Former WWE Superstar Matt Riddle disclosed in a recent interview with Inside The Ring that he was once in consideration to win the Brock Lesnar Royal Rumble 2022 spot. The original plan featured Riddle winning the Royal Rumble, which would have led to tension within his tag team, RK-Bro, potentially causing its breakup. However, WWE altered those creative plans, and Brock Lesnar was ultimately the winner of the event.
Brock Lesnar was initially expected to make his return at Royal Rumble 2022, but the plan was scrapped due to Lesnar’s involvement in a lawsuit against Vince McMahon. Instead, Lesnar made his comeback at SummerSlam 2025, where he defeated John Cena, reigniting interest in their longstanding rivalry.
Details of the Proposed Storyline Involving Riddle and RK-Bro Split
Matt Riddle explained the storyline pitched by multiple WWE producers, which aimed to separate him from his teammate Randy Orton. According to Riddle, his Royal Rumble victory would have earned him a title shot, causing a rift between him and Orton because Riddle’s pursuit of the world championship would appear to abandon the RK-Bro team.
“You know, people are gonna hate, but there was there was it was pitched. It was pitched. I’ve talked to multiple producers about it, etc. And it was pitched because they wanted to. This was still when they were trying to break me and Randy up. So, the idea was I win the Rumble, but then I get a title shot, but then Randy’s mad that I got the title shot, and I’m kind of abandoning our team of RK-Bro to fulfill my dream of becoming world champion, you know, and that was that was pitched, you know, and that was the thing. But they went a different route. I believe Brock won, you know.”
Despite this potential breakthrough for Riddle, WWE decided to proceed with the more established global star Brock Lesnar winning the Rumble instead. This shift altered the trajectory of RK-Bro’s storyline and delayed Riddle’s chase for the top title.
Other Insights From Matt Riddle’s Interview
In addition to discussing the Royal Rumble plans, Riddle touched on various notable moments from his WWE career. Among these were his attendance at Hulk Hogan’s funeral and his backstage tensions with Goldberg. These candid stories revealed the complexities of navigating backstage relationships and the personal challenges faced during his time in WWE.
Recent WWE Controversies and Superstar Stories
The wrestling world continues to buzz with off-screen drama involving several WWE figures. Nikki Bella recently expressed frustration over an incident with a current WWE star during their time in FCW, which she felt made her appear foolish. Former performers have also shared their grievances regarding character assignments, with one ex-WWE star criticizing the creative direction given by Vince McMahon that did not align with their persona.
Fans have reacted strongly to recent images featuring Triple H and Stephanie McMahon, noting changes in Triple H’s physique and Stephanie’s appearance. Meanwhile, Matt Riddle revealed experiencing unusual backstage dynamics, including a lack of communication from Triple H, which contrasts with the usual rapport the Executive Vice President maintains with talent.
Notable WWE Revelations on Live Television and Injuries
Torrie Wilson disclosed an incident where a WWE Hall of Famer went off script and slapped her during a televised segment, highlighting the unpredictable nature of some wrestling moments. Additionally, questions have arisen about the true extent of injuries sustained by top Champions. While Seth Rollins was criticized for inaccuracies regarding a knee injury, concerns linger around another former champion recently seen on crutches.
Superstars Confrontations and Contract Updates
There have been public criticisms within the WWE roster, with a former champion openly rebuking Drew McIntyre for an embarrassing mistake, asserting that McIntyre shifted blame to others unfairly. Meanwhile, Jimmy Uso confirmed that a member of the Bloodline stable remains under WWE contract despite an absence lasting over 30 months, implying potential future developments for the faction.
Significance of the Royal Rumble Spot Change and Its Impact on WWE Storylines
The alteration of the Royal Rumble 2022 plans notably affected Matt Riddle’s career direction and WWE’s narrative choices. By opting for Brock Lesnar to claim victory, WWE reinforced the status of its dominant marquee star, yet missed the opportunity to elevate Riddle to a main event spotlight at that moment. The handling of Riddle’s intended story arc also highlights issues within WWE creative decisions, particularly regarding talent utilization and backstage dynamics.
With Brock Lesnar’s impressive return at SummerSlam 2025 rekindling his rivalry with John Cena, fans anticipate whether WWE will build new storylines around their renewed conflict. Riddle’s revelations suggest that significant storylines can be stalled or reshaped due to corporate decisions, backstage politics, or external factors like lawsuits, shaping the future of WWE programming and character development.
