Matt Riddle thinks WWE fans aren’t ready for him yet
By Jack Crosby
Matt Riddle addressed why he’s not with WWE at the moment and it might make sense to some.
WWE, especially Triple H with NXT, is constantly signing some of the best independent talent from around the world over the course of the past few years. Still, there is one name out there dominating on the indie scene who has people very confused as to why he doesn’t have a job in the WWE world as of yet, former UFC fighter Matt Riddle.
Riddle, to some, is considered one of the best wrestlers walking the planet now, and given how quickly he has picked up the business since being fired from the UFC, that’s quite the impressive feat. This being the case, people have drawn comparisons to Kurt Angle and how quickly he was able to make the transition to pro wrestling, which is one of the highest compliments you can receive.
But the fact remains, Riddle is not currently under a WWE contract, as he continues to go from promotion to promotion around the world wowing audiences in the process. Why is this? Well, in a recent interview with Total Wrestling Magazine (h/t WrestleZone for the transcription), Riddle addressed why he hasn’t given up the indie life just yet and headed to Orlando, Florida full time.
“There was a period where every guy I wrestled, from Tommy End to TJ Perkins, I worked them and then they went to the WWE.” Riddle said. “It just seemed like a couple of us didn’t and I’m like honestly fine with me, bro.
“This is a big misconception. I love the WWE, it’s great – it’s what I grew up watching, it’s a great product- I love the WWE. Do I think the WWE fans are ready for someone like me? No. I don’t think they’re ready for Matt Riddle, not right now. I think in a year, the way things are going, they’ll be ready for me. Maybe they’re ready for me now? I just don’t think it’s the time. I’m loving what I’m doing, I’m very content, I don’t have a rough schedule, it’s super easy. I tend to overbook myself because I refuse to hire an agent.”
Interesting insight there from Riddle, and he does bring up a concern that some have had when talking about the “King of Bros” performing in front of the WWE audience. While his gimmick — which really isn’t a gimmick at all, that’s just him — is over with the die-hard adult crowds on these independent shows, there’s no telling what could happen when he gets in front of the family-oriented WWE main roster crowd. He’ll be fine in NXT, sure, but this is also one of those performers who doesn’t need NXT, really. Riddle deserves the biggest stage possible to work, and while his in-ring work will translate tremendously, it’s the fans taking to him that raises some eyebrows.
Next: 30 pro wrestling must-follows on Twitter
With the charisma Riddle has, though, when he does decide to make the jump and conquer the WWE world, he’ll figure it all out to make it work and potentially turn himself into one of the company’s biggest and brightest stars … BRO!