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{{Infobox Wrestler
{{Infobox Wrestler
|name=Nick Nemeth
|name=Nick Nemeth
|image=Dolph Ziggler Milwaukee 090908.jpg
|image =Dolph Ziggler Milwaukee 090908.jpg
|caption=Nemeth as Dolph Ziggler
|names=Nick Nemeth<ref name="OWOW"/><br />Nicky<ref name="OWOW"/><br />Nic Nemeth<ref name="OWOW"/><br />Nick Metro<ref name="May 12-08"/><br />'''Dolph Ziggler'''<ref name=WVreturn/>
|names=Nick Nemeth<ref name="OWOW"/><br />Nicky<ref name="OWOW"/><br />Nic Nemeth<ref name="OWOW"/><br />Nick Metro<ref name="May 12-08"/><br />'''Dolph Ziggler'''<ref name=WVreturn/>
|height={{height|ft=6|in=0}}<ref name="OWOW"/><ref name="slam"/>
|height={{height|ft=6|in=0}}<ref name="OWOW"/><ref name="slam"/>
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==Professional wrestling career==
==Professional wrestling career==
===World Wrestling Entertainment (2004-present)===
===Ohio Valley Wrestling and Raw (2004-2006)===
====Ohio Valley Wrestling & Raw (2004-2006)====
Nemeth signed a developmental deal with [[World Wrestling Entertainment]] (WWE) in 2004 and was assigned to their farm territory [[Ohio Valley Wrestling]] (OVW), debuting as "Nick Nemeth".
Nemeth signed a developmental deal with [[World Wrestling Entertainment]] (WWE) in 2004 and was assigned to their farm territory [[Ohio Valley Wrestling]] (OVW), debuting as "Nick Nemeth".


After working for nearly a year in OVW, Nemeth was called up to the main WWE Raw roster, making his TV debut on the September 25, 2005 episode of ''[[WWE Heat|Sunday Night Heat]]''. He was made the [[Enforcer (professional wrestling)|enforcer]] and sidekick for [[Chavo Guerrero, Jr.]], who was using a [[golf]]er [[List of professional wrestling terms#G|gimmick]] and going by the ring name of "Kerwin White".<ref name="slam"/> As such, Nemeth became White's [[caddy]].<ref name="slam"/> His wrestling debut came on an episode of ''[[WWE Heat|Sunday Night Heat]]'', teaming up with White in a [[tag team]] match against [[Shelton Benjamin]] and [[Matthew Kaye|Matt Striker]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/051017.html|title=WWE Raw Results - October 17, 2005 - Internet Heat Tapings|date=2005-10-17|accessdate=2008-08-09|publisher=Online World Of Wrestling}}</ref> After the death of [[Eddie Guerrero]], Guerrero dropped the "Kerwin White" character, and Nemeth no longer played the role of his caddy and tag partner.<ref name="slam"/> After a few months of wrestling in [[List of professional wrestling terms#D|dark matches]] and at [[house show]]s, he was sent back to OVW.<ref name="slam"/>
After working for nearly a year in OVW, Nemeth was called up to the main WWE Raw roster, making his TV debut on the September 25, 2005 episode of ''[[WWE Heat|Sunday Night Heat]]''. He was made the [[Enforcer (professional wrestling)|enforcer]] and sidekick for [[Chavo Guerrero, Jr.]], who was using a [[golf]]er [[List of professional wrestling terms#G|gimmick]] and going by the ring name of "Kerwin White".<ref name="slam"/> As such, Nemeth became White's [[caddy]].<ref name="slam"/> His wrestling debut came on an episode of ''[[WWE Heat|Sunday Night Heat]]'', teaming up with White in a [[tag team]] match against [[Shelton Benjamin]] and [[Matthew Kaye|Matt Striker]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/051017.html|title=WWE Raw Results - October 17, 2005 - Internet Heat Tapings|date=2005-10-17|accessdate=2008-08-09|publisher=Online World Of Wrestling}}</ref> After the death of [[Eddie Guerrero]], Guerrero dropped the "Kerwin White" character, and Nemeth no longer played the role of his caddy and tag partner.<ref name="slam"/> After a few months of wrestling in [[List of professional wrestling terms#D|dark matches]] and at [[house show]]s, he was sent back to OVW.<ref name="slam"/>


