Former WWE developmental talent Josh Bredl, known as Bronson Matthews during his stint, recently offered a candid look back at a social media controversy that landed him in hot water with top stars like Cody Rhodes and Kevin Owens.
While some might see it as a career misstep, Bredl sheds light on how the incident, albeit unintentional, could have served as an unexpected springboard.
In 2016, fresh off winning the 2015 “Tough Enough” reality show, Bredl ignited a firestorm by referring to the then-active WWE faction “The Social Outcasts” as “The Social Jobbers” on social media.
The term “jobber” in wrestling carries a negative connotation, signifying performers who consistently lose to bolster others’ victories. While he claims it was part of his character development, the remark drew ire from several established names, including Rhodes and Owens.
Bredl recounts in a recent interview,
“It trended, went viral. Kevin Owens, all these weirdos that literally are [superstars]. Even Kevin Owens, a superstar but mid. I don’t know, some people might like him but he’s not on like the Michael Jordan poster. He’s like a guy in the mud, like the average blue collar guy […] He’s pd. Stardust is pd. The ‘I got kids’ guy [Heath Slater] is p****d.”
This unfiltered commentary not only offended some but also led to him being banned from NXT locker rooms.
However, Bredl offers a unique perspective. He believes the online spat, despite the negativity, might have inadvertently helped him gain attention.
He points out that while Rhodes and Owens’ responses aimed to discredit him, the public engagement they generated unintentionally put a spotlight on him.
“They’re all p****d and they’re like tweeting about it,” he said, “They’re putting me over, but they don’t wanna put me over. They’re trying to bury me, but in reality they’re putting me over because this Tough Enough guy put this weird tweet out that could have got like blown away in the dust. They all retweeted, weigh in on it. It puts me over, but they don’t use that over momentum to squash me [on television] or something.”
Whether intentional or not, the controversy surrounding Bredl’s comments served as a memorable, if unorthodox, chapter in his wrestling journey. It highlights the delicate balance between building character and respecting colleagues, showcasing the complexities of navigating the wrestling world. While his time in WWE concluded after two years, Bredl’s experience offers a cautionary tale, but also an interesting perspective on the unexpected consequences of online actions in the wrestling landscape.
