In a move that may only be shocking because of when it happened, Matt Riddle released by WWE is now a thing.
The move was revealed effectively during the September 22nd SmackDown.
I note that the timing was shocking for one major reason.
WWE released a lot of Superstars and NXT talent on Thursday.
But, the now departed Riddle was not on that list.
Fans could discuss…and have discussed…that some other notable names survived Thursday’s pink slip party.
But, after the news came out late Friday, it seems that either WWE is not yet completely done…or perhaps the Original Bro was so out of it things only clicked a day after the others.
Matt Riddle Released By WWE
If you asked me to summarize Riddle’s tenure with the company coming to an end, it would probably go something like this…
Not surprised…just disappointed.
My lack of surprise is simply because, of all the Superstars on the roster at any point during 2023…Riddle was probably the one with the most baggage.
He’s made news a lot the past couple years, and most of the recent stuff makes his call out of Brock Lesnar look downright tame.
Disappointed because honestly, he had some good runs, some fun runs, and if things could have continued to click, there’s no reason we couldn’t have seen him take on-and beat-The Beast Incarnate.
Still, in the grand scheme of things, perhaps Riddle had some powerful friends who protected him, but they didn’t this time.
From all of the me too fallout, the lurid accusations and beyond…if anything I am mostly surprised they had not canned him sooner.
And with the merger now complete, you have to wonder if his former UFC peers had any sway on whether he would stick around.
Of all the talent released this week by WWE, Riddle arguably could have one of the brighter futures, possibly.
