Current RAW Tag Team Champion Riddle has reportedly been subject to “a lot of heat” after he passed comment on Roman Reigns saying that he moves the needle.
Riddle had some harsh words for Roman Reigns over his comments about “moving the needle” following the news that this year’s WWE SummerSlam was the most-viewed and highest-grossing of all time.
Riddle was speaking to Bleacher Report about the success of his tag team with Randy Orton, RK-Bro, at the event, where the pair captured the WWE Raw Tag Team Championships. The topic moved to Roman Reigns tweeting that he was “Legitimate needle moving” in response to WWE announcing the record success of this year’s SummerSlam. The ‘Original Bro’ slammed the ‘Head of the Table’, saying that while he seems like “a swell fella”, he’s not impressed by him and proceeded to claim he could beat Reigns up in a “real fight.”
Riddle stated:
“No disrespect to Roman, he seems like a swell fella, but at the same time, it’s like when people say they’re a good parent. You know what? If you were a good parent, your kids would be telling you you’re a good parent. When he’s saying ‘Acknowledge me’ or ‘I move the needle,’ no, you don’t. You’re related to The Rock. Shut up. Like, I’m not impressed, I can beat you up in a real fight. So, shut your mouth.”
“You’re not moving needles. I’m the real stallion, RK-Bro is moving the merch, we’re moving the needle, and that’s it. I don’t want to say too much, I’m not trying to get in trouble. Hey, hats off to him. He’s amazing at what he does. I do like what he does, but at the same time, it’s like, get off your high horse. You’re in that spot for a reason. You’re not a bro. You’re second generation. I’m first generation.”
The “needle moving” comments came on the back of WWE President Nick Khan using the phrase in relation to recent releases made by the company.
Now Dave Meltzer has reported in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that there are some in the company not happy with Riddle’s comments:
“There was a lot of heat in certain circles on Riddle for comments on Bleacher Report on Reigns. This was definitely not storyline-related. Of course, someday it could end up being storyline-related but Riddle is on Raw and not being pushed at the singles main event level and Reigns is on SmackDown. There is a draft so it could happen, but it was very much considered a negative by many with the basic theme that Riddle is incredibly talented, more so than he gets credit for, but he’s not very astute politically in the WWE jungle.”