Latest news with #MattRiddle
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Solving the Riddle: Nearly 2 years after WWE release, Matt Riddle is 'having the best time of my life'
In five-plus years with WWE, Matt Riddle became one of the most popular superstars on the roster. Despite having a legitimate combat sports pedigree, his laid-back, surfer/stoner persona came to be what defined him as a professional wrestler, allowing him to reach remarkable heights, particularly during his time in the 'RKBro' tag team with Randy Orton. Yet there was never a moment from 2018-23 where he truly broke through to become a 'top guy.' Now, nearly two years since being released by WWE after a series of failed drug tests and an incident at JFK airport, Riddle has managed to capture that elusive spot at the top of the card with a major wrestling company, ascending to become MLW's World Heavyweight Champion in his return to the promotion. Advertisement 'It's been fun,' Riddle told Uncrowned ahead of his latest title defense this Thursday at MLW's Summer of the Beasts event. 'I know I can run with the ball, but it's nice to actually be passed the ball to be able to fulfill dreams and aspirations I've had my whole life. You give me the ball, I'm going to run with it and not stop. I've been loving this run. I can't speak more highly of MLW because they have had my back before and now after WWE. They've always had a vision.' Riddle is far from the first athlete to enter the world of professional wrestling with a combat sports background. Brock Lesnar, Ronda Rousey, Bobby Lashley and Ken Shamrock are just a handful of the big names who have competed in both pro wrestling and the cage. Yet there's a major difference between them and Riddle, who sports an 8-3 record with two no contests as a professional MMA fighter. Advertisement When they broke into — or returned to — pro wrestling, and during their most successful runs, those aforementioned fighters were presented in a more serious (read: dangerous) light for their on-screen personas. It's a tried and true formula that the best gimmicks in wrestling have more than a smidge of truth to them — they're the star's natural disposition, cranked up to 100. In WWE, Riddle was more comedic relief than killer, which worked particularly well in tag-teams with Orton or Pete Dunne. But MLW unlocking the proper balance for Riddle has been key to his success as a singles performer. 'The big thing, and this happened when I worked with WWE, is they really dumbed my character down,' Riddle said. 'Maybe they did it so I am more relatable to kids or it's what they thought would work with their audience. Even when I was in NXT, I was more of a killer with the UFC background and a top guy while also being entertaining. While they did a good job, I think MLW does the best job because they let me be goofy, [let me have] fun with the Filthy Bros and my opponents, but they also respect me, know my legit background and understand I'm a threat in and out of the ring. With that, I love it because I still get to be a goofball while also being a killer, which is basically what I am in real life.' Matt Riddle's MMA background is being put to good use in the ring. (Photo courtesy of MLW) Naturally, there's a win-win to having Riddle at the top of the MLW card, and it goes beyond his character work or skillset inside the ring. There's the added marketing buzz or social media sizzle that comes with Riddle having worked in WWE for half a decade, raising his profile and, in turn, creating opportunities for himself as he returned to the independent wrestling scene following his release. Advertisement 'The biggest twist or change for me was before, I was just an independent wrestler or a superstar,' Riddle said. 'Once I had the machine behind me with WWE and I came back, the way I'm handled is a lot different and that's because people have seen me on TV and wrestling big shows like WrestleMania. The pay has been way different, that's been a huge change. I used to get paid $50 a match — I don't get paid that any more, so that's good. The hardest thing is trying to keep the schedule full and every place you work may have different intentions with you. I know with MLW, they hold me in high regard.' Considering his elevated name coming from WWE, it would have been easy for MLW to capitalize immediately by putting the championship around Riddle's waist. Instead, promotion founder Court Bauer and MLW waited a year before crowning Riddle. It's a move that ran counter to what Riddle says he's seen more and more on the independent wrestling scene, with fans clamoring for instant gratification in a Netflix generation. 'When you're running a show, you can listen to the fans, give them what they want, but you can't let the fans hold your company hostage and make decisions for you," he said. "Once you start doing that, you start to lose control. I feel like on the independent scene, I've seen that more often than I would like. Unfortunately, those fans aren't the ones buying tickets. Sometimes it's good to make fans wait. I think the bigger wrestling companies, like MLW, do an excellent job of making fans wait. I didn't come in on my very first day and win the world title. It took me a year to win it, and that's even after wrestling for them years prior to WWE. The chase and then the payoff mean something.' Riddle is one of the latest examples of former WWE talent finding sustained success after leaving the wrestling giant. Cody Rhodes and Matt Cardona returned to the independent circuit after departing WWE and rose to immense and unprecedented success, with the former going as far to become a founding member of AEW — WWE's primary competitor — before returning as arguably the biggest draw in the business. Advertisement After Riddle was released in September 2023, the decision to stay active and involved in wrestling was an obvious one. Despite the aforementioned success of Rhodes, Cardona and many others who found new life outside of WWE, Riddle knew his path needed to be different. Matt Riddle recently captured the MLW World Heavyweight Championship for the first time in his career. (Photo courtesy of MLW) 'I really enjoy and love wrestling. I love making people happy. For me, it was a no-brainer to continue,' Riddle said. 