====The Spirit Squad (2006)====
===The Spirit Squad (2006)===
{{main|Spirit Squad}}
{{main|Spirit Squad}}
In OVW, he became a part of [[Spirit Squad|The Spirit Squad]] (under the name "Nicky"), who were eventually called up to ''[[WWE Raw|Raw]]''. On January 23, 2006, they had their television debut, appearing on ''[[WWE Raw|Raw]]'' and helping [[Jonathan Coachman]] win a ''[[Royal Rumble (2006)|Royal Rumble]]'' qualifying match against [[Jerry Lawler|Jerry "The King" Lawler]] by performing cheers for the Coach and distracting Lawler.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/01232006/|title=Ready to Rumble|date=2006-008-08|accessdate=2007-12-26|publisher=WWE}}</ref> They later became a part of the on-going [[Feud (professional wrestling)|feud]] between WWE chairman [[Vince McMahon]] and [[Shawn Michaels]]. The [[Heel (professional wrestling)|heel]] McMahon brought in the Squad to attack Michaels on numerous occasions, including placing them in multiple [[Professional wrestling match types#Handicap match|handicap matches]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/02202006/|title="Big Time" Pedigree|date=2006-02-20|accessdate=2008-08-08|publisher=WWE}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/03132006/|title=Sneak Attack|date=2006-03-13|accessdate=2008-08-08|publisher=WWE}}</ref>
In OVW, he became a part of [[Spirit Squad|The Spirit Squad]] (under the name "Nicky"), who were eventually called up to ''[[WWE Raw|Raw]]''. On January 23, 2006, they had their television debut, appearing on ''[[WWE Raw|Raw]]'' and helping [[Jonathan Coachman]] win a ''[[Royal Rumble (2006)|Royal Rumble]]'' qualifying match against [[Jerry Lawler|Jerry "The King" Lawler]] by performing cheers for the Coach and distracting Lawler.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/01232006/|title=Ready to Rumble|date=2006-008-08|accessdate=2007-12-26|publisher=WWE}}</ref> They later became a part of the on-going [[Feud (professional wrestling)|feud]] between WWE chairman [[Vince McMahon]] and [[Shawn Michaels]]. The [[Heel (professional wrestling)|heel]] McMahon brought in the Squad to attack Michaels on numerous occasions, including placing them in multiple [[Professional wrestling match types#Handicap match|handicap matches]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/02202006/|title="Big Time" Pedigree|date=2006-02-20|accessdate=2008-08-08|publisher=WWE}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/03132006/|title=Sneak Attack|date=2006-03-13|accessdate=2008-08-08|publisher=WWE}}</ref>
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The group was "killed off" on the November 27 ''Raw'' after they were defeated in a 5 on 3 match by DX and Flair. Then, in a backstage segment that night, DX put all the members into a crate stamped "[[Ohio Valley Wrestling|OVW]], [[Louisville, Kentucky]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/11272006/|title=R-K-Anarchy|date=2006-11-27|last=Dee|first=Louie|accessdate=2008-08-08|publisher=WWE}}</ref>
The group was "killed off" on the November 27 ''Raw'' after they were defeated in a 5 on 3 match by DX and Flair. Then, in a backstage segment that night, DX put all the members into a crate stamped "[[Ohio Valley Wrestling|OVW]], [[Louisville, Kentucky]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/11272006/|title=R-K-Anarchy|date=2006-11-27|last=Dee|first=Louie|accessdate=2008-08-08|publisher=WWE}}</ref>


