In a recent interview, Matt Riddle opened up about his intense program with Seth Rollins during their time in WWE before Riddle’s release in September last year. The King of Bros delved into the deeply personal nature of their feud, culminating in a Fight Pit match at Extreme Rules.
The standout aspect of their rivalry was the inclusion of real-life elements, with Seth Rollins openly acknowledging Matt Riddle’s tumultuous personal life.
One of the pivotal moments occurred in a sit-down interview where Rollins called out Riddle for being a perceived “horrible father” who had allegedly deserted his family.
Surprisingly, the idea to incorporate this personal detail into the promo originated from Matt Riddle himself. Despite initial hesitations from Rollins and Triple H, Riddle believed that adding such a controversial line would intensify the heat in their feud:
“I go, ‘You know what you could say? Why don’t you call me a deadbeat dad loser who abandoned his family? He was like, ‘Bro, are you sure?’ Triple H was like, ‘Are you sure?’ I’m like, yeah! I know that if you didn’t suggest that and you said that, I’d kill you. So, plus, it’s further from the truth, but the perception, you say that, it infuriates me, I’m going to hurt you.” [From 40:07 to 40:33]
Riddle emphasized the importance of blurring the lines between reality and kayfabe to enhance the fans’ investment in their storyline.
While taking shots at Becky Lynch could have been an option, Riddle believed that involving Rollins’ ex-wife in the promo battle would elevate their feud to new heights, successfully achieving their intended purpose.
Post his WWE release, Matt Riddle is embracing life outside the company, currently holding a championship and working towards rebuilding his reputation.
Despite the challenges, he remains hopeful for a potential return to WWE, eager to continue and complete his story within the organization. The question lingers: Would fans like to see Riddle get another opportunity in WWE in the future?
