Former TNA Writer Claims Dolph Ziggler Headed to TNA When WWE Contract Expires

[It's Damn Real!]

Via inquisitr.com:

“I know for a fact that Dolph is TNA bound. It’s been in motion for months already.”​

A part of that “in motion for months already” comment is that Ziggler has been open about his alleged liking for IMPACT wrestling. Not only is Ziggler a fan of the product, but his fandom has apparently landed him in hot water with company officials, and that is part of the reason as to why Ziggler has not been involved in any major storylines recently.

“I’m telling you Ziggler has been praising the Tna shows for over a year. Even said impact was more entertaining than raw. Yes he said that and it got back to WWE and he’s been in limbo ever since. He’s made it clear with people in TNA that he wants in once his deal is up. Just watch.”​

--

Apparently he "hinted" at leaving WWE months ago, tweeting "You’ve got 5 months to prove that I need you. THIS is for everyone screwed over bc they did what they weren’t supposed to do – GET OVER it. you mad bro? sad, for a guy who never loses."

I have no real opinion of Ziggler (other than he has a really stupid fucking name) one way or another, but based on what I'm reading, this would be the "angriest" jump from WWE to TNA since probably Angle, where the guy leaving has a real axe to grind, which could, theoretically, benefit TNA. They've routinely capitalized on this kind of thing well. Most recently with EC3.

 

[Starkist]

Not sure on how true this is now. Another source stated he is not headed to TNA. So who knows at this point.

I would like to see him in TNA. I am a fan of his regardless if people think he is crap or not. Would he draw viewers to TNA? I am not sure but he could work in TNA if they allow him to succeed like they have done with ECIII.

 

[AustinHartLesnarHBKTaz80]

Dont believe everything you read.

Could be true, maybe not.

Maybe Ziggler told the guy to write this to give him some leverage on his contract negotiations, similar to the way Brock showed up at that UFC ppv sitting with Dana White right before his contract was up.

Maybe, that writer guy just needed to post something ridiculous to be relevant in his own mind.

Regardless, i could care less about Ziggler.

He ain't that good, IMO.

I dont see what all the hoopla is about with this guy from the IWC.

He's just a glorified "flopper" with no real entertainment value, wrestling-wise, or on the mic. And that zig zag finisher just sucks. Ok, rant over.

 

[detroitking02]

If Ziggler is unhappy in WWE then that's okay. Outside of WWE the only place in the USA to make good decent money is in TNA. Working for ROH will not get u six figures and GFW only has a few dates and is still trying to get it's business started and Jeff Jarrett isn't gonna pay big long term. So from a business standpoint outside WWE your best bet is TNA if your a star.

 

[Logisticalbooker86]

Dolph Ziggler could certainly be angling for an I win or I leave WWE title match at Survivor Series. This theory has been in the back of my mind since the speculation about his contract began.

I am not really a fan of Ziggler. His ring work can be spectacular when he is on, but overall he is overstated. Character development wise, he has been coasting for several years.

I might watch if he jumps to TNA, but probably not for long. The last WWE alumni to jump ship that I cared about was Christian Cage. I watched TNA Impact and PPV's regularly during that period.

The biggest issue Ziggles has is his concussion history, he might be a concussion away from being done. Admittedly, that is pure speculation on my part.

 

[JJYanks121]

That employee posting about it is pretty darn stupid. Now, even if TNA wants him, they can't have him. He's basically outed Ziggler and TNA for tampering and violating the no compete clause. Because of this idiot, there's zero chance Ziggler goes to TNA.

 

[hatehabsforever]

Personally, I think this is typical of the errant thinking that TNA tends to utilize. Focusing more on recycling guys who have (allegedly) outlived their usefulness in WWE, rather than focusing on improving from within. It would appear, if the reports are accurate (which in all likelihood, they aren't) that TNA are focusing their efforts on signing guys like Rey Mysterio or Dolph Ziggler, while guys like Gunner are being allowed to leave. I have always believed that if TNA could be patient and develop their own talent and therefore their own identity, they would be better served, as opposed to grabbing the most recent talent who leaves, or is released, by WWE.

Dolph Ziggler is a mid card talent at best. If he were more than that, he would have been utilized more prominently by WWE in the first place. So spending months trying to bring him on board seems to be poor usage of time and resources, neither of which in in excess in TNA at the moment. Signing him would spike a little interest, for an episode or two, and then that will be gone. Likewise, signing Rey Mysterio, at this stage of his career, is not going to be the answer to TNA's problems either. Why not focus more on the strengths that they have, and try to build upon it, rather than looking for the golden goose, the quick fix, the next savior.

