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Matt Riddle opens up on how he has grown since his WWE release.
Matt Riddle’s turbulent run in WWE ended when the company released him in September 2023. Since then, he has discussed how he failed drug tests and went to rehab during his time in the company. Riddle has landed in MLW, and he has also been working in NJPW. There, he has captured the NJPW World Television Championship. He will defend the title at MLW War Chamber.
Speaking with Scott Fishman of TV Insider, Matt Riddle was asked to describe how he has grown as a person.
“I think I’m at a stage of my life where I want to get control of it. I want to be in control of it. That’s why when WWE let me go it was the best move for everyone at the time. WWE merged with UFC under TKO, not that it played a huge part but was probably the cherry on top. I do think at the end of the day the schedule was getting to me. I didn’t want to believe that.
“Having another kid is extremely stressful. I just bought a house. I’ve been taking care of a lot of things. When I was working for WWE, I never had a vacation. I never had one vacation day. The only time I took off was those two or three months when they sent me away to clean up. That was also on me.”
Matt Riddle: I Was Dealing With A Divorce, There Were A Lot Of Variables
Fishman noted that Matt Riddle was dealing with a lot, and he described how he went through a divorce and other things while working. he also highlighted bonding with Randy Orton during this difficult time.
“I was dealing with a divorce and other things while working as much as I did,” Matt Riddle said. “Not being able to see my three kids that I have with my ex-wife. There were a lot of variables that played a part. On top of that, Randy [Orton] was my best friend when we wrestled together and traveled together. He was helping me get through a lot of these things. We talked about him going through a divorce and things like that.
“When he got hurt, I felt on my own. I still had people in the locker room, but not with the same amount of life experience as Randy. He really opened up to me on a lot of things. Things happen for a reason. I think I had a great run with WWE. I got to team with Randy. RK-Bro was pretty sick. I got a great match with Roman [Reigns], been in Royal Rumble, WrestleMania, and Survivor Series. You name it.”
WrestleZone recently interviewed Timothy Thatcher, who will face Matt Riddle at the MLW War Chamber television tapings. The full video can be seen here:
WrestleZone will have coverage of MLW War Chamber as it airs on March 29.
