Going out there, Nemeth had no clue how he would be received considering he was a heel. Despite that, the crowd’s reaction was immense. Though Ziggler and Del Rio would go on to have an actual match, the initial plan was much different.

Advertisement

“That afternoon, they said, ‘Here’s what’s gonna happen,'” Nemeth continued. “Del Rio’s gonna be hurt. Your music’s gonna hit. You’re gonna hit him with the briefcase five or six times in the ankle and you’re gonna pin him.’ That would’ve been so heartbreaking. That would’ve been so anti-climactic.”

Instead of that, Nemeth pushed for a match with more emotional “ups and downs.” He credits producer Jamie Noble as well as Del Rio for helping put the match together. To this day, Nemeth feels very proud of the performance that night.

“The reason everyone cheered so much is because they’re the reason I was there in the first place,” Nemeth said. “That was a very special thing that I wasn’t prepared for. It hit me like 500 bee stings as I walked out on that ramp. And I go, ‘Oh man, when they see the rest of this, they’re gonna lose their minds.’ And they did. And I will never be prouder of something.”

Advertisement

If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit “Busted Open Radio” with a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.