In a candid interview on “The MMA Hour with Ariel Heilwani,” former WWE superstar Matt Riddle disclosed the reasons behind his release from the company in September 2023.
Matt Riddle confessed to engaging in cocaine use during visits to strip clubs, leading to failed drug tests.
“I went to the strip club and did cocaine a couple times. I failed a drug test for that. That was for all of them, it was cocaine each time. It was just a random night. WWE tests you randomly, any week. Sometimes, you get tested at the end of one month and the beginning of another month,” said Riddle.
After consecutive weeks of testing positive, he requested WWE to test him for the next 10 weeks to prove himself clean. And, Riddle indeed passed all of them.
However, a lapse occurred when, thinking he was in the clear, he partied and failed a random test at his house in December 2022. Subsequently, WWE insisted on him completing 30 days of rehab, which he agreed to, causing him to miss the 2022 holidays. When the company proposed an additional 30 consecutive days of rehab, Riddle resisted.
Following his rehab stint, Riddle waited for WWE’s plans for him but was informed that they had nothing for him a month before WrestleMania.
Amid his uncertainty in WWE, in September 2023, Matt Riddle found himself embroiled in an incident at JFK airport, where he accused a Port Authority officer of sexual assault. Despite not pressing charges after consulting with the FBI and internal affairs, video footage showed Riddle intoxicated during a flight delay, joking about the situation over the airport’s public address system.
Reflecting on his departure, Riddle acknowledged that various factors, including the airport incident, failed drug tests, and WWE’s merger with the UFC after being acquired by Endeavor, contributed to his release. He believed that despite his in-ring skills, he was not the right fit for WWE at that time.
Matt Riddle also said that he holds no hard feelings towards the company and expressed gratitude for the time they gave him. Riddle had been signed with WWE since 2018, achieving success with titles like the United States Championship and Raw Tag Team Championship.
FYI, Matt Riddle announced his WWE on X.
In his post, he wrote:
“Just wanted to inform everyone that I’m no longer with WWE. 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.”
Just wanted to inform everyone that I’m no longer with WWE. 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 🤙 pic.twitter.com/fpuQkIJAFx
— matthew riddle (@SuperKingofBros) September 22, 2023
What is Matt Riddle Doing After WWE Release?
In December 2023, it was revealed that Matt Riddle would debut in Major League Wrestling (MLW) at Kings of Colosseum on January 6, 2024, facing Jacob Fatu and securing a victory.
Following this, Riddle made his entrance into New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) in a pre-taped vignette during New Year Dash!!, challenging NJPW World Television Champion Hiroshi Tanahashi. His NJPW in-ring debut was set for Battle in the Valley, where he teamed up with a mystery partner, later revealed to be his former Chosen Bros partner Jeff Cobb, defeating Zack Sabre Jr. and Bad Dude Tito of TMDK.
Riddle went on to face Tanahashi for the NJPW World Television Championship at The New Beginning in Sapporo on February 23 and clinched the championship.
