Matt Riddle Explains His Controversial AJ Lee Comments
Matt Riddle has had a long-running feud with CM Punk that recently became more personal and public.
The beef intensified when Riddle made controversial comments about Punk’s wife, former WWE Divas Champion AJ Lee. Matt Riddle implied that AJ Lee “got around,” which fans and critics found disrespectful.
“AJ, you know, I have no problems with her. She never stepped into it. I mean, to be fair, and I’m not one to talk – I’m a little f*cked up myself – but she did go get around from what I heard. But no disrespect to that. Hey, it’s whatever. People like to hook up, people like to hook up. And if that’s the worst thing he did, whatever, dude. I’ve done it too. But yeah, no ill will towards anybody else,” Riddle said about Lee in an interview.
These remarks drew widespread backlash, especially from wrestling personalities like Booker T, who harshly criticized Riddle for burning bridges with such comments. Booker T said Matt Riddle’s behavior showed a lack of respect for the wrestling business and could prevent him from returning to a major promotion like WWE.
Matt Riddle Defends Himself Against Criticism Over Controversial AJ Lee Comments
In the face of mounting criticism, Riddle appeared in a TMZ’s Inside The Ring interview again to address his comments about AJ Lee. He explained that what he said was merely based on what he heard in the locker room and was never intended to hurt or offend anyone personally.
Matt Riddle emphasized that he did not have a personal issue with AJ Lee and acknowledged that his remarks were an attempt to be honest about rumors he had heard, not to launch an attack.
“Hey, that’s just the word on the street. There’s words on the street about me. I get it. I hear you, girl. I hear you by yourself. I hear everybody. But yeah, dude, it is what it is.”
“And I didn’t mean it mean, you know? It’s just—think about it.”
“I saw you make out with hella wrestlers, dude.”