Matt Riddle

[9.0] "Riddle may be a total twat in real life, and that has ruined the potential he had to be one of the biggest stars in the industry, but it's hard to deny the talent he's shown in the ring. He's managed to show his MMA credentials with a fast, fluid style that mixes grappling and striking well, and his laid-back persona made him a regular highlight on TV."

[10.0] "Its hard to separate the art from the artist, and I'm not here to talk about his personal shit. Just saw him live, doing two matches over three hours. Dude absolutely killed it. I honestly don't think he's lost a step from his earlier days, if anything he's a better storyteller now that he's slowed down. His gimmick is forever- it doesn't require a change 'cause he can be an obnoxious heel or a funny ass babyface, sometimes in the same segment. Easily one of the most athletic guys in the MLW roster, still the best promo, and even the new haircut looks good!"

[8.0] "He's a total bonehead IRL but he's a pretty stellar worker. The MMA influence in his work comes through in spades & he works very well as a badass offense issuer, as well as a pain sponge for bigger dudes to beat down on. His character work depends on what your opinion is, but I'm quite into it."

[5.0] "He was once one of the most exciting guys on a very hot independent scene when his presentation was different to any other guy out there. This sling shotted him into WWE, I saw very little of his work there before he got cut for what we can only presume is his drug addiction. He is completely washed and unmotivated post cut and frankly with what we know about him, should not be getting bookings anyway."

[3.0] "He's decent in the ring, but god does he lose so many points for being awful in literally every other way. I feel like I don't need to elaborate. Constant immature behavior, clearly going off the deep end, calling out former colleagues and spreading rumors (like how AJ Lee is a "sloot"), no showing a charity wrestling show for survivors of domestic abuse, the list goes on. RK-Bro bumped him from a 2 to a 3 but I can't for the life of me think of an actual Riddle match that I have enjoyed. I do not like this guy in or outside of the ring."

[7.0] "An odd case, because as much as I like Matt Riddle, the one to blame for his downfall is himself. If we were talking about his indie run in 2017-2018 it would be a 10/10, just because the awesome matches (especially the ones in PROGRESS). His WWE run was pretty good too, especially the matches against Cole, Thatcher, Rollins, Sheamus and the tag work he did with Dunne and Orton (if you can, watch the Dusty Classic match against Subculture). Sadly his post-WWE run is not good, but if you are curious watch the match he had with ZSJ it was good."

[6.0] "Riddle blends legit MMA credentials with a laid-back, bro-heavy persona that sometimes works. His in-ring style is stiff, fast, and fluid--striking and grappling with an ease that makes his matches feel real without losing entertainment value. His promos can be hit or miss, but his charisma shines through in the ring. He's polarizing for sure, but never boring. I will say his NJPW run was underwhelming compared to his work in WWE. Overall an impressive in-ring talent with a natural presence. Not everyone's cup of tea, but when locked in, he delivers top-tier performances."

[9.0] "Has some great kicks and in-ring ability. I'd say Matt Riddle has a fairly unique style in terms of American wrestlers. Formed great, entertaining tag teams with Pete Dunne and Randy Orton in the past, and has had a lot of success on his own. The nicest wresler I have met in person to-date."

[5.0] "His run in NJPW stunk, he seems like an around terrible person, can't seem to play nice with any promotion or even talent themselves. And the dude bro stoner type was cool like 20 years ago, his wrestling was okay. He should probably grow up and stop starting shit with people."

[8.0] "I like Matt Riddle, he has a great look and great background. Always delivers well in the ring. His partnership with Randy Orton influences me for this rating as well. One thing I don't know though is about his promo work, we didn't see him often step outside of "haha, stoner bro." But during that Seth Rollins feud, there was definitely something there, too bad we didn't see much more of it. Got to meet Riddle also, seems like a good guy for the fans, he also brings this almost "contagious positivity, " likely caused he's perma-stoned, but still, he gives off good vibes when he's with fans. (His last few months with WWE weren't great though, the whole GlasBros thing with Drew McIntyre was obvious filler until Randy returned, which of course was scraped.)"

