matt riddle
Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons / ZekeDane

Matt Riddle Talks WWE Transition, WWE’s Production, MMA Interest, Goldberg, More

NXT Superstar Matt Riddle did an exclusive interview with Talksport about a variety of topics and the full highlights of that interview can be seen below.

On the transition from the indy scene to WWE:

For me, it was more of a step up in professionalism. Not so much the wrestling, per se, but more so how you handle yourself in and out of work and how you go to work, showing up, looking proper and things like that; well, you know me, I’ll just show up in some flip-flops and that, which, they still kind of let me do because it’s a part of my character. So, I still get away with a lot of stuff I probably shouldn’t.

On WWE’s Production:

A couple of years ago at an Evolve show, it was Royal Rumble weekend and I went to a TakeOver and Shinsuke Nakamura came out. And I’ve seen him on TV but I was never impressed. I was like, yeah his moves are cool, but I just don’t get it. And then when I saw him in person and I saw the atmosphere that was created for him and what he did with it, I was like ‘holy crap, this dude is a star!’, my mind was blown.

On being interested in MMA:

I have no itch. I’m happy wrestling. The only way I’d go back is if I could fight like Jon Jones for millions of dollars, but, other than that, there’s no reason. I don’t see how I win even if I win. If I win that fight, I don’t see how I benefit. I already fought in the UFC, killed it there, they fired me on a winning streak because I was too badass and that’s about it.

On Goldberg:

He just has three-minute matches. I don’t care how much money he makes, I’m just glad people were entertained. But, stick to your wheelhouse, bro. And stop headbutting doors before you wrestle. And I’m not hating – I’m not hating – I’m just spitting facts and these are all facts and things he should take into consideration. And not just for me, not because he got made fun of, but for his health as well.

On Brock Lesnar:

I have a huge amount of respect for Lesnar. You know, he’s done everything since he came into it. He works hard. You don’t look like Lesnar without working hard. You don’t pick up things, get to the top of multiple industries and sports without working hard.

On getting called up to the main roster:

I’ve heard about the ‘curse’ or whatever it is. I do believe you have to have a certain look that Vince likes, or they like; it’s not one person. One person might make the decisions at the end of the day, but a lot of people talk to that one person. If everybody is on your side, probably not going to hurt, right? So I like at it like this, got to play politics. But I’m not worried, I think once I get up it will be the right time. They’ll know what to do with me.

You can read the complete interview here.

READ MORE: Matt Riddle Explains His Animosity Towards Golberg

 

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