Matt Riddle’s explanation regarding charity event controversy disputed, former WWE star vows to repay expenses.
Yesterday, it was made known that Matt Riddle no-showed a charity wrestling event for Al Snow’s Global Wrestling Kingdom on August 31 in England. Reports from Cultaholicstated that the former WWE star was booked months ahead, but only recently expressed concerns about his flights and accommodations in the area after claiming it was cheap.
GWK tried to organize wrestling seminars for Riddle to make extra money while in the country, but was unable to finalize events on short notice. It was later shared that he never traveled to England, and the driver who was supposed to pick him up was left waiting for several hours.
As a result of missing the event that raised funds in support of survivors of domestic abuse and homeless veterans, the promotion refunded the meet-and-greets, and the former WWE star hasn’t returned his deposit yet.
On a post on X (Twitter), Matt Riddle spoke up about the controversy and shared that it wasn’t a charity event until the last second. Matt added that he didn’t like flying on Thursday despite the show taking place on Sunday, noting that he was promised meet and greets, other matches, and appearances, but none of that occurred, and he didn’t want to be in a hotel room for two days.
Riddle added that he had work for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and could only fly on Saturday evening. When Matt asked the promotion to pay for that flight, they refused to do so. He explained that this was the reason he wrestled in Miami.
The former superstar stated that the promotion booked him the “worst flight in history,” with no meal and in a middle seat. After these claims, Global Wrestling Kingdom has an update regarding the situation and debunked the recent claims from Matt Riddle.
Global Wrestling Kingdom “Set The Record Clear” On Situation With Former WWE Star Matt Riddle
In a recent Facebook post by Global Wrestling Kingdom, they shared that Riddle had already paid back the deposit and promised to reimburse other expenses the promotion made for him. They also noted that they haven’t made a public statement on the situation, but it was important to “set the record clear on Mr. Riddle’s claims.”
GWK noted that flights were booked and approved through his manager in April, with no issues being raised at the time. The promotion added that they planned to coincide his appearance with some seminars, but “his manager if we could share his weekend with a promoter in Paris who wanted to book him on the Saturday, which we agreed to.
Unfortunately, gyms and promotions decided they couldn’t work with him despite the promotion’s best efforts, noting that they couldn’t force them to work with the former WWE star if they didn’t wish to do so. GWK continued that they have been chasing Matt’s manager for months for a promised hype promo, which Riddle eventually sent on Wednesday.
They wished him a safe flight on Thursday, with no issues with the flight being raised. On Friday, they informed him of the driver’s name, but got no response; no issue was raised regarding the flight, nor did he open up that he had no plans of showing up.
Matt Riddle only replied to GWK on Friday evening, where he expressed being unhappy about his flight and decided to take other bookings instead. The promotion then “implored him to try and get a flight over as fans had paid to see him,” and that it was a charity event for ‘Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide’ and ‘help 4 homeless veterans,’ which was announced in July.
GWK only got a response from Matt Riddle three days after the event, then included screenshots that two meals were included in his flight, and “No seats were allocated because this is done once you check in online which Mr. Riddle hadn’t done.”
Global Wrestling Kingdom added that although what happened with Matt Riddle was disappointing, they praised all the talent and fans who showed up on Sunday, giving the spotlight to Grado, who replaced the former WWE star against Simon Miller in the main event.
Global Wrestling Kingdom (GWK) update on the Matt Riddle situation pic.twitter.com/J74c2Tzj3D
— III (@user1116316778) September 4, 2025
In other news: Fans didn’t take Matt Riddle’s claims about AJ Lee lightly.