Seemingly not all that way back, the sky was the restrict when talking to Matt Riddle’s profession path within the WWE. His tag-team partnership with Randy Orton, RK-Bro, was tremendous fashionable, and even when Orton left the corporate on account of a again harm, Riddle stayed within the highlight for a high-profile feud with Seth Rollins. His state of affairs has seemingly modified since his return from rehab, nevertheless, as arguably evidenced by a latest loss, and amid latest chatter concerning his standing within the firm, the famous person jumped on-line to speak about…his previous stomping grounds, the UFC.
Many had been speaking after Matt Riddle took a clear loss to Imperium henchman Ludwig Kaiser, who stands within the shadow of Intercontinental Champion Gunther alongside stablemate Giovanni Vinci. Kaiser securing a win over Riddle with none dishonest or heel ways felt like a stunning flip of occasions, given the distinction in star energy between them. Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Radio is aware of a bit concerning the inside workings of the WWE and had the next to say about Riddle and the way he felt he is seen within the firm with a loss like that (by way of Cultaholic):
I’m wondering what occurred. You recognize, Kaiser’s not the man you’ll count on to beat Riddle clear. So I do not know if you recognize, I imply, clearly, you recognize, they’ve already, they’ve determined lengthy, way back that Riddle for no matter cause. And there, you recognize, look, listed below are good causes. Riddle appears to get into hassle too usually. So he isn’t the man that they are gonna construct round or something like that, however they’ve nonetheless saved him, you recognize, stronger than shedding clear within the center to Kaiser. However he did right here. So, you recognize, as quickly as I noticed that, it is like, ‘Man, he is decrease than I believed he was of their minds.’
It’s stunning to see Matt Riddle lose in that method to a minor heel, although a satan’s advocate take can be that this was extra about elevating the character of Ludwig Kaiser. Even so, there isn’t any denying the notion of others that Matt Riddle shouldn’t be valued as extremely as he was earlier than his latest absence, and it may take a while to rebuild that repute throughout the WWE.
Assuming, after all, that Matt Riddle sees himself remaining a WWE expertise within the long-term. The famous person has shared some imprecise posts on X the previous couple of days which have referenced his time within the UFC. The day following his loss, Riddle shared the following post accompanied with a video of a match on The Final Fighter the place he knocked out Dan Simmler within the opening seconds of their battle. Maybe referencing his latest loss, Riddle mentioned the next:
Rattling, it’s simpler to win actual fights within the @ufc than win a match in WWE #brutal #bro #stallion #ufc #WWE
Matt Riddle posted again about his time within the UFC on the next day, however this time it was only a image of him contained in the octagon. Alongside that image, he wrote the next:
Till you respect your self others gained’t respect you and that goes for all features of life, know your worth!!! #bro #stallion #rudedude #abs #ufc #WWE
Matt Riddle hasn’t competed within the UFC since 2013, at which level his contract was severed after a second failed drug take a look at, for which he examined optimistic for marijuana. May these posts imply he is eyeing a comeback within the skilled preventing group and stepping away from upcoming WWE occasions?
It is laborious to say, although value noting there’s a lengthy historical past of former UFC wrestlers going to the WWE and vice versa. Brock Lesnar, Ronda Rousey, and Shayna Baszler be a part of Riddle as present superstars who wrestled within the UFC beforehand. One would additionally think about making the transition is less complicated now that each UFC and the WWE are underneath the identical possession umbrella, Endeavor. That is purely speculative, although, and we positively could not say for sure who Dana White can be keen to provide one other shot within the UFC to, so far as WWE stars go.
Finally we do not know what Matt Riddle is pondering, nor what the WWE’s long-term plan is for him. There have been many rumors that his tag-team associate Randy Orton is returning, and he would possibly even present up at SummerSlam. If he does, I can see RK-Bro rise once more, and probably, Riddle’s star will skyrocket together with it. Then all this speak of the UFC could also be a distant reminiscence. Or perhaps not, and Riddle might be attempting to get again to throwing fists and spinning heel kicks versus clotheslines.
WWE SummerSlam will kick off on Peacock on Saturday, August fifth. CinemaBlend’s Mack Rawden has his picks locked in for the premium reside occasion and has an important observe report for guessing matches accurately. Take a look at his opinion, and tune in to see the way it all shakes out.
