Matt Riddle would happily return to the WWE if the company would take him back.
The former United States Champion was released by the WWE last year after an incident at an airport. This followed multiple failed drug tests and a stint in rehab, leaving the company no choice.
Since then, he has been competing all over the world in a variety of promotions. Matt Riddle has wrestled in NJPW, TNA, AAA and more and looks to be rebuilding his career on the indie scene.
Matt Riddle recently appeared on Developmentally Speaking and was asked if he would ever return to the WWE. The former UFC star revealed he would if the company accepted him back.
“Yeah, for sure, if they would ever have me back, I would definitely go back. You know, I think for me, the amount of time I was working there—and the long length of time I worked there—I was just a little overwhelmed. Then, having me go to rehab for a couple of months… I don’t know if you know anything about rehab, but it’s not a vacation. It’s brutal.”
“If anything, I don’t want to sound bad, but I think it made things worse. Going straight from there back to TV, the travel, the stress, having another kid on the way, and trying to handle everything else I do… it was just too much for me. I got overwhelmed.”
“It took one comment from one person—regardless of whether I was drunk off my ass or not, and I admit I was in the wrong in that sense—but I’m usually a pretty cool guy. If somebody crosses the line or mentions certain things about me, I’m going to go off. I paid the price and I’m still paying the price.”
Matt Riddle: I’m A Cult Classic, I’m Evil Dead
Matt Riddle continued. He called his UFC release a “blessing in disguise”, and implied being fired from the WWE was the same.
But you know what? I got fired from the UFC for smoking weed, and it was a blessing in disguise. I got to work for WWE and become a top star. Then, when I got fired from WWE, I went to New Japan and won the Television Title from Tanahashi-san. I went to Mexico and beat Komander for the AAA Championship. I’m about to win the MLW Championship on top of the Combat ONE Championship I already have. Right now, I’ve got a stack of eight championships in my house.
Some people might say, ‘Yeah, but it’s not WWE,’ and I’m like, ‘Dude, I’m happy.’ Before WWE, I remember saying to my family and friends, ‘If I never make it to WWE, I’ll still be happy.’ My indie run and even now—I’m like a cult classic. I’m like Evil Dead. I’m not the number-one movie at the box office, but the people who watch me and know me get it and love me. That’s what it’s all about, dude.”
