Persistent Issues Keep the MMA Crossover Star from Reaching WWE’s Pinnacle
Despite his impressive credentials as a former MMA fighter and indie wrestling sensation, Matt Riddle’s journey in WWE could have been a smoother ascent many anticipated. Initially pegged as a potential top-tier talent, Riddle’s recent clean loss to Ludwig Kaiser on this week’s RAW episode suggests a trajectory shift.
Sources report that Riddle’s stalled momentum in WWE isn’t linked to his personal life but to the constant drama that seems to follow him. A recent example was the leak of a NSFW video, just one incident in a series of controversies.
Renowned wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer discussed Riddle’s situation on Wrestling Observer Radio, noting that Riddle’s defeat to Ludwig Kaiser was a telling sign. Meltzer suggested that WWE has decided not to build any major storylines around Riddle due to his propensity for attracting controversy.
“WWE they’ve made the decision that they’re not pushing him, and there are good reasons. Riddle seems to get in trouble too often, so he’s not the guy they’re gonna build around or anything like that. They still kept him from losing clean to Kaiser, and then when he did, I was like, ‘wow he’s lower than I thought he was,'” Meltzer said.
Despite the controversies, Riddle remains a popular figure among many WWE fans. However, it seems unlikely that WWE will give him a significant push in the near future.
Riddle’s losing streak continued on RAW this week, and he was notably absent from the SummerSlam match announcements, including the Slim Jim Battle Royal. Fans and pundits alike will be watching closely to see what the future holds for him.
