Matt Riddle Reflects on Awkward Encounter with AEW Boss Tony Khan Amid Wrestling Uncertainty
Former WWE big name Matt Riddle has by no means shied faraway from the spotlight, each in and out of the ring. Known for his brash personality, frequently provocative demeanor, and controversial antics, Riddle has determined himself on the center of attention over again. The former WWE Superstar, who turned into launched from the company in September 2023 following a tumultuous incident at JFK Airport, is now making headlines for a one of a kind reason—his much less-than-easy encounter with AEW President Tony Khan.
A Tumultuous WWE Exit
Riddle’s exit from WWE become marred through an unfortunate incident at JFK Airport, wherein he allegedly seemed intoxicated and become described through fellow passengers as “loud and rude.” This become far from the first controversy that surrounded him in the course of his WWE tenure. In addition to the conduct at the airport, Riddle claimed he have been sexually confused by using an officer throughout the ordeal.
These activities, coupled along with his every so often volatile personality, made Riddle’s release from WWE nearly inevitable. His departure opened up a sea of opportunities for the star, as many former WWE competencies have determined a new domestic in All Elite Wrestling (AEW), or as a minimum made visitor appearances. However, Riddle has but to follow inside the footsteps of others and officially take the plunge to AEW.
Exploring AEW: A Potential New Home?
In a candid interview with Steven Muelhausen of SI Takedown, Riddle changed into asked at once about his mind on joining AEW, a enterprise that has quick risen to prominence inside the professional wrestling world. Riddle didn’t hold again in his reward for AEW.
“With AEW, I think AEW is a fantastic product,” Riddle stated enthusiastically. “I know a lot of the people that work there. I like the company. I like the way they work. I like the people that work there. I think with me, and it’s one of the things I’ve noticed, I’ve been relieved after getting fired from WWE.”
Riddle’s feedback meditated a sense of freedom and alleviation submit-WWE, as the pressures of being on television two to 3 instances a week had weighed heavily on him. “The stress of working on TV two to three days a week was a lot. I like pressure. I like stress too, but it was a lot,” he admitted.
Although many enthusiasts might assume Riddle to make a direct jump to AEW, he hinted that taking a wreck from television became something he wished for. “I didn’t want to work on TV again. I didn’t want the attention for a while. I wanted to step away. I just wanted to do Indies,” he added.
A Baffling First Meeting with Tony Khan
Despite his high quality comments about AEW, Riddle additionally shed light on his preliminary assembly with Tony Khan, and the result changed into far from smooth. In truth, Riddle appeared uncertain whether or not Khan in reality appreciated him after their stumble upon.
“I talked to Tony [Khan]. I don’t know if he likes me,” Riddle revealed, almost shrugging off the notion. He then recounted an awkward moment during a wrestling event in Chicago, where he faced off against Zach Sabre Jr. “He seemed happy. I wrestled Zach Sabre Jr. in Chicago. He seemed cool about it. I don’t know.”
The confusion escalated when Riddle’s natural sarcasm appeared to cause a miscommunication. “When you meet me, I’m very sarcastic. But when I met him, I was like, ‘Oh, you like that match?’ But I said it a different way, and he looked at me all confused,” Riddle explained. The tension was palpable, and instead of clarifying the situation, Riddle chose to walk away. “I was like, ‘Never mind, dude.’ I just walked away. So that was my experience with that,” he said, laughing off the memory.
Return to WWE on the Horizon?
Interestingly, while the AEW door stays ajar, Riddle didn’t rule out a return to WWE. In reality, he expressed a strong notion that his probabilities of returning to his former business enterprise had been “extraordinarily excessive.”
Riddle referred to CM Punk’s noticeably-publicized return to WWE as proof that some thing is viable within the ever-converting panorama of expert wrestling. Punk’s return taken aback the wrestling world, and Riddle seems to believe that if it is able to appear for Punk, it may virtually occur for him as properly.
Since leaving WWE, Riddle has kept busy within the wrestling international, becoming a mainstay on the independent circuit. He has regarded in suits for Major League Wrestling (MLW) and New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW), maintaining his call applicable within the wrestling network and showcasing his in-ring skills to lovers around the arena.
Whether Matt Riddle’s next chapter takes him to AEW, back to WWE, or somewhere else absolutely, one aspect is apparent—Riddle is a ways from finished, and his journey thru the world of professional wrestling is a long way from over.
