Candy Cartwright Issues Statement After Matt Riddle Voluntarily Dismisses Restraining Order Petition Against Her

Candy Cartwright says she’ll continue to fight back and speak up.

Cartwright (Samantha Tavel) shared the following remarks, including a prepared statement from the Time’s Up Legal Defense Fund in regard to her allegations against WWE Superstar Matt Riddle.

I would like to thank @TIMESUPLDF for helping me through these difficult months and helping me push back against these claims. I also want to thank everyone who supported me in this. I appreciate every single one of you.

In June, Cartwright accused Riddle of sexually assaulting her on multiple occasions, publicly speaking about two separate incidents. Although both admitted to having a consensual affair in the past, Riddle denied the allegations of sexual assault and claimed she was acting out over being upset that he broke off their fling.

Related: Matt Riddle Denies Sexually Assaulting Candi Cartwright, Says She’s Upset He Broke Off Their Affair

Cartwright later hired legal counsel to fight back against the claims made by Riddle, who accused Cartwright of stalking and harassing him. He alleged that he got so sad and depressed over hiding the affair from his wife and friends that he came clean and Tavel wouldn’t accept the fling being over. Riddle then claimed Tavel was cyberstalking him, so much to the point that he blocked her on social media and changed his phone number several times. Riddle says Tavel was upset and attempted to ruin his career throughout the Speaking Out movement, and that is unacceptable.

Riddle and his lawyer petitioned for a restraining order but that has now been voluntarily dismissed by Riddle just 36 hours before it was scheduled to go to court.

“I’m relieved that these claims were dismissed, but the damage to my reputation and career remains. I came forward to prevent this from happening to other women, and will continue to fight for justice,” said Tavel. “It’s not easy to see my name smeared on social media or wake up to hate messages and threats. But I am speaking up because I was inspired by the brave women who came before me. My hope is that other victims of sexual violence feel empowered to share the truth about their experiences as I have done and will continue to do.”

The full statement from Cartwright is below:

Related: Matt Riddle Voluntarily Dismisses Restraining Order Petition Against Accuser