TNA has produced some talent of their own, either completely homegrown, or damned close to it. This is what they should have been working on replicating for years. Rather than parading in a bunch of guys from elsewhere, why not work on producing their own? It worked pretty good for WWE back in the day.

 

[It's Damn Real!]

That employee posting about it is pretty darn stupid. Now, even if TNA wants him, they can't have him. He's basically outed Ziggler and TNA for tampering and violating the no compete clause. Because of this idiot, there's zero chance Ziggler goes to TNA.

What "rules" are there against tampering in pro wrestling? There is no Collective Bargaining Agreement. There's no union. There's no Wrester's Association.

What can they "violate" here? It's perfectly legal for an independent contractor to negotiate his next job while still under contract, provided he doesn't leave his current employer before his contract expires to show up to work for his next.

 

[It's Damn Real!]

Personally, I think this is typical of the errant thinking that TNA tends to utilize. Focusing more on recycling guys who have (allegedly) outlived their usefulness in WWE, rather than focusing on improving from within. It would appear, if the reports are accurate (which in all likelihood, they aren't) that TNA are focusing their efforts on signing guys like Rey Mysterio or Dolph Ziggler, while guys like Gunner are being allowed to leave. I have always believed that if TNA could be patient and develop their own talent and therefore their own identity, they would be better served, as opposed to grabbing the most recent talent who leaves, or is released, by WWE.

Dolph Ziggler is a mid card talent at best. If he were more than that, he would have been utilized more prominently by WWE in the first place. So spending months trying to bring him on board seems to be poor usage of time and resources, neither of which in in excess in TNA at the moment. Signing him would spike a little interest, for an episode or two, and then that will be gone. Likewise, signing Rey Mysterio, at this stage of his career, is not going to be the answer to TNA's problems either. Why not focus more on the strengths that they have, and try to build upon it, rather than looking for the golden goose, the quick fix, the next savior.

TNA has produced some talent of their own, either completely homegrown, or damned close to it. This is what they should have been working on replicating for years. Rather than parading in a bunch of guys from elsewhere, why not work on producing their own? It worked pretty good for WWE back in the day.

I'm all for them producing their own talent, but when a big free agent is available, you get him if you think he/she can help you, regardless of where he came from. What TNA have mostly been guilty of is foregoing their own talent by hotshotting guys who already have national exposure. Meaning, when they bring in Booker T, they immediately stick him in a feud with Sting, or Angle, or someone else who has the same exposure level, instead of using Booker T to get Daniels over.

They got it right with Angle by pitting him against Joe right off the bat, for example.

There's nothing wrong with them having interest in Ziggler in and of itself. It's how they bring him in and use him that will matter most. The same would hold true of Mysterio or anyone else for that matter.

 

[hatehabsforever]

I'm all for them producing their own talent, but when a big free agent is available, you get him if you think he/she can help you, regardless of where he came from. What TNA have mostly been guilty of is foregoing their own talent by hotshotting guys who already have national exposure. Meaning, when they bring in Booker T, they immediately stick him in a feud with Sting, or Angle, or someone else who has the same exposure level, instead of using Booker T to get Daniels over.

They got it right with Angle by pitting him against Joe right off the bat, for example.

There's nothing wrong with them having interest in Ziggler in and of itself. It's how they bring him in and use him that will matter most. The same would hold true of Mysterio or anyone else for that matter.

Fair enough I guess. And listen, I have no claim to have the ability to read minds or to be able to speak categorically on why anyone does the things that they do. But I think it is a fair assumption to make that Ziggler is a little disgruntled with how he is currently being used by WWE. Presumably he feels that he is not getting the respect he deserves, the push he covets in WWE, and if he in fact has his contract end and he decides to take the plunge, I don't think it's too big of an assumption to make that he will be looking to redeem himself and to prove to the world that he deserves more than what WWE has provided him.

That being said, it's doubtful he is going to come over and put guys like Daniels over (I know he's already gone, just saying). He is coming over with an axe to grind and will be looking to be parachuted right to the top of the pile, and quickly. He's going to be in the title picture very quickly. You know, foregoing their own talent by hotshotting guys with some national exposure right over them. He's likely not coming to TNA to languish in the mid card and put other guys over, he's doing that now in WWE, and for presumably more coin than he will receive in TNA.