====Return to developmental (2006-2008)====
===Return to developmental (2007-2008)===
Nemeth appeared at the January 17, 2007, OVW taping along with [[Michael Brendli|Mike Mondo]] as the "Frat Pack" and teamed with [[Mike Kruel]] in a match against [[Seth Skyfire]], [[Ronnie Arniell|Shawn Spears]], and [[Cody Rhodes|Cody Runnels]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/ovw/_2007/|title=Ohio Valley Wrestling (2007) - January 17, 2007|date= 2007-01-17|accessdate=2008-08-09|publisher=Online World Of Wrestling}}</ref> The team disbanded in the early parts of 2007, before teaming up again in August.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/ovw/_2007/|title=Ohio Valley Wrestling (2007) - March 24, 2007|date=2007-03-24|accessdate=2008-08-09|publisher=Online World Of Wrestling}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/ovw/_2007/|title=Ohio Valley Wrestling (2007) - August 10, 2007 – OVW Six Flags|date= 2007-08-10|accessdate=2008-08-09|publisher=Online World Of Wrestling}}</ref>
Nemeth appeared at the January 17, 2007, OVW taping along with [[Michael Brendli|Mike Mondo]] as the "Frat Pack" and teamed with [[Mike Kruel]] in a match against [[Seth Skyfire]], [[Ronnie Arniell|Shawn Spears]], and [[Cody Rhodes|Cody Runnels]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/ovw/_2007/|title=Ohio Valley Wrestling (2007) - January 17, 2007|date= 2007-01-17|accessdate=2008-08-09|publisher=Online World Of Wrestling}}</ref> The team disbanded in the early parts of 2007, before teaming up again in August.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/ovw/_2007/|title=Ohio Valley Wrestling (2007) - March 24, 2007|date=2007-03-24|accessdate=2008-08-09|publisher=Online World Of Wrestling}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/ovw/_2007/|title=Ohio Valley Wrestling (2007) - August 10, 2007 – OVW Six Flags|date= 2007-08-10|accessdate=2008-08-09|publisher=Online World Of Wrestling}}</ref>


In September, Nemeth and Mike Mondo were moved to the [[Florida Championship Wrestling]] (FCW) developmental territory and in his debut there defeated [[Hade Vansen]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/fcw/_2007/|title=Florida Championship Wrestling (2007) - September 15, 2007|date=2007-09-15|accessdate=2008-08-09|publisher=Online World Of Wrestling}}</ref> At the beginning of the year 2008, he tweaked his name to "Nic Nemeth" and began teaming with Brad Allen and [[Taryn Terrell]] as their valet. Nemeth and Allen started a [[frat boy]] type [[List of professional wrestling terms#G|gimmick]] with Terrell as a "sorority chick". On March 22, Nemeth and Allen won the [[FCW Florida Tag Team Championship]] by defeating defending champions [[Eddie Colón]] and [[Eric Perez]].<ref name="FCW-tag">{{cite web|url=http://www.solie.org/titlehistories/fttfcw.html|title=FCW Florida Tag Team Title History|last=Fenwick|first=Adam|accessdate=2008-08-09|publisher=Solie's Title Histories}}</ref> On May 12, 2008, he wrestled and lost in a [[List of professional wrestling terms#D|dark match]] to [[Ron Killings]].<ref name="May 12-08">{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/_080512/|title=WWE Raw Results - May 12, 2008|date= 2008-05-12|accessdate=2008-05-12|publisher=Online World Of Wrestling}}</ref> Soon after, however, he returned to the name "Nic Nemeth".<ref name="OWOW"/> He then added the nickname "The Natural" in front of his ring name while also changing his look.<ref name="OWOW"/>
In September, Nemeth and Mike Mondo were moved to the [[Florida Championship Wrestling]] (FCW) developmental territory and in his debut there defeated [[Hade Vansen]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/fcw/_2007/|title=Florida Championship Wrestling (2007) - September 15, 2007|date=2007-09-15|accessdate=2008-08-09|publisher=Online World Of Wrestling}}</ref> At the beginning of the year 2008, he tweaked his name to "Nic Nemeth" and began teaming with Brad Allen and [[Taryn Terrell]] as their valet. Nemeth and Allen started a [[frat boy]] type [[List of professional wrestling terms#G|gimmick]] with Terrell as a "sorority chick". On March 22, Nemeth and Allen won the [[FCW Florida Tag Team Championship]] by defeating defending champions [[Eddie Colón]] and [[Eric Perez]].<ref name="FCW-tag">{{cite web|url=http://www.solie.org/titlehistories/fttfcw.html|title=FCW Florida Tag Team Title History|last=Fenwick|first=Adam|accessdate=2008-08-09|publisher=Solie's Title Histories}}</ref> On May 12, 2008, he wrestled and lost in a [[List of professional wrestling terms#D|dark match]] to [[Ron Killings]].<ref name="May 12-08">{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/_080512/|title=WWE Raw Results - May 12, 2008|date= 2008-05-12|accessdate=2008-05-12|publisher=Online World Of Wrestling}}</ref> Soon after, however, he returned to the name "Nic Nemeth".<ref name="OWOW"/> He then added the nickname "The Natural" in front of his ring name while also changing his look.<ref name="OWOW"/>


