In a candid interview on TMZ Inside The Ring, former WWE United States Champion Matt Riddle discussed his 2023 release from the company, stating that he believes the decision was financially motivated. He also made the reveal that he was let go just days before his contract was set to roll over into a new, significantly higher salary.
Riddle contextualized his release as part of a larger series of cuts that included other veteran talents. “They’ve been firing people,” he said. “When I got fired, they fired Dolph Ziggler, Mustafa Ali, countless others… I think it was mostly money. Certain people were there this long, you got a certain check.”
He then revealed the specific timing of his release and the money he was about to make. “I know my last year, I was supposed to make a million dollars a year. They fired me, and it ended December 27 before I started making that first week of a million a year,” Riddle said. “This close.”
Despite the circumstances and financial implications of his release, Riddle maintained that he doesn’t harbor any resentment towards his former employer. “Of course, dude, I have no ill will towards WWE. I don’t agree with their business practices at this moment right now, but that’s nothing against them. I think they’re just being told what to do, and they’re doing it,” he stated.
Matt Riddle was released from WWE on September 22, 2023, amidst a wave of talent cuts following the finalization of the TKO Group Holdings merger. Since becoming a free agent, Riddle has made a successful transition to the independent and working for other promotions.
If you use any portion of the quotes from this article, please credit TMZ Inside The Ring with an h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription.
