Nick Nemeth Featured in Rio Rancho Observer
6/1/2010 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Related Article on Slam Sports
RIO RANCHO,
N.M. - WWE fans know him as Dolph Ziggler, but back in
Ohio, to many wrestling fans, he's remembered as Nick Nemeth, the
winningest wrestler ever at St. Edward's High School and, after
that, as a three-time Mid-American Conference champ at 165
pounds.
Ziggler, who'll face MVP at the World Wrestling Entertainment
SmackDown show at Santa Ana Star Center Sunday - the action begins
at 5 p.m. - remembered a day long ago that ultimately led to his
decision to become a pro wrestler.
He said he was 5 "when I went to my first WWE event at Richland
Coliseum; since that day forward, I wanted to do what they did."
Soon after, he enrolled in a youth wrestling program, "I walked in
and went, 'Where are the ropes and the turnbuckles?' I decided to
become a professional wrestler at age 12."
Hearing Rio Rancho is a hotbed for high school wrestling, and that
the Star Center annually plays host for the state mat
championships, Ziggler had some advice for youngsters who want to
remain successful in the sport, or someday turn pro, like he
did.
"Drive and determination, for anything you're going to put your
mind to, that's a big part of it," he said. "It's a big pain. I
wrestled for 20 years of my life, just to get a tryout. It takes
all your time, (and) not just when you're at work, when you're at
home. Now, I'm watching tapes, learning how to get
better."
Ziggler said he had three
goals: "to get hired by WWE (check), then win a championship, then
be the best wrestler ever."
Back when he was Nick Nemeth, he wrestled for St. Edward High
School in Lakewood, Ohio, where he holds the school record for most
pins in a career (82). He stayed in Ohio and attended Kent State
University (2000-03), joined the wrestling team and became the
winningest wrestler in Kent State history, winning the MAC three
times at 165 pounds (2000, '02 and '03). Although he's now third on
the all-time wins list, he's still the last KSU matman to win three
titles.
"Two times we were national champions - the program was amazing.
Plus, going to their camps and practices, they made me strive to be
the best," he said of his prep career. "That was a huge stepping
stone, with my drive and determination."
Despite his success on the mats, he wasn't offered a college
scholarship to wrestle.
"A bunch of kids from my high school were being recruited by Ohio
colleges; they went on to become All-Americans, All Big-10. They
got recruited ahead of me," he said. "I walked on as a freshman and
beat the senior who was the starter."
He chuckled as he termed himself a "3.9-time MAC champion. To make
a long story short, it was a decision that was reversed." At the
NCAA championships, "the best I did was finishing a match away from
All-American (status).
Once he finished college, where he had
been wrestling at 165 and cutting weight, he found himself
matched up with a wrestler who outweighed him by 100
pounds. They said "put on weight for another tryout."
He succeeded the next time, made his pro debut in November 2004 and
is now listed at 6-0, 221 pounds.
"My body is holding out - we take some abuse," Ziggler said. "A lot
of my back pain is from a long flight. We protect ourselves pretty
well; I've been pretty lucky so far. Usually my work schedule will
be Saturday through Tuesday; in between, we have to drive or fly to
each city and it's not easy to get a workout in. Sometimes, I get a
hotel workout. I make sure to make up for it - I like to look
good."
Looking good won't be enough to beat MVP Sunday evening.
"He's a good guy," Ziggler said of his opponent. "He doesn't look
as good as me and I think there's a reason he wears a full-body
suit, he doesn't have an eight-pack (of abs). He's a flashy
guy."
Ziggler said there is some scouting involved in the WWE: "I'll
watch tape, not to find a weakness, but watch how he moves and what
he does, what would be the best route, signature moves he does.
"It's all about making a great show."
Ziggler, who'll turn 30 next month, said he's gone "old school,"
employing a sleeper hold, maybe something he saw at the show at
Richland Coliseum more than two decades ago.
"Maybe two months worth," is how long he said he's been working on
the move. "When I was in high school and college, I did work on a
submission-type of style. It's something no one's done in a while -
it's perfect for me. I'm not the biggest guy."
Ziggler was asked what he'd be doing if pro wrestling hadn't panned
out.
"I think about that all the time," he said. "What if I was injured?
Right before my tryout I was living in Phoenix, applying to Arziona
State law school; I was going to become a lawyer - and that still
may happen someday.
"I always thought I'd be a good attorney if I wasn't doing this,"
he said. "I pride myself - I did my work in school and I want to
take myself seriously."
Ziggler was here last year in a WWE show.
"It was actually an awesome show," he recalled. "The fans were
great - the better the turnout, the better it is for us. Our
tickets start at $15: You can't go to a concert for $15. Get the
kids together to enjoy it."
He wishes he'd have more time to see the Land of Enchantment.
"We fly in, get to work; fly out, get to another town," he said.
"It's beautiful, obviously. I see it as we whiz by."
