Matt Riddle, former WWE Superstar, recently disclosed the intense reaction Roman Reigns had to comments Riddle made during an interview years ago, highlighting the tension surrounding the Roman Reigns interview controversy. Riddle shared these details while speaking on TMZ Inside The Ring, revealing how his remarks caused friction with the WWE Tribal Chief.
Riddle’s Past Comments Ignited Strong Response from Roman Reigns
During his appearance on TMZ Inside The Ring, Matt Riddle recounted how Roman Reigns “flipped out” after Riddle’s remarks about him surfaced. Riddle explained that he received a direct message from Reigns stating, “Not cool, dude,” prompting Riddle to apologize immediately. He went further by drafting a lengthy apology, which his friend Randy helped revise to better suit the situation. The final message read as a lighthearted peace offering:
“My bad, bro, maybe we’ll work someday soon.”
Since then, they have collaborated professionally, and Riddle confirmed the mutual respect between them despite the heated moment.
He texted me, ‘Not cool, dude.’ And I was like, ‘Oh shit.’ I apologized. So I wrote this long apology. I go, ‘Randy, how does this look?’ He goes, ‘Nah, this isn’t right.’ He fixes the text. He goes, ‘here,’ and it was basically like, ‘My bad, bro, maybe we’ll work someday soon.’ We’ve worked since then. The guy loves me. I would beat him in a fight, though. That’s just real.
Matt Riddle, Former WWE Superstar
The comments Riddle referred to originated from a 2021 interview he gave during his WWE tenure, where he provocatively claimed that he could defeat Roman Reigns in a real fight. This statement stirred controversy and evidently caused friction behind the scenes.
Conflicts with Other WWE Wrestlers Revealed by Riddle
Riddle has admitted that his outspoken nature has led to tensions with several other WWE personalities. In a different TMZ conversation held in August, he named names such as Goldberg and CM Punk, asserting that some wrestlers have taken offense due to his bluntness. Riddle said these individuals react strongly when he speaks uncomfortable truths about them.
The thing is, I’ve noticed this, even with Bill Goldberg and certain people I’ve rubbed the wrong way,
Matt Riddle, Former WWE Superstar
He elaborated further on the resistance he has faced for sharing his opinions, including from Roman Reigns himself. Riddle explained that truthfulness often sparks anger among his peers within the sports entertainment industry and sometimes fans as well.
When I say Goldberg, you’re a terrible wrestler and you injure people, he gets mad. They asked me to talk crap about Roman. I told everybody, ‘Hey, you might beat me in the ring, but if we were in a cage or in the street, I’d beat the hell out of him.’ He knows that and I know that and everybody else knows that. From what I’ve noticed, and it’s crazy because we’re in this world of sports entertainment, a lot of people get really angry and really uncomfortable with the truth. Especially fans as well.
Matt Riddle, Former WWE Superstar
Understanding the Fallout and What Lies Ahead
Matt Riddle’s candid remarks have exposed underlying tensions between WWE superstars and highlighted the sensitivity surrounding the Roman Reigns interview controversy. While these moments of conflict seem personal, they reflect the competitive and high-pressure environment within WWE.
The willingness of Riddle and Reigns to move forward after their dispute suggests potential for future collaboration despite past disagreements. As WWE continues to evolve, the impact of such candid interviews and the reactions they elicit may affect backstage dynamics and public perception.
Fans and observers are left to consider how much off-screen rivalries influence the on-screen product and the overall culture within wrestling’s biggest promotion.
