During an interview, former WWE star Matt Riddle harshly criticized Brock Lesnar, alleging that Lesnar deviated from the planned script during the Elimination Chamber 2022 event held in Saudi Arabia. Riddle, known for his outspoken nature, accused Lesnar of disregarding the match plan, which led to a significant reduction in the bout’s duration.
Riddle claimed that Lesnar failed to cooperate with fellow competitors by not selling their moves, ultimately shortening the fight by about 15 minutes. He expressed frustration over Lesnar’s behavior, asserting that the former Universal Champion acted independently to advance his own interests within WWE.
“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…“[He] punched the plexiglass door — which isn’t super strong. Like, 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, like, he didn’t — he’s like, ‘Oh, sell.’ Like… F-5. He writes his own ticket, essentially. “And then Paul Heyman pretended like it didn’t happen or was like, ‘Oh, that was my mistake.’ And it’s like… no, it wasn’t. Yeah. F*** him, dude. He just went into business for himself.”
— Matt Riddle, former WWE star
Riddle’s comments highlight ongoing tensions between him and Lesnar, with the former suggesting that The Beast Incarnate prioritizes his own agenda over collaborative storytelling in wrestling matches.
Allegations Regarding the 2022 Royal Rumble Outcome
Earlier this year, Matt Riddle revealed a separate disagreement involving Brock Lesnar and the 2022 Men’s Royal Rumble match. In an interview with Sportskeeda’s Kevin Kellam, Riddle stated that WWE initially planned for him to win the Royal Rumble and eliminate Lesnar during the event.
However, that plan reportedly changed when Lesnar opposed the idea, leading to his victory instead. Riddle argued this shift curtailed his own opportunity, noting that he was among the last participants in the match and felt he deserved to win based on logic and his strong position within the event.
“You know, it’s WWE, anything can happen at any time. It’s a wild place to work. There was, believe it or not, when Randy [Orton] and I were together, and they pitched it – that I would win the Rumble, have some back-and-forth, maybe get rid of Brock [Lesnar]. And then Brock came in and called the match and that wasn’t going to happen. But yeah, people argue but, I was one of the last four people in the Rumble. How couldn’t I have won? I was in the final four or five in the Rumble out of 30. Common sense, bro!”
— Matt Riddle, former WWE star
This revelation sheds light on backstage dynamics during a critical PPV event and contributes to the ongoing Brock Lesnar controversy 2022 that has attracted widespread wrestling fan attention.
Background on the Relationship Between Riddle and Lesnar
Matt Riddle’s outspoken nature has often brought him into conflict with other wrestlers and WWE figures, but his history with Brock Lesnar is notably contentious. Their clashes extend beyond in-ring competition to disputes over match outcomes and professionalism during high-profile WWE events.
During the Elimination Chamber match, Riddle alleged Lesnar appeared unfocused and aggressive while neglecting the match script, as illustrated by his punching of the plexiglass door and cutting the scheduled bout time. These actions reportedly frustrated other performers and diminished the overall quality of the event.
Paul Heyman, Lesnar’s longtime advocate and manager, was said to have downplayed the incident, attributing the chaos to a misunderstanding. Riddle refuted this explanation, emphasizing that Lesnar’s choices were deliberate and self-serving.
The Broader Impact of Lesnar’s Behavior on WWE Storylines
This series of incidents involving Brock Lesnar has fueled debates about his influence on WWE’s creative direction and match planning, especially regarding 2022’s biggest events. His reputation for controlling his own narratives in the ring raises questions about collaboration among wrestlers and fairness in booking decisions.
For Matt Riddle, these disputes reflect larger frustrations among performers who feel sidelined or undermined when marquee talents like Lesnar take independent control during matches. Such controversies have heightened fan scrutiny and skepticism over WWE’s booking transparency.
What’s Next in the Brock Lesnar Controversy?
As the Brock Lesnar controversy 2022 continues to unfold, fans and insiders alike are watching closely to see how WWE management addresses the issues raised by Riddle and others. The potential impact on Lesnar’s standing with the company and future main event opportunities remains uncertain, especially amid calls for more cooperative storytelling.
With talent like Randy Orton, Becky Lynch, and Sami Zayn involved in ongoing WWE storylines, Lesnar’s behavior and backstage decisions could ripple across the roster, influencing character arcs and match outcomes in upcoming events.