====Dolph Ziggler (2008-present)====
===Dolph Ziggler (2008-present)===
=====Raw (2008-2009)=====
On September 15, 2008, Nemeth re-debuted on ''Raw'', introducing himself in a backstage segment, with a new image, under the name "Dolph Ziggler".<ref name=WVreturn/> On October 10, 2008, Nemeth was suspended for 30 days for his first violation of WWE's [[World Wrestling Entertainment#Wellness Program|Wellness Program policy]].<ref name="suspension">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/dolphzigglersuspended|title=Dolph Ziggler suspended for 30 days|date=2008-10-10|accessdate=2008-10-10|publisher=WWE}}</ref> He returned to ''Raw'' on November 17 in a backstage segment with Rey Mysterio and Shawn Michaels. In his first match on ''Raw'' under the Ziggler name, he lost to [[Dave Batista|Batista]], getting a deal of offense in the form of high impact moves, on the December 1 episode.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2008/12/02/7605616.html|title=Raw: Enemies of Jericho's enemies become his friends|date=2008-12-02|last=Tylwalk|first=Nick|accessdate=2009-03-26|publisher=SLAM! Sports}}</ref> The next week he got his first victory as Dolph Ziggler, by countout, against [[Ron Killings|R-Truth]]<ref>{{cite web|url= http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2008/12/08/7678596.html|title=Raw: A night of Slammys, solid matches|date=2008-12-08|last= Bishop|first=Matt|accessdate=2009-03-26|publisher=SLAM! Sports}}</ref>. The following week on ''Raw'', he picked up his first televised pinfall victory as Ziggler, when he beat [[Charlie Haas]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2008/12/16/7764326.html|title=Raw: Legacy building in Pittsburgh|date=2008-12-16|last=Tylwalk|first=Nick|accessdate=2009-03-26|publisher= SLAM! Sports}}</ref>
On September 15, 2008, Nemeth re-debuted on ''Raw'', introducing himself in a backstage segment, with a new image, under the name "Dolph Ziggler".<ref name=WVreturn/> On October 10, 2008, Nemeth was suspended for 30 days for his first violation of WWE's [[World Wrestling Entertainment#Wellness Program|Wellness Program policy]].<ref name="suspension">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/dolphzigglersuspended|title=Dolph Ziggler suspended for 30 days|date=2008-10-10|accessdate=2008-10-10|publisher=WWE}}</ref> He returned to ''Raw'' on November 17 in a backstage segment with Rey Mysterio and Shawn Michaels. In his first match on ''Raw'' under the Ziggler name, he lost to [[Dave Batista|Batista]], getting a deal of offense in the form of high impact moves, on the December 1 episode.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2008/12/02/7605616.html|title=Raw: Enemies of Jericho's enemies become his friends|date=2008-12-02|last=Tylwalk|first=Nick|accessdate=2009-03-26|publisher=SLAM! Sports}}</ref> The next week he got his first victory as Dolph Ziggler, by countout, against [[Ron Killings|R-Truth]]<ref>{{cite web|url= http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2008/12/08/7678596.html|title=Raw: A night of Slammys, solid matches|date=2008-12-08|last= Bishop|first=Matt|accessdate=2009-03-26|publisher=SLAM! Sports}}</ref>. The following week on ''Raw'', he picked up his first televised pinfall victory as Ziggler, when he beat [[Charlie Haas]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2008/12/16/7764326.html|title=Raw: Legacy building in Pittsburgh|date=2008-12-16|last=Tylwalk|first=Nick|accessdate=2009-03-26|publisher= SLAM! Sports}}</ref>

