• Dolph Ziggler Explains Why Vince McMahon Never Saw Him As “The Top Guy”
In his Insight podcast interview with Chris Van Vliet, Dolph Ziggler aka Nic Nemeth reflected on Vince McMahon’s perception of him during his near two-decade WWE run.
Despite being a two-time World Heavyweight Champion, Ziggler said Vince never truly viewed him as “the top guy.” He revealed that McMahon liked his work ethic and charisma but didn’t see him as the face of the company.
According to Nemeth, Vince saw him more as “the guy who gets the girls” – someone who could pull off romantic storylines or flashy segments, but not someone to build the brand around. Nemeth joked that McMahon seemed to reward him with on-screen kisses and relationships instead of championship pushes.
He said he accepted it over time but always felt limited by that ceiling. “Vince liked my work, but didn’t believe I should be the World Champion,” said Ziggler.
Looking back, Nemeth said he now understands that WWE’s creative philosophy often boxed performers into roles based on perception rather than potential. For him, that meant being seen as entertaining but replaceable.
• Raven Admits To Using PEDs: “I got those Jewish genetics that are only good for brain”
During his interview on The Ariel Helwani Show, Raven openly admitted to using performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) during his wrestling career, stating that “everyone did” at the time.
Raven said that early in his career, he was heavily focused on achieving a bodybuilder’s physique and would have taken steroids regardless of wrestling’s culture because he wanted to look like his idols. His desire for a sculpted body came from personal preference rather than pressure from promoters.
“I would have done them anyway because I wanted to be a bodybuilder. I mean, I wanted to look like a bodybuilder my whole life. But I got those Jewish genetics that are only good for brain function but not so good for physicality.”
He clarified that he eventually got clean before joining the WWF in 2000, having already given up both PEDs and recreational drugs by that point. However, he didn’t shy away from acknowledging how deeply involved he once was in that lifestyle.
Raven’s comments shed light on the locker-room realities of the 1990s, when steroids were common and often viewed as necessary for wrestlers to succeed. While he didn’t condemn others for doing the same, he reflected on the long-term damage that lifestyle inflicted on his body – from head trauma to his current Parkinson’s diagnosis.
• Tony Khan Says AEW’s Partnership With DC Is The Closest He’ll Ever Get To Working With John Cena
During an interview with Z100 New York, AEW President Tony Khan was asked about his thoughts on the legacy of John Cena, who will have his final match in WWE on December 13.
Here’s what Khan said:
“I wasn’t expecting that. John Cena is an absolutely legendary pro wrestler who came into the space and became a huge star very quickly on television because he has so much charisma and he’s one of the hardest working people, as far as I know, in pro wrestling.
I’ve never actually met John Cena and I have a ton of respect for him as a wrestler. He seems like a wonderful person. Everybody I know that’s worked with John Cena has only the very, very best things to say about him. And he’s known for being the utmost professional. I think he’s also a very, very talented actor.
I’m a huge fan of the Peacemaker show on HBO Max. AEW Full Gear is presented by DC. DC being the presenting sponsor. We have a great partnership going with DC. So even though I’ve never worked with John Cena in any wrestling capacity, we are partners now with DC. So that may be as close as we ever get.
But I think that he’s absolutely fantastic in the ring and out of the ring, certainly on screen, one of the all time greats and he came into the wrestling business after many of the top stars were either getting ready to retire or entering the final phase of their career. And he really stepped up as one of the biggest wrestling stars of all time.
Even though I’ve never met him or talked to him, I have a ton of respect for him.”
