News

Matt Riddle To Have First Post-WWE Match Against Hall Of Famer

By Lyle Kilbane • Published 1st November 2023
Matt Riddle

Matt Riddle will take to the ring for the first time since being fired by WWE against a Hall of Fame star who is very familiar to AEW audiences.

Matt Riddle was released from his WWE contract on September 22nd, 2023 bringing his five-year stint with the company to an end. Riddle was part of the first mass release in the company since the takeover by Endeavor and the merger between WWE and UFC.

Prior to entering the world of pro wrestling, Matt Riddle had been an MMA fighter and competed in 12 fights for UFC between 2008 and 2013. His last fight in the company was originally a win for Riddle but it was later declared a no contest after he tested positive for cannabis – the second time that had happened in his career – and that led to his release from the company.

Matt Riddle Will Face Rob Van Dam

Now Riddle will be getting back in a wrestling ring as he will face WWE Hall of Famer and recent AEW star Rob Van Dam on Saturday, March 9th, 2024 in Chillicothe, Ohio. The match was announced by tag team legend Bobby Fulton of The Fantastics on social media.

Matt Riddle’s final match in WWE happened on the 4th of September edition of Monday Night Raw when he teamed with Drew McIntyre in a defeat against The Viking Raiders.

52-year-old Rob Van Dam has been part of the AEW roster in recent months and teamed with HOOK on the 25th of October edition of Dynamite to defeat The Dark Order.