WWE has been performing talent cuts and it comes after it was announced on September 21 that NBCUniversal signed Friday Night Smackdown to a five-year deal valued at $1.4 billion.
The company released twenty wrestlers, including talent on the main roster and the developmental brand. It seemed the cuts were done on September 21 but WWE continued to release talent the following day.
Matt Riddle is the latest wrestler to be released by the company. It has been noted that Riddle has also been off TV for two weeks. The former WWE United States Champion shared the news on his Twitter account.
“Just wanted to inform everyone that I’m no longer with WWE. Thank you for the memories and opportunities also thank you to all the fans for the support and love you give me every time I go out to the ring. See you all soon,” wrote Riddle.
Sean Ross Sapp on Fightful Select reported that he was told that Matt Riddle had “burned through” too many chances with WWE.
“Those we’ve spoken to claimed that since then, Riddle was not factored into immediate creative plans. He was doing some grappling training per usual this week, and was said to be in good spirits before his release. However, one WWE higher up said that he burned through too many chances while in WWE.”
The former WWE United States Champion also ran into issues at JFK Airport after he accused a Port Authority officer of sexually assaulting him on Sep. 10. The next day, TMZ released additional information on the situation and revealed that the Port Authority would investigate the issue. It was also reported that the officers got a call about Riddle being disorderly when deplaning and met him at the terminal. It’s unclear if the investigation is still ongoing.
