More details about WWE’s frustration with Matt Riddle have continued to come to light.
Despite his skills in the ring and previous popularity with the audience, Riddle announced he’d left WWE on September 22nd. After a hiatus — reported to be due to a second failed drug test — the star had returned to action after WrestleMania 39 but found himself stuck firmly in the mid-card.
Following his release, there were reports that those backstage had become frustrated by the repeated negative stories around the star, effectively deciding he was more trouble than he was worth.
Riddle’s most recent controversy saw him accuse an officer at JFK airport of sexual assault on social media before deleting the post. Following the incident, Riddle was removed from the September 11th episode of Raw and hasn’t wrestled since.
Reporting in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer noted that Riddle previously had heat for ignoring a script laid out for one of his promos. Although the promo put Orton over and was praised for being based in reality, it wasn’t what had been scripted for him.
“Riddle also had heat with management at one point right after that for going off the script and putting over Orton on a live television interview when talking about how much pain Orton was in during the latter stages of their team and before the injury angle was shot. While praised for the promo going behind the scenes and being real, it was not what was scripted for him.
His role after that point was being a popular babyface who had good matches, played his naive stoner gimmick, but was mostly there to put over the pushed heels such as a program where he continually lost to Gunther.”
Matt Riddle Ran Out Of Chances In WWE
Following his release, it was reported that one WWE higher-up said Matt Riddle has simply burned through too many chances with the company. In the wake of the incident at JFK airport, Riddle stopped being factored into creative, but he reportedly remained in good spirits ahead of being let go.
Following his release, “a number of companies” in both MMA and pro-wrestling have shown an interest in securing Matt Riddle’s services.
Meanwhile following his release, allegations of sexual misconduct made against Matt Riddle have also resurfaced. It should be noted that Riddle has denied these claims.