Dolph Ziggler will return to a professional wrestling ring in January 2024 following his shock release from WWE earlier in the year.
Now going by his real name Nic Nemeth, the former World Champion appeared via video on the Lucha Libre Online social media channel to issue a challenge to Ray González for a match at WWC Euphoria on January 20 in Puerto Rico.
Ladies and gentlemen, it doesn’t get any bigger than this. That’s right, WWC Euphoria Puerto Rico, baby! The most wanted man in professional wrestling today, the hottest free agent, and I am laying it down, baby. I’m laying down a challenge in Puerto Rico for Mr. Ray-tings, Ray González. You think you can step foot in the ring with me and go toe-to-toe with the best damn thing going today?
On January 20, WWC Euphoria, Mr. Ray-tings, the most wanted man Nic Nemeth is coming for you, if you got the guts.
El dos veces World Heavyweight Champion en la WWE, The Most Wanted Man, Nic Nemeth, tendrá su primera lucha en Puerto Rico. Su oponente seleccionado, El Más Grande de todos los tiempos en Puerto Rico, Ray González. ¿Aceptará el reto Mr. Rayting? 👀
WWC presenta Día de Reyes, el… pic.twitter.com/tnkDvjrEm9
— Lucha Libre Online (@luchalibreonlin) December 10, 2023
González is a very successful performer in WWC, having won the Universal Heavyweight Championship 21 times in his career, the second highest in the promotion. Legendary Puerto Rican wrestler and Hall of Famer Carlos Colón holds the top spot with 26 reigns.
After nearly 2 decades with the company, Dolph Ziggler was released from the company in September as part of the first round of talent releases following the completion of the merger with UFC and subsequent Endeavor takeover. As is the case with main roster releases, all talent are subject to 90-day no-compete clauses, meaning that they are unable to appear for other wrestling promotions until after this date.
Could Dolph Ziggler Make WWE Return?
Following the announcement that the veteran had been released from his contract, multiple big names from the wrestling world showed their support for Ziggler, including The Rock. As has been shown by history, few are gone from the promotion forever and talents have been brought back if they have made a big enough name for themselves on the independent circuit. One name who knows Dolph Ziggler very well, AEW announcer Jim Ross, predicts that a future WWE return will happen.
H/t to F4WOnline.