WWE Releases Matt Riddle Amid Talent Cuts And Controversy

Matt Riddle has been released by WWE as his whirlwind career, both in and out of a WWE ring, has come to a merciful end.

“Just wanted to inform everyone that I’m no longer with WWE,” Riddle wrong in a tweet. “Thank you for the memories and opportunities also thank you to all the fans for the support and love you give me every time I go out to the ring. See you all soon.”

Riddle emerged as one of WWE’s biggest stars through a quirky, carefree persona. Despite his comedy gimmick, Riddle had the potential to become a top star in WWE similar to irreverent former world champions in Daniel Bryan and Rob Van Dam. Riddle’s WWE Championship match against Roman Reigns on the June 17, 2022 broadcast of SmackDown drew over 2.5 million viewers for its quarter hour. The number was bigger than the opening quarter-hour featuring Vince McMahon, fresh off his hush money allegations. This rating was also larger than Reigns’ previous TV world title matches against Daniel Bryan and Kevin Owens.

Riddle’s persona made for a great foil for a litany of strange-bedfellow tough guys such as Butch (known as Pete Dunne in NXT
XT
), Timothy Thatcher, Drew McIntyre and most famously Randy Orton as the tag team RK-Bro. The duo were two-time WWE tag team champions. Riddle was most recently paired with McIntyre before disappearing off television due to issues outside of the ring. Though Riddle’s reported illness was deemed a factor for his recent absence, Riddle also found himself embroiled in a controversy at JFK Airport, where the former United States and tag team champion claimed he was sexually assaulted by an officer. Riddle was alleged to be “heavily intoxicated” during the incident. This seemed to be the straw that broke the camel’s back as Riddle was added to the litany of big names released by WWE this week as TKO Group Holdings looks to make hundreds of millions of dollars in cost cuts.

Matt Riddle’s Controversies Outside Of The Ring

Riddle recently announced a pregnancy with partner and adult film star Misha Montana. He is currently estranged with his ex-wife Lisa Riddle, as has been subject to multiple WWE storylines.

“Talk about my family, man, let’s talk about your family Oh wait, you ain’t got one because your wife divorced you and took your kids and they don’t want to see your b—h ass anymore,” said Rollins on the August 29, 2022 broadcast of WWE Raw.

Despite his growing baggage, Riddle figures to be in demand on the independent circuit if he chooses to continue wrestling. Riddle’s background in mixed martial arts will also make him intriguing to MMA promotions, though UFC may be a dead-end since a) UFC merged with WWE as part of TKO Group Holdings and b) Dana White hates Matt Riddle’s guts. Always a sucker for ex-WWE talent, Tony Khan and AEW will also remain a possibility.