Nic Nemeth, better known to WWE fans as Dolph Ziggler, recently revealed that he almost walked out of WWE in 2019 after learning the initial plan for his SummerSlam match against WWE Hall of Famer Goldberg. The match, which ended up as a brief squash, was originally intended to be a quick Vince McMahon-approved finish without much competitive storytelling. Nemeth pushed back hard against this direction, threatening to leave the company if he couldn’t have a more meaningful role in the bout.
The Squash Match That Almost Ended Nemeth’s WWE Career
The match between Dolph Ziggler and Goldberg at SummerSlam 2019 is widely remembered for its lightning-fast conclusion, which saw Nemeth take repeated spears and the finishing Jackhammer for a clean loss in a matter of minutes. What fans did not know until recently was that the original plan was an even more simplistic squash: “No, ding, ding, ding, spear, jackhammer,” Nemeth said on the Insight with Chris Van Vliet podcast. This meant no offense, no kick-outs, and no opportunity for Nemeth to showcase his wrestling ability or have any sort of story within the match[1][2].
Nemeth’s disdain for this creative plan was so intense that he confronted Vince McMahon directly. He questioned why he was even involved in the match if all he was going to do was be used as a mere prop for Goldberg’s meteoric finishing sequence. Nemeth reportedly told McMahon, “If I can’t be in this match doing something, then I have to leave this company right now.” The exact quote emphasizes how strongly he felt: “If this is purely for a scarecrow to take a spear and a jackhammer, I don’t want to work here.” This ultimatum almost cost Nemeth his WWE career[1][2].
Fighting for Competitive Spirit in the Match
Nemeth argued passionately that the fans deserved more than a quick squash with no back-and-forth action or moments to engage the live crowd. “I’m fighting. I’m like, it should be something. I should kick him. I should hit him with my finish. I should do something,” he explained, pushing for a narrative beyond just a bell ringing to declare the match over. “There should be something other than a bell, because then there’s no little ride,” he noted, referencing how matches need at least some tension or near falls to keep viewers interested[1][2].
After a tense backstage confrontation, Nemeth was able to convince Vince to add a bit more substance. The revised finish allowed Nemeth to deliver two superkicks—his signature finisher—creating momentary ‘false outs’ before Goldberg ended the contest with his spear and Jackhammer. Nemeth summarized his compromise reaction: “Finally it was a superkick on the bell, get a false out of it. Superkick him again, and then get broken in half. And I go, ‘Yeah, okay, that’s something, at least.’”[1][2]
Backstage Perspective and Impact on Nemeth’s WWE Tenure
According to sources close to WWE, Nemeth’s drastic stance was viewed with mixed feelings backstage but ultimately respected as a veteran standing up for his craft. A WWE insider shared anonymously, “Nic wanted to bring some dignity to a potentially forgettable match. Vince was initially set on the squash to protect Goldberg’s aura, but Dolph’s persistence led to a slightly more competitive bout.” This rare open conflict highlighted the tension between WWE’s booking priorities and wrestlers’ desire to tell real stories in the ring[4].
Nemeth returned to WWE television just a week after SummerSlam, appearing in matches and segments like usual. However, many observers believed this confrontation marked a turning point in how he was viewed creatively. Despite this, Nemeth remained with WWE until his release in September 2023, years after the Goldberg match[1][4].
The Legacy of the Match and Nemeth’s Later Reflections
Over time, the 2019 Ziggler-Goldberg SummerSlam match has gained notoriety on social media, especially as Goldberg himself posted the short match clip years later with a cryptic comment. Nemeth has remained vocal about the experience, often criticizing fans and Goldberg alike for the negative reception. He has highlighted the physical toll the match took on him and the creative frustrations that surrounded it[3][5].
Nemeth’s revelations shed light on the challenges wrestlers face behind the scenes when they want to ensure their performances are meaningful and connected to the audience, even in matches designed to elevate other stars.
