The Miz has shared why Dolph Ziggler’s departure from WWE last September was especially hard for him, revealing that Ziggler was the last close friend from his core group in the company. The Miz, a seasoned wrestler currently on the SmackDown roster, discussed this in detail during a recent interview on the Insight podcast with Chris Van Vliet, emphasizing the personal and professional impact of Ziggler’s exit.
Why Dolph Ziggler’s Release Struck a Personal Chord with The Miz
In his conversation with Chris Van Vliet, The Miz explained that seeing Ziggler leave WWE was difficult because it marked the loss of his last significant close friend within the promotion. Although he maintains friendships with others in the locker room, Ziggler represented his core circle. The Miz reflected on the quality of their matches and how Ziggler played a pivotal role during his Intercontinental Title reign, helping elevate the prestige of that championship.
“That was a tough one for me to see him go, because it was kind of like the last of my really core group of friends. I have friends, obviously, in the locker room, but that was my core group of friends. I was like man, I’ve had such great matches with Dolph too. Him putting his career up and me the IC Title. That whole IC title reign, he was a big part of elevating that title as well. During that time for me, and so to see him go is tough, but that’s the name of this business, it happens, those type of things happen,” he said. ?The Miz, WWE Wrestler
The Miz’s Perspective on John Cena’s Final WWE Match
The Miz also commented on John Cena’s retirement bout, where Cena lost to Gunther at Saturday Night’s Main Event. Speaking on the UNLIKELY podcast with Adrian Hernandez, The Miz praised the match as an ideal ending for Cena’s in-ring career. He observed what appeared to be a grimace rather than a smile from Cena before submitting, highlighting the emotional weight of the moment and the significance of Gunther’s victory.
“That match with Gunther, it was everything you wanted it to be. It was the perfect last match for John Cena, the perfect foil for his baby face. And to see him, some people say he was smiling, I don’t know. It looked kind of like a grimace to me. And then him to finally giving up to a person like Gunther, and then to watch Gunther come out on Monday, that’s what I wanted to see. That’s the number one thing I wanted to see,” he said. ?The Miz, WWE Wrestler
Context on Dolph Ziggler’s WWE Career and Recent Return
Dolph Ziggler made a comeback to WWE last year to participate in the Last Time is Now Tournament, which was designed to determine John Cena’s final opponent before retirement. Despite his return, Ziggler was eliminated by Solo Sikoa and was released shortly afterward. This departure marked a significant moment not only for Ziggler but also for The Miz, who valued their connection both professionally and personally.
Impact of Ziggler’s Departure on WWE Dynamics
With Dolph Ziggler’s exit, The Miz faces changes in his support network within the WWE locker room. The loss of a core friend and talented opponent affects both the personal atmosphere backstage and the on-screen competitive environment. The Miz’s reflections underscore the challenges wrestlers face amid roster shifts and the emotional toll such changes bring to those committed to the company’s evolving landscape.
As WWE continues to evolve its roster and storylines, The Miz remains a key figure on SmackDown, navigating these transitions while honoring the contributions of former colleagues like Dolph Ziggler. His candid thoughts emphasize the human side of the wrestling business, where friendships and competition often intertwine.
