Matt Riddle discusses talks with TNA/AEW

[Chris]

EXCLUSIVE: Matt Riddle Explains Talks With AEW And TNA; Awkward Conversation With Tony Khan

When Matt Riddle got released by WWE, instantly the question became who would he end up with: AEW or TNA? To the shock of fans, Riddle chose a different route

www.si.com

On why he hasn't appeared in TNA yet:

"I got an easy answer," Riddle explains to The Takedown. "So you've heard me say I got a lot of kids, right? When I got released, I started getting bookings. If you pay my rate, I don't care if you're a hole in the wall in the middle of nowhere. You pay my rate (and) you talk to me like a human, and I'll accept your booking. I'm very easy to work with, regardless of what people say. But when it came to TNA, I talked to (Tommy) Dreamer at one point. He sent me a plethora of dates for me to do. I have taken so many dates, and usually, they do tapings over the course of a weekend. There was not one weekend that I wasn't booked at least one or both of the days they wanted me to be at. TNA hasn't happened yet, but it'll probably happen eventually.

"I think once I said, 'Hey, I'm booked all these days. Let's try these months'. I haven't heard anything back. I think they want me to work there, but it's more of a scheduling thing. Also, I think right now, with the current relationship between WWE and TNA, I don't know if they're interested in me anymore. They’re already cross-promoting. I think Cody's doing something with TNA eventually. They got the Rascalz in NXT, Joe Hendry. People are believing in him, finally. They get a lot going on."

On potential AEW run/meeting Tony Khan:

"With AEW, I think AEW is a fantastic product, Riddle admits. "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. I felt that because I was on TV, and I'm such a provocative character at times, everything was magnified so much because I was on TV. 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.

"The best answer would be to go to AEW, get more money, and work a decent schedule. 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.

"I know MLW works with New Japan. New Japan works a lot with AEW. Maybe you'll see me on an AEW channel or broadcast sooner rather than later. Maybe you won't."

While Riddle had conversations with TNA, things with AEW went a bit differently. At the New Japan Windy City Riot show in April, which occurred in Chicago, Riddle defended the NJPW World Television Championship against Zach Sabre Jr. Sabre won the match and the belt. Afterward, Riddle ran into AEW Owner Tony Khan. From the way Riddle described the exchange, it was interesting to say the least.

"I talked to Tony," Riddle said. "I don't know if he likes me. He seemed happy. I wrestled Zach Sabre Jr. in Chicago. He seemed cool about it. I don't know. 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. And I was like, ‘Never mind, dude’. I just walked away. So that was my experience with that."

 

[Daddy Dom]

Riddle in TNA feels like that be the biggest signing for them since

 

[Tranquilo Jay]

Both companies keep away. He's such Talented guy but has a horrible demeanor.

 

[Canadian Dragon]

EXCLUSIVE: Matt Riddle Explains Talks With AEW And TNA; Awkward Conversation With Tony Khan

When Matt Riddle got released by WWE, instantly the question became who would he end up with: AEW or TNA? To the shock of fans, Riddle chose a different route

www.si.com

On why he hasn't appeared in TNA yet:



On potential AEW run/meeting Tony Khan:

that tony quote. this dude might be the dumbest motherfucker on the planet lol

 

[Chris]

It almost feels oddly self conscious too, like he thinks he fucked up bc of whatever he said when Tony himself can be awkward and it probably didn't mean anything lol

 

[Daddy Dom]

Think Riddle just does his own thing tbh very much like RVD.

 

[Dubb]

translation: Man I wish AEW would hire me but TK ain't gonna deal with my shit

 

[Canadian Dragon]

translation: Man I wish AEW would hire me but TK ain't gonna deal with my shit

if aew can thank punk for anything its at least that TK aint gonna hire these troubled wrestlers anymore. hopefully....

 

[Sky]

We don't want him. Sincerely: people who watch TNA

 

[Rosie]

We don't want him. Sincerely: people who watch TNA

And sincerely an AEW fan.

Like the accusations of SA is one thing (suit was dropped by the defendant, so in the end, we can't really get more info on it), but I think he has a long way to go in order to rehabilitate his image due to a lot of the behavioral issues he had along with any concerns of addiction given his suspension for the white stuff.

 

[Chris]

I think the SA allegation lost a lot of water when it was revealed Riddle himself had already had a restraining order on her for stalking right? I could be misremembering tho, but I've kinda just been operating on he's stupid and abuses drugs as his main issue

 

[Rosie]

I think the SA allegation lost a lot of water when it was revealed Riddle himself had already had a restraining order on her for stalking right? I could be misremembering tho, but I've kinda just been operating on he's stupid and abuses drugs as his main issue

Yeah, it's still something that at least sits in the back of your mind, but I guess since it was dropped by the plaintiff, it often comes down to either a lack of funds to continue the suit, or not enough evidence to feel you could realistically win. Both are possible. The biggest issue is behavior. Dude got over and had a big chance, but backstage stuff is a dark cloud over him. Do hope he gets the support needed for his drug abuse. It's a disease.

 

[Chris]

I personally don't really look at the legal decision for my own opinions, it's a factor yes, but her dropping it doesn't necessarily mean anything to me, the lack of funds could be the issue like you said. I just thought he had actually already had legal action against her before it that looked really bad for the accusation being true

 

[Sky]

The TNA locker room is the one with the fewest dicks so I can see why they wouldn't want to ruin that

 

[Chris]

The TNA locker room is the one with the fewest dicks so I can see why they wouldn't want to ruin that

Yeah, that really felt like a goal for Scott and I don't think any of the additions this year affect it. The Hardys might come with their own problems but being friendly and pleasant backstage isn't one of them, Riddle was just talking shit about Roman still a few days ago lol