WWE confirms Matt Riddle’s call-up to SmackDown
Matt Riddle is officially joining the SmackDown roster.
It was confirmed on tonight’s SmackDown that Riddle is coming to the brand. Kurt Angle made an appearance in a backstage segment on the show and announced the news. Angle said he was there to announce the next superstar that’s going to become the next face of SmackDown.
Angle said Riddle is someone who he’s gotten to know over the past few months and has a very bright future, and he even got to see Riddle up close and personal when he refereed Riddle’s last match in NXT. A video then aired hyping up Riddle’s arrival.
With Angle as the special guest referee, Timothy Thatcher defeated Riddle in a “cage fight” in the main event of NXT this week.
Dave Meltzer reported earlier this week that Riddle’s call-up to the main roster was imminent and he was likely headed to SmackDown.
After transitioning to pro wrestling following his career in the UFC, Riddle won Rookie of the Year in the 2016 Wrestling Observer Newsletter Awards. He signed with WWE and joined NXT in 2018.
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.