Matt Riddle is back in the big leagues.
Riddle has climbed his way up after almost a year of absence from mainstream television wrestling since his WWE departure. After parting ways with the Stamford-based promotion last year, Riddle found himself in the indies, and at some short stints in MLW and NJPW.
Earlier today, as per a report from PWInsider, the former United States Champion was heavily rumored to make his TNA debut at the Turning Point PPV. In the latter half of the Turning Point PPV, Matt Riddle made his TNA debut during a six-man tag team match involving Jeff Hardy, Matt Hardy, Ace Austin against Kushida, and Zachary Wentz.
.@SuperKingofBros joins @ZacharyWentz and KUSHIDA to take on The Hardys and @The_Ace_Austin!
Watch #TNATurningPoint LIVE on TNA+: https://t.co/0ovLf8f4ml
Use code TNAFREE for one month free of TNA+: https://t.co/EkIqqcuYSKpic.twitter.com/ICk8BJDHnP
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) November 30, 2024
Entering a roaring crowd at the Benton Convention Center in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Riddle replaced Trey Miguel as he faced the current world tag-team champions, Jeff and Matt Hardy.
Despite a hard-fought match, the team of Riddle, Kushida, and Wentz lost as Jeff Hardy pinned Kushida after a Swanton Bomb.
The bout closed with all six men sharing a show of respect in the ring and raising each other’s hands, before Riddle walked out and let the rest soak in the moment. This marked Riddle’s first pro-wrestling television appearance in a long time, as fans hope to see more.
In recent news, Matt Hardy had high praise for a recent Raw segment that he believes was a “excellent segment.”
AEW Announcer Explains Why Tony Khan Might Not Sign Matt Riddle To AEW
In an episode of the ‘Grilling JR‘ podcast, AEW announcer Jim Ross explained why Tony Khan might hesitate to sign Matt Riddle. While Ross praised the former tag champ’s wrestling abilities, he claimed that Riddle’s controversial past might prevent Khan from signing him.
I don’t know if there’s an opportunity there or not. If they decided — I would suggest that he’d be given a shot. I understand Tony’s reluctance because Matt has a little baggage. How much that baggage weighs, I don’t know, but I know he’s a very talented kid, got a great look.
He’s got that Kevin Von Erich look. He wrestles barefoot. I’ll never say never, I don’t know that it’s even on the drawing board, have no idea, that’s a Tony Khan thing, not nothing I’m involved in. Whatever Tony Khan does, I’ll do my best to make it work in my role. You can’t never turn your back on talented wrestlers who are still, I guess Matt Riddle is still in his early 30s, late 20s.
He looks good, he’s got a unique style, he’s got good charisma. He brings something to the table and I learned from the cowboy many many years ago, Bill hired guys he didn’t like at all, but he knew they drew money. So, that’s what his priority, which it should have been, he was a one man band. Bringing guys in that would draw money would just help everybody, help everybody in the card when you stop to think about it”
In other news: A legendary AEW announcer has heaped praises on Paul Heyman.