The Bro Is Here: Matt Riddle Makes His NXT In-Ring Debut

Kyle Fowle
source: WWE

Ever since he was a kid, Matt Riddle has wanted to wrestle a match at WrestleMania. There’s no telling if that’s in his future, but on this week’s episode of NXT, he took his first official steps towards making a name for himself in WWE. You have to start somewhere, and Riddle starts with a dominant, electrifying win over Luke Menzies.

Of course, Riddle is no newbie when it comes to fighting in both the ring and the octagon, like his fellow UFC alum Ronda Rousey. He left a 4-0 undefeated record behind in UFC when he tested positive for marijuana in 2013 and was promptly fired. That set Riddle on the path to the squared circle, putting in the work to improve every year and eventually become a mainstay throughout indie promotions across the country.

Success has followed Riddle, dubbed “The King of Bros,” wherever he goes. He won the PWG Tag Team Championship with Jeff Cobb and has a number of singles titles to his name, including the EVOLVE Championship, the WWN Championship, and the PROGRESS Atlas Championship. Throughout his still-evolving wrestling career, Riddle’s wrestled the likes of Zack Sabre Jr., Minoru Suzuki, former WWE talent James Ellsworth, and NXT’s own Keith Lee.

Now, Riddle is finally where he belongs. He conquered the indies, and he’s here in WWE and NXT to make his mark. His approach to the in-ring work, which is a mix of MMA-style grappling and shows of serious strength and agility, make him a force to be reckoned with. Will he make a substantial impact like former MMA fighter and NXT’s first two-time Women’s Champion Shayna Baszler? Only time will tell, but his first dominant win over Luke Menzies certainly has us itching to see The King of Bros face off against more of the NXT locker room.

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