A number of notable names have worked for WWE over the years, and it’s no big secret that personalities clash from time to time. Matt Riddle was well known for talking trash about stars like Goldberg, and Brock Lesnar. Neither Lesnar nor Goldberg took it well and Riddle’s trash talk inevitably led to a backstage confrontation between Riddle and The Beast Incarnate.
While talking about his backstage altercation with Brock Lesnar on Rewind Recap Relive, Matt Riddle revealed how things played out when Lesnar pulled him aside at the Royal Rumble. The former WWE United States Champion also accused Kevin Owens of being the one who leaked the story about the altercation.
“When I got to the Royal Rumble, I was really excited to get in the ring. All of a sudden a guy grabbed me by the back of the neck as I was walking through the hall. I turn around and it’s Brock Lesnar. I’m like, ‘Hey man, what’s up?’
“Then he pulls me in, he didn’t hurt me or anything, he just grabbed me, and was like, ‘Hey, I just want you to know, we’ll never work. We’ll never get in the ring. Just keep my name out your mouth.’ I’m like, ‘Dude I’m not gonna force you to do anything you don’t want to do, I was just talking trash, but if it got you this worked up, it must’ve worked. So, yeah dude. We never have to wrestle, or touch or anything. If anything you touched me now.’ So that’s exactly how that conversation goes. He goes, ‘Good.’ I was like, ‘Cool.’
“And then I went to the locker room, and I told Kevin Owens. Five minutes later it was on the dirt sheets, so if you’re ever wondering where news is coming from, that guy just loves to spill beans. Hey, hope he gets better too. Sorry about the injury bro, I didn’t do it.”
Kevin Owens has been out of action for almost a year as he announced on the April 4, 2025 episode of SmackDown that he would be sidelined indefinitely due to a neck injury. Owens was originally supposed to face Randy Orton at WrestleMania 41, but was replaced by Joe Hendry. There’s currently no word on when Owens could potentially return to the ring.
If you use any of the quotes from this article please credit Rewind Recap Relive with a H/T to StillRealToUs.com for the transcription.