=====SmackDown (2009-present)=====
On April 15, 2009, Nemeth was drafted to the [[WWE Friday Night SmackDown|SmackDown]] brand as part of the [[2009 WWE Draft#Supplemental draft|2009 Supplemental Draft]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/2009draft/2009supplementaldraftresults/|title=2009 WWE Supplemental Draft results|date=2009-04-15|accessdate=2009-04-15|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref> He made his debut on the April 17 episode of ''SmackDown'', defeating the [[WWE United States Championship|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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2009/04/18/9157721.html|title=Smackdown: Batista takes a bite out of Legacy|date=2009-04-18|last=McNamara|first=Andy|accessdate=2009-04-18|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/04242009/|title=Bedlam beckons Backlash|date=2009-04-24|last=Burdick|first=Michael|accessdate=2009-05-02|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref> On the May 1 episode of ''SmackDown'', however, he failed to win the championship, after he was pinned by MVP.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2009/05/01/9320941.html|title=Punk wins, but Hardy stands tall|date=2009-05-01|last=McNamara|first=Andy|accessdate=2009-05-02|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref> Ziggler started a rivalry with [[Dalip Singh|The Great Khali]], losing by disqualification after attacking him with a steel chair. However over the next few weeks Ziggler defeated Khali by countout and disqualification after making it look like Khali had struck him with a steel chair. <!-- DO NOT ADD WEEK BY WEEK EVENTS, RUMORS OR SPECULATION. THIS INCLUDES ANNOUNCED MATCHES THAT HAVE NOT YET OCCURRED. WIKIPEDIA IS NOT A NEWS SITE BUT AN ONLINE ENCYCLOPEDIA. Please see the articles "Wikipedia:What Wikipedia is not" and "Wikipedia:Guide to writing better articles" for more information. -->
On April 15, 2009, Nemeth was drafted to the [[WWE Friday Night SmackDown|SmackDown]] brand as part of the [[2009 WWE Draft#Supplemental draft|2009 Supplemental Draft]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/2009draft/2009supplementaldraftresults/|title=2009 WWE Supplemental Draft results|date=2009-04-15|accessdate=2009-04-15|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref> He made his debut on the April 17 episode of ''SmackDown'', defeating the [[WWE United States Championship|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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2009/04/18/9157721.html|title=Smackdown: Batista takes a bite out of Legacy|date=2009-04-18|last=McNamara|first=Andy|accessdate=2009-04-18|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/04242009/|title=Bedlam beckons Backlash|date=2009-04-24|last=Burdick|first=Michael|accessdate=2009-05-02|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref> On the May 1 episode of ''SmackDown'', however, he failed to win the championship, after he was pinned by MVP.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2009/05/01/9320941.html|title=Punk wins, but Hardy stands tall|date=2009-05-01|last=McNamara|first=Andy|accessdate=2009-05-02|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref> Ziggler started a rivalry with [[The Great Khali]], losing by disqualification after attacking him with a steel chair. However over the next few weeks Ziggler defeated Khali by countout and disqualification after making it look like Khali had struck him with a steel chair. <!-- DO NOT ADD WEEK BY WEEK EVENTS, RUMORS OR SPECULATION. THIS INCLUDES ANNOUNCED MATCHES THAT HAVE NOT YET OCCURRED. WIKIPEDIA IS NOT A NEWS SITE BUT AN ONLINE ENCYCLOPEDIA. Please see the articles "Wikipedia:What Wikipedia is not" and "Wikipedia:Guide to writing better articles" for more information. -->


==In wrestling==
==In wrestling==

Revision as of 02:51, 26 June 2009

Nick Nemeth
Born (1980-07-27) July 27, 1980 (age 43)[1][2]
Cleveland, Ohio[1][2]
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Nick Nemeth[1]
Nicky[1]
Nic Nemeth[1]
Nick Metro[3]
Dolph Ziggler[4]
Billed height6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)[1][2]
Billed weight213 lb (97 kg)[1][2]
Billed fromHollywood, California
Trained byLance Storm
Al Snow
Mike Bucci
DebutNovember 2004[1]

Nicholas Theodore "Nick" Nemeth[1] (born July 27, 1980)[1][2] is an American professional wrestler, currently working for World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) under the name Dolph Ziggler on the SmackDown brand.[4] He is also known for his performances as Spirit Squad member Nicky from 2006.

