Video: Former WWE Star Dolph Ziggler Debuts for TNA at Hard to Kill PPV as Nic Nemeth

TNA did not wait long to make an instant impact upon the return to its original branding.

The company made its long-awaited switch from Impact to TNA at Saturday's Hard to Kill pay-per-view, which featured the debut of Nic Nemeth (formerly known as Dolph Ziggler).

Nemeth, who also recently showed up at New Japan, attacked TNA champion Moose following his win over Alex Shelley.

Nemeth has spent his entire pro wrestling career in WWE after signing a developmental deal with the company in 2004. After fumbling through a pair of cringe-worthy gimmicks as Chavo Guerrero's caddie and a member of the spirit squad, Nemeth eventually found a gimmick and name that stuck when he re-debuted in 2008 as Dolph Ziggler.

Over the next decade-and-a-half, Ziggler would become known as one of WWE's most reliable workers. He won the World Heavyweight Championship twice, was a six-time Intercontinental champion and two-time United States champion in addition to holding tag-team gold on four occasions. The 43-year-old is one of just 33 Triple Crown champions in WWE history.

While Nemeth was once one of WWE's brightest stars, he faded into the background in recent years. He had not wrestled a match since last May at the time of his release in September and had essentially been rendered irrelevant since his brief NXT sojourn ended in April 2022.

There is no word on Nemeth's contract with TNA, though it is apparent he's planning to work a good amount of dates outside the company. His first match with TNA is slated for Sunday against Zachary Wentz and is set to air as part of a future episode of Impact.

Don't be surprised if TNA looks to bolt Nemeth up the card quickly to take advantage of his star power.

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