Back in September a number of WWE stars were released following the TKO merger. Matt Riddle happened to be one of the names who got cut, but he has since resurfaced in wrestling working with companies like MLW and NJPW.
Riddle recently appeared on The Kurt Angle Show and he shared his take on why he was released from his WWE contract. The former United States Champion cited several factors for his release including his relationship with Dana White and the amount he was being paid among other things.
“I think that definitely didn’t help things (Riddle responded when asked if WWE-UFC merger sped up his release). I know me and Dana White don’t have the greatest relationship and I know he’s definitely a big part of that and yeah, it definitely played a part. Also, I know they were making budget cuts regardless and I was getting paid quite a pretty penny. I don’t know if it was right before RK-Bro or right after, (John) Laurinaitis pulled me into the office and I thought I was in trouble. I was like, ‘Aww.’ You know, I didn’t get my vaccine yet and I was like, ‘Oh man…’ And went in there, like, ‘Hey, we want to give you a raise’ and they gave me a substantial raise and it increased every year and this year, I was gonna get paid a million a year. I was at 750, and I mean last year, I cleared my bucket.
I did extremely well, so, I think that was a big contributing factor. I was gonna get paid a million dollars starting next year but I also think the merger didn’t help and then also, my behavior didn’t help either and I ruffled some feathers with H.R. in the last couple of months. I was asked a couple questions and this, that, plus other things so, I think there was multiple reasons why they got rid of me but, it is what it is. One door shuts, another door opens and you just learn from your mistakes and stuff. I don’t know.”
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