Nemeth signed a development contract with WWE in 2004, and was sent to Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW). He was brought up to the Raw brand in 2005 as Kerwin White's sidekick. He was, however, sent back to OVW shortly afterwards, where he joined the Spirit Squad. They debuted on Raw in January 2006, and won the World Tag Team Championship before returning to OVW that November. In September 2007, Nemeth was assigned to Florida Championship Wrestling, where he formed a tag team with Brad Allen. He returned to Raw as Ziggler in September 2008.

Nemeth is a former World Tag Team Champion as a member of the Spirit Squad, and has also held the FCW Florida Tag Team Championship twice; once with Brad Allen, and once with Gavin Spears.

Early life

Nemeth attended the Roman Catholic 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.[2] After graduating, he attended Kent State University, and joined their wrestling team, eventually setting the record for most career wins in the school's history.[2]

Professional wrestling career

Ohio Valley Wrestling and Raw (2004-2006)

Nemeth signed a developmental deal with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) in 2004 and was assigned to their farm territory Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW), debuting as "Nick Nemeth".

After working for nearly a year in OVW, Nemeth was called up to the main WWE Raw roster, making his TV debut on the September 25, 2005 episode of Sunday Night Heat. He was made the enforcer and sidekick for Chavo Guerrero, Jr., who was using a golfer gimmick and going by the ring name of "Kerwin White".[2] As such, Nemeth became White's caddy.[2] 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.[5] After the death of Eddie Guerrero, Guerrero dropped the "Kerwin White" character, and Nemeth no longer played the role of his caddy and tag partner.[2] After a few months of wrestling in dark matches and at house shows, he was sent back to OVW.[2]

The Spirit Squad (2006)

In OVW, he became a part of The Spirit Squad (under the name "Nicky"), who were eventually called up to Raw. On January 23, 2006, they had their television debut, appearing on Raw and helping Jonathan Coachman win a Royal Rumble qualifying match against Jerry "The King" Lawler by performing cheers for the Coach and distracting Lawler.[6] They later became a part of the on-going feud between WWE chairman Vince McMahon and Shawn Michaels. The heel McMahon brought in the Squad to attack Michaels on numerous occasions, including placing them in multiple handicap matches.[7][8]

File:Spirit-Squad.jpg
Nemeth as Nicky, with Mikey and Johnny in The Spirit Squad

They also wrestled in the tag team division, and on April 3, on Raw, won the World Tag Team Championship when Kenny and Mikey, with outside help from the other three Squad members, defeated Kane and The Big Show.[9][10] After winning the titles The Spirit Squad defended the titles under the Freebird Rule.

Three weeks later, McMahon signed another Handicap match, with the Spirit Squad facing Michaels. The Spirit Squad instead attacked Michaels before the match had started, and Triple H came out to help them, Kenny disrespected him, leading to Triple H helping Shawn Michaels instead.[11] This led to Triple H and Michaels reforming D-Generation X (DX) and they began a feud with the Spirit Squad.[12][13] DX played various sophomoric jokes on the Squad and the McMahons, as well as defeating the Spirit Squad in handicap tag matches at Vengeance and a clean sweep in an elimination handicap match at Saturday Night's Main Event.[13][14][15][16]

At the same time as their feud with DX and their alignment with McMahon, the team also wrestled other teams in Raw's tag division over their World Tag Team Title, successfully defending the championship against the teams of Jim Duggan and Eugene, Charlie Haas and Viscera, and Snitsky and Val Venis,[14] They then entered a lengthy feud with The Highlanders, whom they eventually defeated to retain the titles at Unforgiven.[17][18]

