dolph tags in Kaitlyn so the women enter the match. AJ with a waist lock and rollup for a near fall. AJ with a side head lock. Kaitlyn with a shoulder tackle but AJ with kicks to the head. AJ with forearms followed by a kick. AJ with a cross body for a near fall. Kaitlyn with a clothesline and Dolph tags in and he knocks Primo off the apron. Dolph stands over AJ as she gets up and then he blocks her exit from the ring. AJ with slaps to Dolph and then Primo with a double sledge from the turnbuckles followed by a cartwheel and a drop kick. Primo with punches but Dolph with an Irish whip. Primo with a clothesline out of the corner and then he takes Dolph down with a leg sweep. Primo misses a splash into the corner and Ziggler hits the Zig Zag for the three count.

Winners: Dolph Ziggler and Kaitlyn

After the match, Vickie does not like the celebration going on in the ring between Kaitlyn and Dolph.

Josh wonders why Cole is so concerned about Vickie.

It is time for a video about Maxine. She says that she is the next WWE Diva. She says that she came from a large family. She went to school for criminology and worked for the State Attorney’s Office. She also did some modeling. She says that her greatest asset is her eyes. She talks about how she enjoys salsa dancing. She says that she wants 100% control. She will do whatever it takes to get it. Power will get your further than sexiness. She says that none of the Divas want it as much as her.

We go to commercial . . . with a brand new Legendary commercial.

We are back and Matt is in the ring with AJ and Kaitlyn. He brings out the other four rookies. We see Naomi’s performances last week to give her the advantage in the battle for immunity.

Matt says that the opening night jitters have subsided so they are ready to show why they are here to become the next Diva. Matt reminds us that the rookie with the most challenge wins will get immunity. The person with the funniest and best joke will win the competition. The WWE Universe . . . Detroit Division will be the judges.

AJ goes first and she says that a blonde, brunette, and red head are running from the cops and they hide in a barn and get into potato sacks. The brunette goes ‘woof’ when the cop kicks her sack. The cop kicks the redhead’s sack and she goes ‘meow’. The cop kicks the sack with the blonde and she goes ‘potato’. Matt thanks Don Rickles for the joke and Josh comments on the era the reference came from.

Aksana is next and she say her joke very popular in Lithuania. She starts in Lithuanian but then decides to tell the joke in English. What is difference between a wife and girlfriend. About forty-five pounds.

Jamie is next and she asks for some help from the people of Detroit. Jamie has a knock knock joke. “Knock Knock . . . Who’s There . . . AJ who . . .” Jamie gets on the turnbuckles to ask the joke again and changes AJ for Aksana and her response is ‘exactly’.

Naomi is next and she says heyyyyyyyyyyyyyy to Detroit. She asks what do you call a dog with no legs. . . It don’t matter what you call it because it ain’t gonna come to you.

Maxine is next. She says that she has five jokes with her in the ring and she will pick one. She goes to AJ Lee and she calls her cute and adorable. She reminds her of a girl scout, but girl scouts don’t last in the WWE. Maxine gives her a twenty dollar bill and she asks for some Thin Mints.

We have a catfight.

Kaitlyn is the final jokester of the night. Kaitlyn says that everyone picks on AJ but now it is her turn. She asks AJ to be her joke for two seconds. ‘Knock Knock . . .Who’s There . . .KGB . . . KGB who . . .’ before we get the punch line, Kaitlyn slaps AJ and we have catfight 2: Electric Boogaloo.

The winner of the competition is Jamie.

Michael Cole has received a message from the Samurai General Manager and he hits the gong a few times. He says that all of the would-be Divas should be gonged. Cole says that Striker should be gonged. He says that everyone who bought a ticket should be gonged. He says that other than him and Josh Mathews, NXT should be gonged.

We go to commercial.

Match Number Two: Jamie with the Bella Twins versus Aksana with Goldust

They lock up and Jamie with a wrist lock into a hammer lock. Aksana with a reversal into a side head lock. Aksana with a shoulder tackle followed by a slam. Aksana misses an elbow drop but Jamie sends Aksana shoulder first into the turnbuckles. Jamie with an arm bar but Aksana gets to the ropes. Aksana pushes Jamie and Jamie pushes back. Aksana throws Jamie to the mat and she follows it with a clothesline or two. Aksana misses a charge into the corner and Jamie with a rollup.

Winner: Jamie

We have a video package for Naomi. She says that she would say that she is spunky, sporty, and spontaneous. Growing up with brothers toughened her up for the WWE. She says that her style is unique from the other Divas. She has been dancing since she was 10. She says that she was a dancer with the Orlando Magic and she was one of the ‘Dunking Dancers’. She says that she has so much to show to the WWE fans. She is going to stand out by doing things that the other girls cannot do. Her message to the other divas is to bring their A games because Naomi is going to win.

We go to commercial.

We are back with the Kane/Undertaker video package that aired for the first time on Smackdown.

Michael talks about the replay on WWE.com and Josh mentions the live chat with Joey Styles. Michael Cole is amazed that Joey is still employed by WWE.

We go to ‘highlights’ from earlier tonight and the moment when Vickie got jealous of Dolph getting too close to Kaitlyn.

Vickie interrupts Dolph and Kaitlyn talking about her win. Vickie tells Kaitlyn that she needs to talk to Dolph. Vickie wants to know what the deal is. He tells Vickie that she was excited that she won. Vickie says that if Dolph pulls that again, he will lose ‘all this’ as Vickie does random hand gestures.

We see the obstacle course around the ring.

We go to commercial.

We are back and it is time for the Diva obstacle course. Kaitlyn goes first, but Vickie interrupts Kaitlyn before she starts. Vickie throws out a number of Excuse Mes. She tells Kaitlyn that since she embarrassed her last week and she used her boyfriend to win tonight, Kaitlyn needs to win the obstacle course. Vickie says that since she is the best pro, she will show Kaitlyn how to run the obstacle course with perfection. Vickie goes first. Matt comments on the amount of time that it is taking Vickie to get ready. Vickie trips after the balance beam and she screams and cries without finishing and she yells at Kaitlyn.

We go to commercial.

We are back with a Moments Ago Moment of Vickie Guerrero versus the Obstacle Course and the Obstacle Course won that battle.

It is now time for the rookies to go. Kaitlyn goes first and her time is 36.5 seconds and she adds some flair by going across the finish line on the container. Aksana is next and she give time of 37.2 seconds. The next participant is AJ and her time is 46.0 seconds. Maxine finishes in 39.1 seconds. Jamie is the next to go and her time is 36.8 seconds. The final person to challenge Kaitlyn is Naomi. Her time is an afterthought at 57.4 seconds.

Kaitlyn lives up to Vickie’s guarantee and Vickie celebrates with Kaitlyn.

Michael Cole channels Alex van Halen and hits the gong. He calls all of this ridiculous. He says that this show violates everything about his journalistic integrity. He says that he was a war correspondent and he is doing this. Cole says that he is done with this show.

We go to credits.

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Dolph Christian and Kane with fan

Smackdown Results