Here to show the world: Ziggler reflects on his WWE career

In a World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) career that has spanned nearly two decades, Dolph Ziggler's resume speaks for itself. 

He's a two time WWE World Heavyweight champion, an NXT champion, he's held the Intercontinental Championship six times, he's been a United States champion twice, while also claiming the Raw Tag Team Championship twice, the SmackDown Tag Team Championship once and is a former Mr. Money in the Bank winner. 

With his list of accomplishments in a 19 year career, it's hard to imagine that the man known as 'The Showoff' has had one singles match at Wrestlemania. 

It was against Otis in a pandemic riddled 2020 year, when the annual Showcase of the Immortals was held  at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida in an empty setting without any fans. 

“I would love to have something that matters so much story wise that people are begging for it at Wrestlemania,” said Ziggler in an interview with CityNews Ottawa. “And then whoever I have that story with, we go out, deliver and just crush and to have that organic crowd involvement would help tell that story even more.”

How it started

Ziggler went to his first wrestling show when he was five-years-old and from that point on, he knew he wanted to be a WWE superstar. 

After a prolific career in amateur wrestling, where he established several school records for Kent State University, he signed a developmental contract with WWE in 2004 and was sent to Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) where he wrestled under his real name, Nick Nemeth.

He was promoted to WWE's RAW brand in 2005 but was sent back to OVW shortly afterwards, being given the name Nicky and joining the cheerleading-themed Spirit Squad, who debuted on RAW in January 2006 and won the World Tag Team Championship once before returning to OVW that November.

In September 2007, he was assigned to Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW), where he won the FCW Florida Tag Team Championship twice. 

Upon his return to the main roster in September 2008, he was repackaged as Dolph Ziggler, and the rest is now history. 

“The whole goal for me, was to get to WWE,” he said. “And I knew I had to work for it so I started putting a plan together. When I wanted Vince McMahon to google my name, I wanted him to see, the first thing that comes up is the winningest wrestler in the history of Kent State University, and I just wanted a shot to prove to him that I can do this.”

The Showoff is here to show the world

And his hard work paid off, with accolade upon accolade in his WWE career. 

He's gone toe to toe, head to head with some of the very best in the business, from the likes of John Cena, Edge, Seth Rollins, Kofi Kingston, The Miz and Randy Orton. 

And, he's had one of the most memorable moments on RAW in the past decade when on April 8, 2013, when he cashed in his WWE Money in the Bank contract to become World Heavyweight champion for a second time.

It's a moment that still stands out for the WWE Universe as wrestling fans have consistently shown support for the 42-year-old. 

Whether he's been a heel or face, Ziggler's relationship with WWE fans across the globe has been undeniable. 

“It was such a cool moment, and I know that meant a lot to our fans,” he said. “I love what I do, and I have so many memorable moments and opponents.”

There was a time when Ziggler was the hotshot young rookie looking to make a name for himself in the WWE locker room that was loaded with future and current WWE hall of famers like The Undertaker, Shawn Michaels, Triple H, Orton, and Cena. 

Today, Ziggler is that locker room leader, a man his peers can turn to for feedback, comments and support. 

“It's cool when someone comes and ask you for your opinion on this, or asks what did you think about that,” said Ziggler. “I've been doing this for 19 years and have come a long way and it means a lot when someone asks you for advice.”

The road to Wrestlemania stops in Ottawa

With the WWE officially on the road to Wrestlemania, Monday Night RAW makes its way back to Canada's capital on Feb. 20 at the Canadian Tire Centre. 

It's the first RAW show in Ottawa since 2010, and Ziggler couldn't be more excited.

“Wrestling fans in Canada are just awesome,” he said. “Wrestling is such a big thing in Canada and I know there's some anxiousness and excitement for us to be back.”