A new report has provided details on what could be next for Dolph Ziggler should he leave WWE when his contract expires in the upcoming weeks. As previously noted, Ziggler’s deal runs out soon and he’s been looking into what his options are outside of wrestling for WWE.
Dave Meltzer of F4Wonline.com and the Wrestling Observer Newsletter has published a “what could be next” type of report for Ziggler. He writes,
“Regarding any rumors going around about Ziggler, his contract and leaving, this is the situation. Ziggler’s contract does expire in a few months and there are those close to him that have said he is at least considering what decision to make regarding his future that wouldn’t include WWE.
I’ve got no idea what he’s going to do, past the idea he has talked with people about his options away from the promotion. There are also things he’s written on twitter that give the impression he’s at least considering his options.
He has been doing stand-up comedy of late, but nobody has raved about his work there, and that’s likely to just be a hobby. There is interest in him from both New Japan and Lucha Underground, and you know that TNA would do anything to try and get him. At the same time, nobody knows what the situation is long-term with Lucha Underground and TNA right now. The New Japan/ROH combination that the Young Bucks and A.J. Styles do, as well as doing other indies, maybe AAA big shows as well, and in particular, the U.K. shows, and he’d do well.
He wouldn’t make what he’s currently earning in WWE, but if he could get a New Japan deal at the same level as Styles, he could probably do $350,000 to $400,000 per year outside of WWE, and that’s also eliminating a lot of the road expenses since on the indie scene his trans and hotels would be paid for. He would also have time for an outside entertainment career such as acting and such.
Even though he’d work fewer dates, it could be harder on his body based on the fan demands of the high-level U.S. indies and New Japan, even though he always works hard. He’ll have fewer limitations and hold-backs in the ring, but in doing so, it often wears the body out faster.
He’s obviously going to be frustrated here because he’s one of those guys who has always been more over with the audience than his push, and those kind of guys usually do well on the indies. Everyone has different motivations, but in checking around, we’ve heard nothing about him putting out any feelers with anybody.”
While no one knows for sure just yet Ziggler is going to do when his contract expires, one thing is for sure: He has yet to re-sign a new deal as of June 24.
Editor’s Note:
I’d hate to see Ziggler go, but he’d make a killing working a lighter schedule. Watching him wrestle guys like AJ Styles would be amazing.