10 Live Observations From Attending EVOLVE Wrestling Over WrestleMania Weekend

5. Matt Riddle Has Improved By Leaps And Bounds

Last October, I attended an EVOLVE show in Queens, NY, that featured the company debut of former UFC fighter Matt "Deep Waters" Riddle.

WWE was interested in signing Riddle, but before they put him in NXT, they wanted him to get some experience on the indies. EVOLVE accommodated WWE, strengthening the relationship between the two groups.

On the Queens show, Riddle wrestled Jonathan Gresham and stuck out like a sore thumb. As talented as Gresham is, he couldn't carry Riddle, who looked lost and slow. Riddle picked up the win in a short bout, and he seemed like the worst thing that could happen to EVOLVE.

Six months later, Riddle is like a different wrestler. He uses an MMA-influenced submission-heavy style, but it blends seamlessly into pro wrestling and he can throw a great suplex when the situation calls for it.

Like Brock Lesnar, he uses a style that feels legitimate, but isn't out of place in a wrestling ring. His bouts against Timothy Thatcher and Zack Sabre Jr. this weekend hammered home just how much he's improved.