Matt Riddle Addresses WWE ‘Backstage Heat’ Rumors

Matt Riddle agrees that he might have some heat in WWE but it’s with wrestlers that can’t take a joke — not with his bosses.

Riddle recently spoke with Gary Cassidy for Sportskeeda and he addressed the rumors that he had some backstage heat for his behavior in WWE. According to Riddle, he doesn’t have any heat with management but agrees that he might rub some of the talent the wrong way.

“I’ll tell you this. Do I have heat with WWE or NXT, or the people that run the show? No. Do I have heat with some people who think I’m disrespectful at times because they don’t understand how business works? Yes. Do people take things too seriously? Yes.

And honestly, I’ve had to give talks at NXT, it’s not like I stopped the place, but it’s like, interjecting. I’m like, ‘Hey. I’m going to tweet or say something that offends you. Realize I’m not trying to actually offend you, I’m just trying to make people think I am.’ I’m putting out an image, a facade, you know?

If I talk a certain amount of trash, people are like, ‘Oh, man, that guy’s uncontrollable, he does what he wants.’ You know what I’m saying? I’m doing the job, I’m in the business I’m in. I’m a tag champ, I was in the Rumble, so how does this guy have so much nuclear heat?

I was in Vince McMahon‘s office just three weeks ago, before this thing broke out. I was in headquarters talking to him – and, yeah, we mentioned the heat I have of certain people but, at the end of the day, he signs the checks, he makes it happen for me and they’re in control, not the talent.

If the employer is happy and I can make them money and make them a profit, and I’m worth my weight and I’m pulling my weight, I don’t see a problem. To answer your question, yes, some people I have heat with. But most of it is just high school, catty, ‘He said this’, people who just can’t take a joke or a work.”

Fans might remember two prior incidents that allegedly resulted in Riddle rubbing people the wrong way. The ‘Bro’ has not been shy about criticizing Goldberg’s (lack of) wrestling skills or wanting to retire Brock Lesnar, and he’s had a run-in with both. WWE ended up airing footage of Riddle and Goldberg’s infamous meeting at Summerslam, and Lesnar allegedly confronted Riddle at the Royal Rumble and said “stop saying my name and tagging me in sh*t because you and I will never work together. Ever.”

Riddle was said to have kept his cool and it didn’t affect his push, but it still led to speculation that his quick Rumble exit was “punishment” for the confrontation.