The Squad as a whole later began a losing streak with separate members losing singles matches to Ric Flair on consecutive episodes of Raw.[19][20] After two consecutive losses to the debuting Cryme Tyme, Kenny attacked Mikey and announced that he was going to defeat Flair, since no other member was able to do it; he succeeded, despite Flair attempting to even the odds by bringing other WWE Legends,Dusty Rhodes, Sgt. Slaughter, and "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, to the ring with him.[21][22] It was then decided that Flair and one of the legends would wrestle the Squad at Cyber Sunday for the Tag Team Championship.[22] The fans chose Piper, and he and Flair defeated Kenny and Mikey to win the title.[23]

The group was "killed off" on the November 27 Raw after they were defeated in a 5 on 3 match by DX and Flair. Then, in a backstage segment that night, DX put all the members into a crate stamped "OVW, Louisville, Kentucky".[24]

Return to developmental (2007-2008)

Nemeth appeared at the January 17, 2007, OVW taping along with Mike Mondo as the "Frat Pack" and teamed with Mike Kruel in a match against Seth Skyfire, Shawn Spears, and Cody Runnels.[25] The team disbanded in the early parts of 2007, before teaming up again in August.[26][27]

In September, Nemeth and Mike Mondo were moved to the Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW) developmental territory and in his debut there defeated Hade Vansen.[28] At the beginning of the year 2008, he tweaked his name to "Nic Nemeth" and began teaming with Brad Allen and Taryn Terrell as their valet. Nemeth and Allen started a frat boy type gimmick with Terrell as a "sorority chick". On March 22, Nemeth and Allen won the FCW Florida Tag Team Championship by defeating defending champions Eddie Colón and Eric Perez.[29] On May 12, 2008, he wrestled and lost in a dark match to Ron Killings.[3] Soon after, however, he returned to the name "Nic Nemeth".[1] He then added the nickname "The Natural" in front of his ring name while also changing his look.[1]

Dolph Ziggler (2008-present)

On September 15, 2008, Nemeth re-debuted on Raw, introducing himself in a backstage segment, with a new image, under the name "Dolph Ziggler".[4] On October 10, 2008, Nemeth was suspended for 30 days for his first violation of WWE's Wellness Program policy.[30] He returned to Raw on November 17 in a backstage segment with Rey Mysterio and Shawn Michaels. In his first match on Raw under the Ziggler name, he lost to Batista, getting a deal of offense in the form of high impact moves, on the December 1 episode.[31] The next week he got his first victory as Dolph Ziggler, by countout, against R-Truth[32]. The following week on Raw, he picked up his first televised pinfall victory as Ziggler, when he beat Charlie Haas.[33]

On April 15, 2009, Nemeth was drafted to the SmackDown brand as part of the 2009 Supplemental Draft.[34] He made his debut on the April 17 episode of SmackDown, defeating the 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.[35][36] On the May 1 episode of SmackDown, however, he failed to win the championship, after he was pinned by MVP.[37] Ziggler started a rivalry with The Great Khali, losing by disqualification after attacking him with a steel chair. However over the next few weeks Ziggler defeated Khali by countout and disqualification after making it look like Khali had struck him with a steel chair.

