Former WWE star Matt Riddle recently shed light on how a Brock Lesnar match mistake caused the 2022 Men’s Elimination Chamber event to be cut short. In an interview with TMZ Sports, Riddle recounted that Lesnar’s error during the match in Saudi Arabia led to the contest ending about 15 minutes earlier than planned.
Lesnar, known as the Mayor of Suplex City, faced tough competition from Matt Riddle, Bobby Lashley, AJ Styles, Austin Theory, and Seth Rollins in the Elimination Chamber, ultimately claiming the WWE Championship. The match saw Lesnar overpower his opponents and begin his entry by breaking through the Chamber pod. However, according to Riddle, Lesnar lost track of his entrance number, which resulted in him punching the plexiglass door that wasn’t designed to withstand such force. This action unexpectedly rushed the match’s pace and shortened its intended duration.
Details of Lesnar’s Mistake During the Elimination Chamber
Matt Riddle explained that the plexiglass door was weaker than expected, as he himself could kick through it, but wrestlers were typically instructed not to. Lesnar’s frustration caused him to punch the door, leading to a hasty start to his in-ring action. Riddle said,
“I’ve worked with Brock a couple times. At Extreme Rules, Elimination Chamber in Saudi. He literally forgot what number he was supposed to come out, punched the plexiglass door, which isn’t like super strong. I can kick through it, but you’re not supposed to. And then he just bum rushed. He cut the match by 15 minutes. Because he didn’t, he’s like, oh, sell. Like F-5.”
This quote emphasizes the abrupt change in the match’s flow caused by Lesnar’s error.
Past Tensions Between Brock Lesnar and Matt Riddle
Lesnar and Riddle’s relationship has been tense beyond this particular event. According to Pro Wrestling Sheet, the two had an intense verbal altercation behind the scenes before the 2020 Royal Rumble aired on television. While the clash did not escalate into physical violence, it revealed an ongoing friction between the wrestlers that fans have noted over time.
These moments showcase the pressures and high stakes involved in WWE performances, where mistakes can not only affect match outcomes but also relationships among performers. Lesnar’s mishap at the Elimination Chamber illustrates how even top-level athletes can have moments that ripple through their careers and events. Given Lesnar’s stature and history in WWE, such incidents generate discussion on professionalism and the complexities of live wrestling entertainment.