'When we talk about asking for peoples' advice, I do and I don't like to. I ask for everybody's input, but a lot like learning techniques in fighting or jiu-jitsu, I like to absorb everything and take bits and pieces of it. I'd recommend that for anybody looking to make it in pro wrestling. No one's journey in pro wrestling is the same. I wouldn't recommend anybody do what I do. It works for me, but it's also the MMA pedigree I bring to the table and my personality and how I carry myself that makes it attractive in some light. When anybody ever asks me for advice, I just say be yourself because nobody is you.' As much as Riddle's authenticity can be an asset, it has gotten him some high-profile heat in the wrestling world. A quick internet search will unearth squabbles with Roman Reigns, Lesnar and Bill Goldberg in the past, all of which have been squashed to varying degrees. Even recently, Riddle made waves in the wrestling world by calling CM Punk, Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens 'hard to work with.' Advertisement 'I will say this, I come from a world of mixed martial arts, I've wrestled in college, I've been in plenty of fights,' Riddle explained. 'My thing is, I am now in the world of sports entertainment, and if I say something that ruffles your feathers or upsets you, you should probably take it with a grain of salt. If I talk trash and it's on the internet or something like that, it's usually because I am just trying to ruffle feathers. There's nothing wrong with that, especially in a world where I'm trying to make people believe things. Maybe they're true, maybe they're not. Maybe it's my real opinion, maybe it's not.' Riddle will make his next MLW World Heavyweight Championship defense on Thursday in New York City, where he'll go up against Japanese wrestling legend KENTA for the first time. It's an exciting proposition for Riddle to put on a Japanese shoot-style match, considering how much emphasis he has put on his MMA background. 'I personally love it. It doesn't get much better than this,' Riddle said. 'I get a chance to defend my championship against him. On multiple levels it's awesome and outstanding. All of the Japanese guys I train with, wrestled with, know what I have done in the past and how legitimate I am. We do professional wrestling, but Japanese style and my style is what I like to call 'sport wrestling.' I think it's going to bring fireworks, we're going to hit each other hard and bring it.' In a never-say-never business like professional wrestling, a WWE return is never something that can truly be ruled out for anyone, including Riddle. Regardless of the outcome of his match against KENTA, this recent run with MLW has shown that Riddle has finally figured out how to unlock his best in the squared circle. 'For me, I don't know if [the goal is] as much trying to make it back as it is getting to be the authentic character that I am and have fun,' Riddle said. 'Right now, I'm probably having the best time of my life, and it's amazing.'
Time of India
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Matt Riddle launches ‘brOnlyFans' with King of Bros energy and a $20 price tag
Matt Riddle launches 'brOnlyFans' with King of Bros energy and a $20 price tag (Image Source: Getty) Matt Riddle, a former WWE wrestler, has launched his own OnlyFans page called 'brOnlyFans.' He shared the news on Twitter with a fun video, saying, "I'm here to tell everyone that the OnlyFans, the brOnlyFans, is finally dropping tonight. Some say it's Father's Day, but I say it's Daddy's Day. So if you wanna see me, and maybe more, subscribe. Link's in the bio, bro." Fans are excited about this new step. Matt Riddle's new brOnlyFans page is live Matt Riddle, known as the "King of Bros," started his OnlyFans account on June 16, 2025. He posted a Twitter video in a fancy Versace robe to share the news. The page costs $20 a month and already has a few posts. Riddle has been talking about joining OnlyFans since 2023. His fans love his fun and open personality, so they're curious about his content. After leaving WWE in 2023, he's free to try new things. Some wonder if this will make him a lot of money, but his charm might bring many fans. He still wrestles with Major League Wrestling, but this page is a new way to reach fans. It's a chance for him to show his unique style and connect with people directly. Also Read: "Fans got him back" - Shotzi Blackheart shares her thoughts about R-Truth's V"VE return A new path after WWE departure Since leaving WWE in 2023, Matt Riddle has been busy with different projects to show who he is. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo He wrestles in Major League Wrestling and even beat a strong wrestler named Jacob Fatu. He also created his cannabis product called Riddle OG and plans to make more. Riddle is dating adult film star Misha Montana, and they're expecting a baby, which might explain his comfort with bold projects. His OnlyFans page fits his habit of sharing playful posts online. Many female wrestlers have done well on OnlyFans, and now Riddle is seeing if male wrestlers can too. He's also set to compete in a big match called Battle Riot VI. Fans wonder if brOnlyFans will be a big part of his career or just a fun side project. Either way, Riddle's confidence keeps him popular. Riddle's brOnlyFans has fans talking, and many like his brave choice. His mix of humour and charm could make this a success. As he wrestles and tries new things, Riddle stays in the spotlight. Whether brOnlyFans makes money or is just for fun, it shows he's not afraid to try new ideas. Fans can join to see what he shares next.
