Dolph Ziggler Named Inductee for 2026 Tragos/Thesz Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame

Dolph Ziggler’s career is getting its flowers—this time in a Hall of Fame setting.

The George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame has officially announced that Nic Nemeth, known worldwide as Dolph Ziggler, will be the headline inductee for the Class of 2026. The induction weekend is scheduled for July 9 through July 11 in Waterloo, Iowa, at the Dan Gable Museum.

Nemeth, who is currently signed with TNA Wrestling, carved out one of the longest and most decorated runs of the modern WWE era after first making his name as an elite amateur wrestler. The Hall of Fame announcement highlighted both sides of his journey—from the mat to the main event.

In the official bio released with the announcement, the Hall of Fame detailed his background:

“Nick Nemeth, also known as Dolph Ziggler, is the 2026 Tragos/Thesz Hall of Fame inductee. Nemeth was an accomplished amateur wrestler at St. Edward’s High School, where he set the record for most career pins (82) and led his team to two state championships, and at Kent State University, where he is second place in school history for career victories with 121.”

That amateur foundation carried over into a nearly two-decade WWE run that saw Ziggler become one of the company’s most reliable and versatile performers. The release continued by outlining his WWE accomplishments:

“Nemeth signed with WWE in 2004, and competed for nearly two decades, where he became one of the company’s most decorated stars, capturing the World Heavyweight Championship twice, as well as the Intercontinental Championship, United States Championship, and Tag Team Championship.”

Following his WWE departure in 2023, Nemeth didn’t slow down. Instead, he expanded his in-ring work with TNA Wrestling, New Japan Pro Wrestling, and AAA, while also branching into stand-up comedy and entertainment projects outside wrestling.

The Tragos/Thesz Hall of Fame honors professional wrestlers with strong amateur wrestling roots as well as individuals who have made lasting contributions to the sport. Nemeth’s induction places him among a select group whose careers bridged elite athletic credibility and mainstream professional wrestling success.

More names are expected to be added to the 2026 class in the coming months, but Nemeth’s induction already gives the class a major headliner.

Is Dolph Ziggler one of the most underappreciated stars of his generation—and does this Hall of Fame honor finally cement his legacy? Drop your thoughts in the comments and let us know how you rank his career.