Former WWE Superstar Nic Nemeth has revealed that WWE contacted him several times regarding a possible return before his appearance in The Last Time Is Now Tournament connected to John Cena’s ongoing farewell storyline.
Speaking during an interview with That Sweet Pop, Nemeth opened up about his post-WWE journey and explained why leaving the company was never about frustration or resentment. Instead, he viewed it as an opportunity to challenge himself outside the WWE environment after spending nearly two decades there.
Nemeth, formerly known to WWE fans as Dolph Ziggler, said he originally expected his time on the independent wrestling scene to be relatively short. However, the experience lasted longer than anticipated and ultimately became an important part of his career growth.
During the interview, Nemeth pointed to longtime friend Matt Cardona as an example of a wrestler who intentionally rebuilt himself outside WWE before eventually making his return.
“Matt Cardona always said his goal was to become the best independent wrestler and get back to WWE someday,” Nemeth explained. “He said it for years and he accomplished that goal.”
While Cardona openly pursued a WWE comeback, Nemeth said his own mindset was very different after departing the company. Rather than planning an eventual return, he wanted to discover whether he could thrive in completely different wrestling environments.
“I’d been in WWE for 19 and a half years,” Nemeth said. “I probably overstayed my welcome by a few years, but that’s okay. I needed to go somewhere else and prove to myself that I could adapt everywhere — not just in WWE.”
Despite recent reports that WWE reached out to him multiple times about returning, Nemeth emphasized that he never left the company on bad terms. In fact, he described WWE as the greatest job he has ever had and spoke positively about the opportunities and experiences he received during his tenure.
“I didn’t leave thinking, ‘Can I come back in two years?’” Nemeth said. “I left saying thank you for everything. This was the greatest job I’ve ever had. So many moments, so many opportunities. But I needed to go somewhere else to prove something to myself.”
Nemeth’s comments arrive at a time when WWE has increasingly embraced surprise returns and crossover appearances involving former stars. Over the past year, several previously released talents have either returned to the company or appeared in special projects tied to major storylines.
Although Nemeth did not confirm whether a full-time WWE comeback is currently being discussed, his latest remarks strongly suggest the relationship between both sides remains positive. With WWE continuing to lean heavily into nostalgia, returning stars, and veteran appearances during major events, speculation surrounding Nemeth’s future involvement with the company is likely to continue growing among fans.
For now, Nemeth appears focused on continuing to build his legacy outside WWE while remaining open about the respect he still holds for the company that helped define much of his career.