[7.0] "Very good in the ring, has some charisma. He just never resonated with me and I think other people feel the same way, I never thought he would work in the WWE, I was proven wrong late in his tenure with them. RK-bro was just fantastic and worked well with everyone, he has the personality to get over and the ability to make it happen."

[7.0] "A marvelous wrestler, no two ways about it. That said, his performance outside the ring is a bit lackluster. I like him, but that's it."

[6.0] "As a "character" in WWE, he was great. They really needed a goofy wrestler who could connect with fans and also wrestle, and he fit that to a tee. I think they expected him to grow even more in-ring, but he just didn't. Seems to have stayed at a certain level, which is an "ok" level but if he really wanted to be a top guy in WWE, he needed to do a little more. Life outside the ring seems to have played a big part in his career, I think he gets in his own way a little bit, kinda like RVD. Not hating, these guys have a certain way they want to live life, but it just doesn't mesh well with WWE."

[6.0] "He played his role almost too well, to the point he actually lost all of his brain cells from being the stoner dude. Really quite talented in the ring and brought some great intensity to almost every match I saw from him. If he had only wised up to the business I think he would have been around the World Heavyweight Title scene for years to come but unfortunately his out of ring antics have spoiled me ever wanting to see him perform on a big stage again and I think his legacy will rest with being a transitional US Champion and Randy Orton's annoying Tag Team partner."

[5.0] "A truly gifted in-ring worker, who has an empty head it seems. I could get into his matches due to the sheer workrate he put into them. But I've noticed on several rewatches where I've come across his matches while watching NXT Takeovers, PWG, and other indies recently... That I actually couldn't really stand the person behind the wrestler. He just always seemed like a douche. The drug use, isn't major to me. There are people who have done much worse inside of wrestling circles. It's him not holding himself accountable ever, and being fired due to constant lies. Pretty sure I saw recently that he's appearing at birthday parties now? And if that's true, holy f*** that's sad and a total spin-out of a formerly promising career."

[5.0] "He's good but not great in the ring, his promos are either funny or irritating, and even before the allegations I'd gotten sick of him. He's so none note he was built to burn out on weekly TV. A few good matches and a trend towards MMA/Strong style wrestlers in North America carried an otherwise above average guy."

[7.0] "Matt Riddle is a very talented in-ring worker and exhales charisma wherever he goes, but he can be obnoxious and over the top a lot, and like some controversial wrestlers, he is his own worst enemy when it comes to sabotaging his reputation. I would like to see Matt Riddle in WWE again one day, but for now, he's fine on the independent scene and he's doing just fine there."

[5.0] "Matt Riddle is very good at wrestling and people think he's funny, but I'm not sold on him as anything. Not that his character is bad or that he can't handle himself in a long program, he just doesn't seem to mesh well with the same range of characters as other top players (Ryback suffered from this issue as well, among other things) and I don't get as excited when I imagine him taking on the best the roster has to offer as much as a Gunther or a Drew McIntyre or even a Bron Breakker. He also seems to struggle with promos."

[7.0] "It's really sad his bad behaviour has killed any spark of brightness in his WWE career, 'cause he had everything to be a top star. A funny gimmick, good on the microphone, his laid back personality, a solid story with one of the greatest of all time in Randy Orton, he is really good in the ring... At least he hasn't reached the Velveteen Dream levels of stupidity as far as we know."

[7.0] "Matt Riddle, an excellent wrestler, very talented and charismatic, but not a very good person according to everything that has been said. His personal problems and problems with drugs and alcohol and other controversy caused his career in WWE to end with his release from contract in 2023. Although his career in WWE was good, he won the United States Championship and was part of a great Tag Team with Randy Orton, and Orton never betrayed him."

[7.0] "Matt is a good mid card hand. I dotn see him as main event in WWE, but send him to TNA or AEW and he should be a dominating force. He is a near perfect fit for the US title, and would be a good man to beat theory or LA Knight. Just an amusing presence on screen whenever hes on, and his work with Randy was some of the best tag work of the era, where its only topped by Shinsuke & Boogs, Usos, KO& Sami and FTR. Overall just great"

[5.0] "Good enough for the upper mid card but beyond his unusual ring gear, I don't see much to him. Doing a lot of MMA style kicking which seems to be the norm these days."

