WWE loves a good surprise, and this week’s RAW delivered one that hit right in the nostalgia.
Madison Square Garden is practically home turf for the company, and the November 17 episode gave fans a moment they didn’t see coming. Dolph Ziggler who has spent the past couple of years working as Nic Nemeth stepped back into a WWE ring under the name that made him a star.
He was revealed as the mystery entrant in the Last Time Is Now Tournament. Solo Sikoa had no idea who he’d be facing, and his reaction told the whole story. Whether this is a one-night return or the start of something bigger isn’t clear, but the crowd in MSG erupted the second Ziggler appeared.
🚨 DOLPH ZIGGLER IS BACK 🚨
— TribaI Wrestling (@TribalMegastar) November 18, 2025
DOLPH ZIGGLER IS SOLO SIKOA'S OPPONENT 🤯#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/OUGhRChTLf
Ziggler was released in 2023 and has been tearing it up on the indie scene and in TNA since then. He’s popped up on NXT as part of the TNA crossover, but showing up on RAW again is on another level especially in a building like Madison Square Garden.
He’s not the only former WWE name tied to John Cena to resurface during this tournament either. Zack Ryder appeared on SmackDown and immediately shot to the top of WWE Shop sales. Fans may do the same with classic Ziggler merch after tonight.
Ziggler’s surprise return landed big. Whether it leads to more appearances is the real question.