Doesn't this do more harm than good in the grand scheme of things? Leapfrogging him over existing talent, again, looking to quickly produce results, rather than letting things evolve naturally? And if TNA sees Dolph Ziggler as a "big free agent", there may be a problem right there and then. I know one thing. If I'm Bobby Roode, or James Storm, or Austin Aries or someone like that, and I'm taking a sudden back seat to Dolph freakin' Ziggler of all people, I'm not very happy. And I'm putting out feelers to NXT and fast. Where the grass may, truly, be greener on the other side.

 

[It's Damn Real!]

Fair enough I guess. And listen, I have no claim to have the ability to read minds or to be able to speak categorically on why anyone does the things that they do. But I think it is a fair assumption to make that Ziggler is a little disgruntled with how he is currently being used by WWE. Presumably he feels that he is not getting the respect he deserves, the push he covets in WWE, and if he in fact has his contract end and he decides to take the plunge, I don't think it's too big of an assumption to make that he will be looking to redeem himself and to prove to the world that he deserves more than what WWE has provided him.

That being said, it's doubtful he is going to come over and put guys like Daniels over (I know he's already gone, just saying). He is coming over with an axe to grind and will be looking to be parachuted right to the top of the pile, and quickly. He's going to be in the title picture very quickly. You know, foregoing their own talent by hotshotting guys with some national exposure right over them. He's likely not coming to TNA to languish in the mid card and put other guys over, he's doing that now in WWE, and for presumably more coin than he will receive in TNA.

Doesn't this do more harm than good in the grand scheme of things? Leapfrogging him over existing talent, again, looking to quickly produce results, rather than letting things evolve naturally? And if TNA sees Dolph Ziggler as a "big free agent", there may be a problem right there and then. I know one thing. If I'm Bobby Roode, or James Storm, or Austin Aries or someone like that, and I'm taking a sudden back seat to Dolph freakin' Ziggler of all people, I'm not very happy. And I'm putting out feelers to NXT and fast. Where the grass may, truly, be greener on the other side.

And that might be OK. Admittedly, I know little to nothing about Ziggler to speak to whether or not he belongs in that role or not, but I'd liken what he wants to what Angle wanted, and got. Angle, if you remember, debuted going nose-to-nose (and bloodying) then NWA champion Samoa Joe. It sent a clear message. I want what you've got — that title. And that was OK. It was OK for a "WWE guy" to come in and challenge a "TNA guy" without climbing the ladder, because in this case, it gave fans a dream match.

I doubt Ziggler is topping anyone's dream match scenarios, but again, I know almost nothing about him as a performer, where he's been, what he's accomplished, etc. with WWE, so I could be speaking out of turn.

From my ignorant position, knowing as little as I know, I'd hope he'd want to come in and "prove it". Like Galloway is doing. Not just be gift wrapped a World Title shot (let alone victory) out of the gate.

 

[JJYanks121]

IDR, it's well known that WWE deals are exclusive deals, down to what kind of media you can do. They are also exclusive wrestling deals of course and it's been a known thing for years that nobody can legally contact a WWE employee while under contract and that guy can't work for your organization until 90 days after they are released from or their WWE contract ends. Thus, if there is ANY foul play here, TNA and Ziggler himself are likely in a lot of trouble.

 

[It's Damn Real!]

IDR, it's well known that WWE deals are exclusive deals, down to what kind of media you can do. They are also exclusive wrestling deals of course and it's been a known thing for years that nobody can legally contact a WWE employee while under contract and that guy can't work for your organization until 90 days after they are released from or their WWE contract ends. Thus, if there is ANY foul play here, TNA and Ziggler himself are likely in a lot of trouble.

Assuming they contracted him, yes. But negotiating isn't contracting. It's the same as you being employed by Home Depot and interviewing at Lowes. Or in a better scenario, you working a six month contract as a contractor with Building A and interviewing with Building B, who you plan to work with when your contract with Building A expires.

There's no legal toes being stepped on here. It's Ziggler and TNA tip toeing around the legal line.

 

[TDFG]

TNA has been having a bit of a clearout.clearout with Knux gone a few weeks ago, and Gunner & Sam Shaw leaving together with Aries looking likely to go as well.

Ziggler vs Storm, Roode, ECIII all sound good to me.

TNA's roster could do with a shake up andI think Ziggler would fit in well if the story has any truth in it.

 

[FitFinlay4Life]

I watch TNA and WWe and I've been a fan of Nick Nemeth. In my eyes, I can see where his frustration has come from - he has never been given a consistent run at the top of the card and has seen guys with similar stature in the ring (Punk, D-Bry and Rollins) come in and been given better chances. JoMo, Shelton Benjamin and ADR are three other guys who have displayed similar disgruntlement.