Fox News
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
MLW star Matt Riddle on recent pro wrestling departures: 'When one door shuts, another opens'
Major League Wrestling (MLW) star Matt Riddle offered a sunny realization for pro wrestlers amid recent high-profile departures that took place last week. WWE parted ways with the superstars known as Braun Strowman, Dakota Kai, Shayna Baszler, Kayden Carter, Katana Chance, Cora Jade, Gigi Dolan, Riley Osborne, Eddy Thorpe, Jakara Jackson, Joe Coffey, Mark Coffey, Wolfgang, Oro Mensah and Javier Bernal, according multiple reports. Fightful Select noted that departures were not outright releases but rather the decision not to renew contracts. Riddle was also a WWE release, parting ways with the company in September 2023. He has since performed in New Japan Pro-Wrestling, Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide and has made an indelible mark on MLW by becoming the world heavyweight champion to start the year. He told Fox News Digital that having the opportunity to perform at a high level elsewhere turned out to be a "blessing." "It depends on what you do when you get fired. It's always unfortunate when people lose their jobs, but at the end of the day, for some of us, say for me, for example, it was a blessing," Riddle said. "Sometimes, you just need the right push. Sometimes you need somebody to shut a door on you so another can open. And that's not to say that everyone that's been released, and that's not just pro wrestling, that's any profession. "Trust me, it might seem like it's over, or it sucks, but when one door shuts, another opens. Even when I got fired from UFC back in the day, to then come where I did in professional wrestling, and even to now where I'm at today. I got fired over a year or so ago, but I've held eight different championships, and I was able to recapture the one championship I was never able to win, and that was the MLW Heavyweight Championship. "Sometimes getting fired is a blessing in disguise." Riddle returned to MLW at Kings of Colosseum in 2024 and won Battle Riot VI that year. In January at Kings of Colosseum, he defeated Satoshi Kojima for the World Heavyweight Championship. He then successfully defended it in a triple-threat match against Kojima and Alex Kane and then against 39 other men in Battle Riot VII. On Saturday, he'll face Donovan Dijak in a title defense at Azteca Lucha in Chicago. The event takes place at Cicero Stadium and can be seen on YouTube at 10 p.m. ET. Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Fox News
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Banged up Matt Riddle ready to defend MLW world title against Donovan Dijak at Azteca Lucha
Matt Riddle will walk into Major League Wrestling's (MLW) Azteca Lucha pay-per-view Saturday night banged up when he takes on Donovan Dijak for the world title. Riddle has held the MLW world heavyweight championship belt for nearly four months after he defeated Satoshi Kojima at Kings of Colosseum. Since then, he's defeated Kojima and Alex Kane at SuperFight 6 and won the Battle Riot match last month to hold onto the title. Dijak may be Riddle's toughest challenge yet. He's yet to be pinned or submitted since he made his MLW debut last year. He lost to Riddle at MLW's One Shot in December via disqualification. He made quick friends with manager Saint Laurent and found a new ally in Bishop Dyer when he made his debut at Battle Riot last month. Riddle told Fox News Digital he's aware of the challenges he faces, but it's part of the burden of being the top guy in the company. "At the end of the day, it's kind of like motivation. Sometimes, when you're just one-on-one with somebody, you kind of drop your guard," Riddle said. "Unfortunately for me, it's never a one-on-one situation, even when it's supposed to be. It's just another day for the bro. It's just another day for the MLW heavyweight champion of the world. "I think I'm ready. After winning the Battle Riot and having 39 other competitors, including (Rob Van Dam) there and still walking away … MLW world heavyweight champion, I'm confident, but not too confident, that I know what I have to do to get the job done." Riddle will enter the match with some busted ribs he sustained in a steel chair assault from Dijak. Riddle still vowed to defend the title. "The ribs are a little banged up," Riddle said. "But that's bound to happen in this line of work. I think the important part is that Dijak is the one responsible for injuring my ribs. He'll probably be trying to target them in this world title match in Chicago. "I'm looking out for that, but, at the same time, I've been doing some sit-ups. I've been trying to keep the abs tight." Austin Aries is expected to be on the call for the event. He returned to MLW on the mic at Battle Riot. He shared his thoughts on the match with Fox News Digital. "I know as good as anybody to win the championship is difficult, but to keep the championship is even more difficult because now you're a marked man, everyone's coming for you, everyone's gunning for you," Aries said. "And, on top of that, you're being asked to do media, you're getting asked to be the face of the company. It's a heavy burden to carry, and Riddle's been carrying for a while. "If there's anyone that's going to take the championship off of them and if at any point it's gonna happen, Chicago coming up here on May 10 very well could be that day." Azteca Lucha is set for Saturday at Cicero Stadium in Chicago. The event can be seen on YouTube. Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
