Matt Riddle talks about NXT TakeOver: Toronto, EVOLVE, retiring Brock Lesnar and more

Before NXT TakeOver: Toronto, FanSided had a chance to talk with WWE NXT Superstar, The Original King of Bros, Matt Riddle.

Matt Riddle has been a rising Superstar in the making ever since signing with the WWE to join NXT. The Original Bro has taken NXT by storm. With the new television deal with FOX, it has been rumored that NXT could potentially be moving to Fox Sports 1 on Wednesday nights.

“I think the more exposure NXT can get, the better,” Riddle said. “I think both NXT and Raw are both talent-based. I think it’s gonna be good overall. It’s another viewing aspect of professional wrestling and sports entertainment. I think it’s gonna excel. With more eyes and more views, it’s gonna get bigger and better and brighter.”

Riddle is now embroiled in a feud with Killain Dain, which could take its next steps on Saturday night in Toronto. He talked about what he is looking forward to this Saturday.

“Well, I love Toronto, it’s a good town, good food, good people,” Riddle said. “The fans are probably gonna be rabid because TakeOver’s really up in Canada all the time and Canadian fans are really good. Probably the crowd and the action is what I’m looking forward to the most. And seeing what
unfolds.”

Recently, Riddle wrestled at EVOLVE’s 10th Anniversary against Drew Gulak, which also aired on the WWE Network. It was one of the best matches of the night, and Riddle came away with the victory over Gulak with his BroDerek finisher. After the match, Gulak got a microphone, and said he respects Riddle, and that he is “one hell of a competitor.”

Riddle shared his thoughts on what it was like to wrestle him.

“I love Drew, I love EVOLVE, I’ve been working there for years up until I got signed with the WWE,” Riddle said. “And it was awesome. I mean, Drew took me under his wing when I first started pro wrestling and kinda helped me fill in the gaps of being more myself rather than trying to be a pro wrestler.”

EVOLVE is also about showcasing some the best up and coming pro wrestlers in the world that the sport has to offer. There are a couple in mind Riddle believes are the future in EVOLVE.

“I would have to say Curt Stallion is up there, then Josh Briggs,” Riddle said. “Austin Theory is pretty good. You got JD Drake and you got Anthony Henry as well. They’re pretty legit. I mean, there’s a lot of guys.”

Many of pro wrestlers try to use different styles in their matches. Recently, Riddle had a match with Arturo Ruas, where he used more MMA-style maneuvers than straight pro wrestling. He discussed whether or not he will continue to do more matches to frame MMA in a pro wrestling context.

“Yeah, you know I personally like the real-deal and the pro wrestling mix, but at the same time, I also like running the bigger choreographed crazy moves and stunts,” Riddle said. “I like the realism, but I also like the element of doing it all as well.”

Riddle has talked about wanting to retire Universal Champion Brock Lesnar for a while now. The plan remains the same: Retire Lesnar.

“I mean, the goal’s the same, it’s never gonna change,” Riddle said. “I mean, it just makes me want to do it even more. It’d be nice if I could get my hands on him sooner or later but right now, that’s not what’s happening. I’d say it’s probably gonna happen eventually. I’m not gonna stop trying. I think with my work rate and everything else I’ve got going for me, it’ll probably work out. Who knows?”

In a Twitter post, Riddle says he will be at TakeOver and SummerSlam this weekend:

Riddle also made a comment on Twitter a while back about ruining Lesnar’s plans to cash in his Money in the Bank contract. He talks about why that never happened in the first place.

“They flew me home,” Riddle said. “I did the TakeOver in Connecticut. I came in the night before, and he was already the champ. I would have done it, and it would have been great, but he also didn’t cash in either.”

Paul Heyman has been named Executive Director of Monday Night Raw, while Eric Bischoff  has been brought on to work with SmackDown Live. Riddle discusses what he thinks about both of them, at least Heyman, in an Executive Director role.

“I think it’s great. I think Paul Heyman’s got a mind for things,” Riddle said. “I think he may have been ahead of his time and I think Eric Bischoff’s been there, done that at a high level. I think he brings a lot of experience and more flair. It adds another element to the pot.”

Riddle also talked about the possibility of getting the opportunity at a shot for the gold.

“I would imagine i’d get an opportunity sooner rather than later,” Riddle said. “Either I get [Adam] Cole, [Johnny] Gargano or maybe even whoever wins the North American match, I think there’s gonna be gold in my future very soon.”

Riddle discussed the wrestlers he idolized when he was growing up.

“I liked the guys that worked a little harder and made it more believable,” Riddle said. “Kurt Angle, [John] Bradshaw [Layfield], Benoit, RVD … I like more athletic wrestlers like [Eddie] Guerrero. I could keep going on.”

A lot of wrestlers always talk about who they would love to wrestle in the past. Riddle discussed this as well, and the dream match he wishes he could have.

“That’s a tough one. I don’t know,” Riddle said. “I’d probably have to say vintage/retro Angle in his prime. That would probably be the dream though. Not that I wouldn’t want to wrestle him now. I think that would probably be my dream match. Shawn Michaels is really good too. I don’t know. It would depend on what era I wanted to wrestle in.”

NXT TakeOver: Toronto takes place on Saturday, August 10 at 7:00 p.m. Eastern on the WWE Network. Follow Matt Riddle on Twitter @SuperKingofBros.