Should he come to TNA, it would be a great refresh because he has worked with nearly no-one there and the lighter schedule could be a godsend for a performer who does put his body on the line more than he probably should.

As an asides, I wonder if there may be a link between this rumor and JBL's recent RAW commentary allusions that Dolph's ring style is shortening his career...

 

[rmp0012002]

I believe Del Rio and Punk challenged the no compete clause in court and won. If you're fired or your contract is up I don't see how the WWE could enforce that clause legally. The WWE has now raised that period to one year but I don't see how keeping a person unemployed for a year would be upheld by a judge, if that wrestler wanted to sign somewhere else.

 

[yourdamnluck]

Isn't TNA shutting down.

If it's not then ziggler can be a great addition to their roster. They can make stars on their own but that won't bring new fans signing someone like ziggler might. He still can go for 10 years in the less busy TNA schedule.

 

[toddmb]

Honestly don't think there's much truth to this rumour. Apparently Del Rio is making a ton of money touring wherever the hell he wants and having great matches. Say what you want about Ziggler, but I truly believe he has never been presented the way he has deserved to be presented. Every time he gets some momentum going, it is abruptly halted much like other guys that get over on their own (Sandow being a good example). I think the dude can do whatever he wants and make a good living doing it. There is a reason why guys like John Morrison have opted to tour the indies and wrestle in places that give them freedom to do so like Lucha Underground instead of running back to WWE.

 

[kumarjtk]

i wonder if tna airing on tv when dolph contract expires. Better he go with gfw or any other.

 

[Fabulous Freebirds]

i wonder if tna airing on tv when dolph contract expires. Better he go with gfw or any other.

GFW does not have a TV deal either,

Nonetheless, I hope this is true. The guy is a good worker and automatically rejuvenates the TNA brand with his star power.

 

[Eyrothath]

If Ziggler went to TNA he would instantly be pushed straight to the top, possibly as a heel, any PG gimmicks would be axed.. Brodus Clay is a good example, he's a monster heel in TNA, as he should have been in WWE.. He would probably get a name change as well, more than likely..

 

[It's Damn Real!]

If Ziggler went to TNA he would instantly be pushed straight to the top, possibly as a heel, any PG gimmicks would be axed.. Brodus Clay is a good example, he's a monster heel in TNA, as he should have been in WWE.. He would probably get a name change as well, more than likely..

Considering WWE owns the trademark on "Dolph Ziggler", yeah, I'd imagine a name-change would be in order. Let's just hope TNA's suggestion wouldn't be even half as stupid as naming a character "Dolph Ziggler".

If it is, welcome to TNA "Günter Riggler"!

 

[Fire Marshall Bill]

GFW does not have a TV deal either,

Nonetheless, I hope this is true. The guy is a good worker and automatically rejuvenates the TNA brand with his star power.

What star power?

Considering WWE owns the trademark on "Dolph Ziggler", yeah, I'd imagine a name-change would be in order. Let's just hope TNA's suggestion wouldn't be even half as stupid as naming a character "Dolph Ziggler".

If it is, welcome to TNA "Günter Riggler"!

I'm glad even someone who doesn't even watch WWE can see how stupid a name Dolph Ziggler is. There's too many blind marks who think he's God among wrestlers who can't accept no one on this Earth will ever be face of anything with that awful, awful name.

Anyway, assuming any of this is even remotely true, which I doubt really, knowing his skill set and charisma (or mostly lacking thereof) I don't see him making much of a difference in any promotion.

IDR, at least you'll be able to see a wrestler who sells a slap the exact same way he'd sell a Last Call.

 

[It's Damn Real!]

So he's an over-seller, like Flair? If so, that's OK with me. That can actually be a good thing and add dramatic flare (all pun intended) to matches.

 

[Fabulous Freebirds]

What star power?



I'm glad even someone who doesn't even watch WWE can see how stupid a name Dolph Ziggler is. There's too many blind marks who think he's God among wrestlers who can't accept no one on this Earth will ever be face of anything with that awful, awful name.

Anyway, assuming any of this is even remotely true, which I doubt really, knowing his skill set and charisma (or mostly lacking thereof) I don't see him making much of a difference in any promotion.

IDR, at least you'll be able to see a wrestler who sells a slap the exact same way he'd sell a Last Call.

He's been seen on the WWE for the past several years. He's one of the most well liked WWE superstars. Fans want this guy to be pushed. Wrestlers want him to be pushed. He's a star. he is recognizable.