In wrestling

Championships and accomplishments

&*PWI ranked #134 in the PWI 500 for 2006.[38]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Dolph Ziggler Profile". Online World Of Wrestling. Retrieved 2008-04-27.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Milner, John M. (2006-12-19). "Nick Nemeth". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved 2006-12-19.
  3. ^ a b "WWE Raw Results - May 12, 2008". Online World Of Wrestling. 2008-05-12. Retrieved 2008-05-12.
  4. ^ a b c Martin, Adam (2008-09-16). "Dark match from Raw in Memphis, identity of wrestler, The Condemned". WrestleView. Retrieved 2008-09-16.
  5. ^ "WWE Raw Results - October 17, 2005 - Internet Heat Tapings". Online World Of Wrestling. 2005-10-17. Retrieved 2008-08-09.
  6. ^ "Ready to Rumble". WWE. 2006-008-08. Retrieved 2007-12-26. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  7. ^ ""Big Time" Pedigree". WWE. 2006-02-20. Retrieved 2008-08-08.
  8. ^ "Sneak Attack". WWE. 2006-03-13. Retrieved 2008-08-08.
  9. ^ "The Champ bows down to the "King of Kings"". WWE. 2006-04-03. Retrieved 2008-08-08.
  10. ^ a b "History Of The World Tag Team Championship - Spirit Squad". WWE. 2006-04-03. Retrieved 2008-08-09.
  11. ^ Dee, Louie (2006-05-22). "Apology Accepted?". WWE. Retrieved 2008-08-08.
  12. ^ Dee, Louie (2006-06-19). "DX breaks it down". WWE. Retrieved 2008-08-08.
  13. ^ a b Dee, Louie (2006-06-26). "It happens". WWE. Retrieved 2008-08-08.
  14. ^ a b Williams III, Ed (2006-07-03). "Stolen Championship". WWE. Retrieved 2008-08-08.
  15. ^ Dee, Louie (2006-06-25). "DX breaks down the Spirit Squad". WWE. Retrieved 2008-08-08.
  16. ^ Zeigler, Zack (2006-07-15). "DX dismantles the Spirit Squad". WWE. Retrieved 2008-08-08.
  17. ^ Zeigler, Zack (2006-07-24). "Samoan Sabotage". WWE. Retrieved 2008-08-08.
  18. ^ Zeigler, Zack (2006-07-31). "HBK gets smoked". WWE. Retrieved 2008-08-08.
  19. ^ Zeigler, Zack (2006-09-18). "Winning the war". WWE. Retrieved 2008-08-08.
  20. ^ Zeigler, Zack (2006-10-09). "Cyber Sunday Blockbuster". WWE. Retrieved 2008-01-21.
  21. ^ Zeigler, Zack (2006-10-16). "Let the voting begin". WWE. Retrieved 2008-08-08.
  22. ^ a b Zeigler, Zack (2006-10-23). "On the same page?". WWE. Retrieved 2008-08-08.
  23. ^ Zeigler, Zack (2006-11-05). "Golden Legends". WWE. Retrieved 2008-08-08.
  24. ^ Dee, Louie (2006-11-27). "R-K-Anarchy". WWE. Retrieved 2008-08-08.
  25. ^ "Ohio Valley Wrestling (2007) - January 17, 2007". Online World Of Wrestling. 2007-01-17. Retrieved 2008-08-09.
  26. ^ "Ohio Valley Wrestling (2007) - March 24, 2007". Online World Of Wrestling. 2007-03-24. Retrieved 2008-08-09.
  27. ^ "Ohio Valley Wrestling (2007) - August 10, 2007 – OVW Six Flags". Online World Of Wrestling. 2007-08-10. Retrieved 2008-08-09.
  28. ^ "Florida Championship Wrestling (2007) - September 15, 2007". Online World Of Wrestling. 2007-09-15. Retrieved 2008-08-09.
  29. ^ a b Fenwick, Adam. "FCW Florida Tag Team Title History". Solie's Title Histories. Retrieved 2008-08-09.
  30. ^ "Dolph Ziggler suspended for 30 days". WWE. 2008-10-10. Retrieved 2008-10-10.
  31. ^ Tylwalk, Nick (2008-12-02). "Raw: Enemies of Jericho's enemies become his friends". SLAM! Sports. Retrieved 2009-03-26.
  32. ^ Bishop, Matt (2008-12-08). "Raw: A night of Slammys, solid matches". SLAM! Sports. Retrieved 2009-03-26.
  33. ^ Tylwalk, Nick (2008-12-16). "Raw: Legacy building in Pittsburgh". SLAM! Sports. Retrieved 2009-03-26.
  34. ^ "2009 WWE Supplemental Draft results". World Wrestling Entertainment. 2009-04-15. Retrieved 2009-04-15.
  35. ^ McNamara, Andy (2009-04-18). "Smackdown: Batista takes a bite out of Legacy". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved 2009-04-18.
  36. ^ Burdick, Michael (2009-04-24). "Bedlam beckons Backlash". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 2009-05-02.
  37. ^ McNamara, Andy (2009-05-01). "Punk wins, but Hardy stands tall". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved 2009-05-02.
  38. ^ "Pro Wrestling Illustrated Top 500 - 2006". Wrestling Information Archive. Retrieved 2008-08-05.

External links

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