AEW Figure Thinks Company Should Give Matt Riddle A Chance
The Matt Riddle to AEW speculation continues.
During a recent interview, Matt Riddle was very complimentary about AEW, although he’d had a somewhat awkward first meeting with Tony Khan.
Riddle has been a regular on the independent scene since leaving WWE in September 2023. As with every former WWE Superstar, Riddle has been repeatedly linked with a move to AEW, but 12 months on from becoming a free agent, a deal is yet to materialise.
During an episode of his Grilling JR podcast, Jim Ross suggested he’d give Riddle a shot in AEW, but acknowledged why Tony Khan might feel differently. Controversy is never too far away from the star who failed two drug tests while with WWE and left following an incident at JFK airport.
“I don’t know if there’s an opportunity there or not. If they decided — I would suggest that he’d be given a shot. I understand Tony’s reluctance because Matt has a little baggage. How much that baggage weighs, I don’t know, but I know he’s a very talented kid, got a great look. He’s got that Kevin Von Erich look. He wrestles barefoot.
I’ll never say never, I don’t know that it’s even on the drawing board, have no idea, that’s a Tony Khan thing, not nothing I’m involved in. Whatever Tony Khan does, I’ll do my best to make it work in my role. You can’t never turn your back on talented wrestlers who are still, I guess Matt Riddle is still in his early 30s, late 20s. He looks good, he’s got a unique style, he’s got good charisma.
He brings something to the table and I learned from the cowboy many many years ago, Bill hired guys he didn’t like at all, but he knew they drew money. So, that’s what his priority, which it should have been, he was a one man band. Bringing guys in that would draw money would just help everybody, help everybody in the card when you stop to think about it,”
AEW Has No Interest In Matt Riddle
Despite Jim Ross thinking a deal would be worth a shot, it’s been reported that AEW has no interest in signing Matt Riddle. Furthermore, Tony Khan hasn’t had any interest “especially over the last few years.”
The report noted that AEW talent rarely works works with Riddle on the independent scene, and usually only in Mexico.
While that door might be closed, Riddle has held talks with TNA, and the company is hopeful he can appear. The star has made appearances in MLW and NJPW in recent months, but he’s working without a contract.
H/t to Fightful