Matt Riddle to compete on February NJPW tour in Japan
Matt Riddle is headed to Japan next month to compete on an NJPW tour.
Dave Meltzer reports that Riddle will be wrestling on NJPW’s February tour in Japan, which consists of New Beginning events. This will be the first time that Riddle has ever wrestled in Japan.
At NJPW New Year Dash earlier this week, a video aired where Riddle issued a challenge to Hiroshi Tanahashi. Riddle said he’ll be seeing Tanahashi soon. Tanahashi is the current NJPW World Television Champion.
Matt Riddle(@SuperKingofBros) has issued a huge challenge to Hiroshi Tanahashi at New Year Dash!
Watch Free⏩https://t.co/CeQLGjTmZ5#njdash #NJPW #njpwworld pic.twitter.com/4yGL2ePDhe
— NJPW WORLD (@njpwworld) January 5, 2024
Riddle is set to make his NJPW debut at Battle in the Valley on Saturday, January 13, teaming with a mystery partner against Zack Sabre Jr. & Bad Dude Tito. That show is taking place in San Jose, California.
Riddle was released from his WWE contract last September shortly after being involved in an incident at JFK Airport in New York City. His release came during a round of roster cuts after WWE was officially acquired by Endeavor.
At MLW Kings of Colosseum tonight (January 6), Riddle will have his first post-WWE match. He’s wrestling Jacob Fatu at the show.
Riddle said last month that wrestling in Japan was on his bucket list for 2024.
Joseph Currier is the lead editor of F4WOnline.com, directing daily news coverage and writing articles on professional wrestling. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, obtaining a journalism degree in 2016. Joseph joined F4W during his time at UMass and has now been writing about the industry for nearly a decade.
In addition to his work with F4W, Joseph has previously contributed to Sports Illustrated's wrestling coverage. He lives in Massachusetts and is a diehard fan of the Boston sports teams and Liverpool Football Club.