Former WWE superstar Matt Riddle opened up about his struggles with drug use during his time with the company, admitting to failing multiple drug tests for cocaine before his departure.
Riddle discussed his experiences on “The MMA Hour" with Ariel Helwani, shedding light on the circumstances that led to his release from WWE.
Matt Riddle talks failing drug tests and going to rehab.#TheMMAHour pic.twitter.com/79xq8FALD2
— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) February 28, 2024
While promoting Major League Wrestling Intimidation Games, Riddle revealed that he had smoked weed, which was permissible but had also engaged in cocaine use during his tenure with the company.
“I went to the strip club and did some cocaine a couple of times. That was the first one. Well, that was for all of them. It was cocaine each time," Riddle confessed during the interview.
The former WWE star explained that the company conducts random drug tests on its talent, and there was an instance where he failed back-to-back tests.
“Sometimes you get tested at the end of one month and the beginning of another month. So there was one week where I failed bang, bang, didn"t know I failed the second one. By the time I found out I failed the first one, I got two right at one," he elaborated.
In response to the failed tests, Riddle suggested to the company that he could undergo continuous weekly testing, which he claims to have passed. However, he admitted to “partying a little bit" and subsequently failing a drug test, leading to WWE insisting on his enrollment in a rehabilitation program.
Following a 30-day drug program, Riddle revealed that the company requested another month-long program, which he resisted. Although he did not specify when this occurred during his time with WWE, Riddle parted ways with the company in September.
During his five-year stint, he achieved success as an NXT Tag Team Champion, a United States Champion, and a two-time Raw Tag Team Champion alongside Randy Orton as part of the popular “RK-Bro" tag team.
Since leaving WWE, Riddle has ventured into Major League Wrestling and New Japan Pro-Wrestling, where he currently holds the NJPW World Television Championship.
Despite the circumstances of his departure, Riddle expressed that he believes getting fired by WWE happened at the right time, citing the demanding schedule and the recent addition of a new child to his family. While not ruling out a return to WWE, Riddle emphasized that there is currently no discussion about it.
