Matt Riddle recently appeared on Sean Waltman’s “X-Pac 1-2-360” podcast and discussed his transition from MMA to pro wrestling, WWE passing on him last year, going to China and more. You can check out some highlights below:
On working with WWN (MMA promotion based out of China): “WWN MMA. That’s right. I helped put that relationship together. We actually went over to China, talked to the government over there, talked to some government officials. We talked to like, the athletic board I would say and got some fights lined up. We’re going to be on national television in China–first time ever. Pretty big deal. We’re probably going to start doing some pro wrestling shows there that are going to be on national television as well.”
On defeating Jon Jones in high school wrestling: “I did. Actually two different occasions. But Jon Jones, he’s grown up a little bit. I’ve grown up a little bit. I’d still like to challenge him one day, but we’ll see what happens.”
On WWE not signing him last year: “I was still getting emails from Kane and stuff. So I was like, yeah. I think it was right before WrestleMania last year, they hit me up probably a couple months beforehand and they were like, hey Matt, sorry it took so long, but we’re going to take a pass on you. They said, not forever, of course, maybe down the road. But they said, because of your past…we don’t want to take a chance. I was like alright, I completely understand.”
On working with WWN (MMA promotion based out of China): “WWN MMA. That’s right. I helped put that relationship together. We actually went over to China, talked to the government over there, talked to some government officials. We talked to like, the athletic board I would say and got some fights lined up. We’re going to be on national television in China–first time ever. Pretty big deal. We’re probably going to start doing some pro wrestling shows there that are going to be on national television as well.”
On defeating Jon Jones in high school wrestling: “I did. Actually two different occasions. But Jon Jones, he’s grown up a little bit. I’ve grown up a little bit. I’d still like to challenge him one day, but we’ll see what happens.”
On WWE not signing him last year: “I was still getting emails from Kane and stuff. So I was like, yeah. I think it was right before WrestleMania last year, they hit me up probably a couple months beforehand and they were like, hey Matt, sorry it took so long, but we’re going to take a pass on you. They said, not forever, of course, maybe down the road. But they said, because of your past…we don’t want to take a chance. I was like alright, I completely understand.”
