WWE Cuts Ties with Wrestler Originally From Upstate New York
World Wrestling Entertainment has seen a flurry of activity since the recent merger with UFC was made official, under its new name, TKO Group. Some of that activity included layoffs of several talent and front office staff.
One of the biggest names to be released was Matt Riddle, who performed for the company for years as simply "Riddle." Riddle spent his formative teenage years in Upstate New York, becoming a state wrestling champion for Saratoga Springs High School. During his time there, he achieved noteworthy victories by defeating the future UFC champion Jon Jones in high school wrestling not once, but twice.
Regarding his release, Riddle said in an official statement:
Just wanted to inform everyone that I’m no longer with WWE. Thank you for the memories and opportunities also thank you to all the fans for the support and love you give me every time I go out to the ring. See you all soon.
After competing several years in MMA, Riddle signed a wrestling contract with WWE in 2018 and performed on its NXT brand until being called up to the main roster in 2020.
Riddle enjoyed some success in the WWE, winning the United States Championship and Raw Tag Team Championship, but his tenure was also lowlighted by several backstage behavioral issues.
In early September Riddle was involved in a bizarre incident at JFK airport in New York City. In a since-deleted social media post, Riddle alleged that a law enforcement officer had sexually assaulted him. Subsequently, reports emerged stating that the performer displayed signs of being "highly inebriated" and exhibited "disruptive behavior" during a flight transfer.