Dolph Ziggler On If He’s Leaving WWE: “I Can’t Really Answer That”

Dolph Ziggler is officially on hiatus from WWE.

“Technically, I am still under contract, yes, but I am not scheduled to be at the Royal Rumble tomorrow,” Ziggler told entertainment report Chris Van Vliet on Saturday from his home in Phoenix, Arizona.

When asked when he’s not under contract to WWE anymore, Ziggler said, “I’m not so sure. But as of right now I still am. As of now, my booking tomorrow will be at Stand Up Live afterward.”

After talking about outside projects he’s working under his birth name, Van Vliet asks Ziggler if this means he’s leaving WWE.

”I can’t really answer that. I don’t want to make some, like, fake thing or some sly thing. For now, I’m on a hiatus with WWE. It took me like 10 years to get a weekend off and this is it. We’ll see where it goes. It’s very interesting. There’s a handshake, a different thing than what’s on paper. I’ve given everything and we’ll see. If there’s more for me to give, I’ll be happy to be a part of it,” Ziggler said.

Ziggler denied rumors that’s he looking to transition into a backstage role. He says something like that may be a possibility another 10 years down the line — essentially saying he’s not done in the ring yet.

”If WWE wanted to keep me around, it would be to be in the ring, for now. Producing I could see happening 10 years down the line but I don’t know why I wouldn’t be doing some other stuff first,” Ziggler said.

“Doing that full time, and being in the best shape of my life, I wouldn’t be able to do it, I don’t think. … One day down the line that could be something but I am very much not interested in that.”

Ziggler also gave his thoughts on All Elite Wrestling.

“That is fantastic news. Everybody seems like fans at heart that are coming up with everything going into that company. I don’t know too much about it but everything so far shows that they are trying to give another option for fans who love wrestling, people who want something new,” Ziggler said.

“Even if you somehow didn’t like them, or didn’t like the idea, or are pro WWE, the fact that this is happening and may create a little back and forth, or some people to step up their game, or some people to have a second place to go when it’s not the end all, be all, that is so much good for competition and business and all the Superstars together already that if that becomes successful, and they’re going back and forth, then it’s good for everybody, the fans, and the wrestlers. I’m saying it in a regular way but this is an awesome thing to happen, and it can only go up and be more positive from here.”

As for the possibility of Ziggler leaving WWE for AEW, he’s not against the idea.

“I wouldn’t say I’d be like a next big signing, I would be the big signing, I would have to say. But I have some other things going on at the moment but that should always be an option for anybody, especially someone who, maybe, someone like me who has been around a long time,” Ziggler said.

“It’s like if Drew McIntyre says I was riding his coattails, maybe I gotta get the hell outta here, you know? So, you never know. I think it would be great. I think it would be a great addition to that company, which seems to be for true wrestlers who love the sport and the business. It’s a great idea.”