[7.0] "Riddle is a guy who I am constantly changing my mind about, he comes across as irritating, he wrestles almost naked which is a visual eye sore, his moveset is unique and entertaining. His work with Randy was pretty good but we never saw a payoff, I don't see this guy as a future world champion but he at least has a spot reserved in the mid card."

[6.0] "He is a solid in ring performer, but I really hate his character. A former UFC fighter should not be a f*cking clown. I had big hopes for him, but now they are all dead."

[4.0] "Not my cup of tea at all. He has good technique and athleticism thanks to his MMA background but that's where it stops for me. I don't buy his work and that's why I feel he is misplaced as a top level guy despite his obvious legitimacy, and that's ignoring his perpetually awful gimmick."

[3.0] "I had such hopes for Riddle, but he turned out to be horrible human being and a rapist. Also, he is one of the few wrestlers who got WORSE as time went on. His run in Progress, besides leading to him raping someone, also magnified all the worst aspects of his wrestling. Then when he got to NXT he continued to degrade. He has a fun character now in the WWE and could go in the ring back before Progress, but he's trash human being and has burned his personal life to a crisp. A perfect fate for someone who I had to throw away his shirt for me and my kid. I can't have my kid wearing a rapist's shirt. You blew it, bro."

[6.0] "Riddle has some talent but has never really connected with me. His character is really inconsistent as sometimes he is a dumb stoner most of the time and occassionally they bring in his UFC background. In the ring he is very good although I have not been impressed on the mic."

[8.0] "Great wrestler ok but why he has to try to destroy his Carrer everytime he can? I Hope he 'll bring his problems out his Life but he has to be more serious. ***3/4"

[8.0] "Entertaining hard worker, capable of having intense hard hitting matches. A reliable good match machine with a lot of charisma. If he can fight his demons and get on track, I have no doubt he'll get better and become a main event draw"

[8.0] "I like that Matt Riddle because he has a goofy persona but can be taken seriously because of his legit background in MMA. He's entertaining and is a 1 of 1 in wrestling. I liked the serious side he showed in his feud with Seth Rollins. I prefer him as a single. Wasn't a a fan of RK-Bro because I don't like thrown together teams. He has solidified himself as a good mid card babyface."

[8.0] "Came in to WWE with a legitimate UFC background, so I knew immediately that they are gonna give him a lot of range, and of course that's exactly what happened. He can take care of himself in the ring if he needs to, hurt someone for real if he has to, etc, and that's right on their meal ticket. He went all in on it. He's not afraid to go out there in flip flops, wear the vibrant colors, ride a scooter, and be a total air head, or stoner as someone else called it. Then when the time and feud calls for it turn up the intensity, be more serious about things, and be viewed as a threat to whoever he's wrestling. I also think having that going for him translates well chemistry wise too with opponents or partners because he can play off their characters with whatever role or range needs to be played."

[8.0] "Riddle is great. He can transition flawlessly between comedy stoner character and serious MMA fighter character. His feud with rollins has really opened my eyes on him and looking forward to seeing what he does next now that it is over."

[6.0] "I still don't understand what people find in Riddle. His micro skills looks like he was taken from a school lesson and immediately given to speak in the ring. He's good in the ring, but his micro skills and charisma are shit."

[5.0] "Amazing in NXT, one of the best performers down there in recent years. On the main roster, he's been the most unbearable character on the roster and it's only gotten worse since he started using Orton's moves. The allegations are unsettling and his story seems very conflicted and confusing, so I still feel a discomfort in my stomach whenever he's on screen now as well."

[6.0] "Just not a fan of the guy. He has shown he can have good matches and his work with Randy is great, but I just don't like him and his gimmick. The allegations don't help."

[6.0] "I feel the allegations that came out about Riddle really diminished his likability. Aside from that, Riddle is a very athletic and talented wrestler, though has shown to have trouble at interviews. His airhead character is good, but I'm not sure the longevity he'll get out of it."

