Matt Riddle’s WWE Absence Due To Second Failed Drug Test

A new report sheds light on the reason behind Matt Riddle being written off television on last week’s WWE Raw.

The December 5th edition of WWE Raw saw Matt Riddle team with Kevin Owens in an attempt to unseat The Usos as Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions. Riddle was scheduled to team with Elias, but The Bloodline attacked The Drifter prior to the show, rendering him unable to compete.

The record-breaking tag team champions were able to retain their titles, but they weren’t content to respectfully celebrate their victory. Instead, The Bloodline chose to deliver a further beatdown. After The Usos and Sami Zayn were run out of the arena by a chair-wielding Kevin Owens, Matt Riddle was left alone to be further brutalized by Solo Sikoa, whose attack on The Original Bro included a dreaded Samoan Spike.

Riddle was removed from the arena on a stretcher, and it was later revealed on WWE’s social media that he would be out for at least six weeks. He was also removed from WWE Live Events.

Now, a new report from Cassidy Haynes of Bodyslam.net sheds light on the reason Riddle was written off television for an extended absence. The report began by calling back to Riddle’s planned match with Seth Rollins at SummerSlam being postponed until Clash at the Castle in September, a move that was attributed to “creative adjustments” at the time.

However, sources told Haynes that the decision to postpone that match was actually due to Matt Riddle failing a drug test. Those sources noted that the company informed Riddle that if he were to fail a second test, it would be a “fired or rehab” situation, similar to the ultimatum presented to Jeff Hardy in the past.

Now, according to the Bodyslam.net report, Riddle has indeed failed a second drug test and will enter rehab. Sources who spoke to Cassidy Haynes believe that he has either already begun treatment or will enter soon, as most treatment programs last 30 days, and he needs to be finished by the time of his scheduled return in six weeks.

While Haynes made inquiries, there is no information as to the exact nature of the failed drug test. The report does note that WWE no longer tests its talent for marijuana use.