[8.0] "His character is great and would work as a simple comedic wrestler. However, his talent and his ability to get the crowd behind him along with his strong promo work makes him one of the few comedic wrestlers who could main event. An underrated wrestler because of this he can work with the best of them and his work in NXT and outside WWE shows that. Hopefully he will get his time in a prime slot on the main roster as he can put on some classic performances. Edit: While what I said still remains true, I lowered his grade as his character can be a bit much at times. The more I see him the more I see a solid performer and not someone at the main event level on his own. He's still good in the ring and his charisma is off the charts but it can be a bit much at times and I sometimes struggle seeing something more out of him."

[7.0] "I'm not a fan of his gimmick and matches , and in my opinion his overrated. In RK-Bro he is annoying , but he have some skills"

[7.0] "He is a very good in the ring but, Personally, I am not really into this stoner gimmick though he is quite popular with the crowd. His wrestling style needs a little more polished but it suits him."

[5.0] "I ... don't think I get Riddle. I feel like he's not for me. He's good in ring but for this guy who's booked as a super MMA star, his moveset doesn't feel any more MMA influenced than anyone else's to me. I get why the Bro stuff is over, but it leaves me cold. It just reminds me of the guys who picked on me at school, but a really weak wannabe version of them. If he was a heel that'd be one thing, but he mostly works as an ultra-face. It might be me, but there's something missing. *Update*: WWE have leaned into all the most irritating elements of his character in their booking - not his fault, but I was right."

[2.0] "I know that this rating may seem way too low for some people, but to be completely honest, I cannot stand Matt Riddle. Much of the reason why is because his gimmick is almost unbearable. He's not that funny, his promos are cacky, and is just following the stereotype that RVD had many years ago, but worse. I guess as a wrestler, he's fine, but I more so consider him overrated because I don't see him bringing much to the table. I don't understand the hype for this guy and I don't think I ever will. But to be fair, Randy Orton saw something in him, so I guess that's worth something."

[8.0] "One of the best comedic characters in wrestling right now. And he? s also a very good in-ring performer."

[8.0] "Brooooooooooo Riddle is very very entertaining. Hilarious character. But that is not all, he is a fantastic performer, he always delivers great matches. Riddle's promos are good but not extraordinary and he has not had a brilliant career so far, though."

[8.0] "riddle is freakin hilarious. what can you say about this fool. he has an extremely rare type of charisma to him that makes him genuinely entertaining to watch, especially next to the raw roster thats mostly filled with big serious hosses. also, he backs himself up as hes one of wwes finest in-ring workers today, although lowkey, i wish he could be protected better and taken more seriously in the ring. this dude could wreck 90% of wwes roster and take an arm as a souvenir. however, it doesnt change the fact that riddle is currently one of the most unique and funniest things going on in wrestling right now"

[9.0] "Riddle is a bit of an anomaly. Whereas most NXT superstars flop as soon as they get to the main roster, he's done the opposite, consistently putting on great matches and doing a superb job as a comedy act that can go in the ring whenever he needs to be serious. His character is honestly great, he's done better on the main roster than he ever did in NXT. And it looks like he's only getting started, with 2021 being a very promising year for him so far. One of the better wrestlers in the company for sure."

[10.0] "Wresler who really proved himself: ringskill, mic-skill and other. I'm waiting for push by WWE this big talent. He is on level Walter, David Starr."

[9.0] "Riddle is a great wrestler. He's a legitimate badass, he has a very original and unique moveset, and he's a natural on the mic. He's been booked fairly well so far, and if this continues, I can definitely see him becoming a HoF level worker."

[8.0] "He's good wrestler and he has incredibly funny segments. I don't see him as a world champion, but definitely a great midcarder."

[8.0] "Riddle is actually a good performer in the ring and I think he can still progress a lot, he can definitely become something big in the future."

[3.0] "I do not get the hype for Matt Riddle, He is annoying, boring and stale as a character and is nothing special at all in the ring. He just seems to be one of those MMA guys ready for a second paycheck to me."