Backstage Update On Matt Riddle's Continued WWE Absence

Where is WWE's Matt Riddle, whose suspension ended well over a month ago?

Matt Riddle
WWE.com

Matt Riddle appears to currently find himself without a concrete WWE return date despite the 60-day suspension he was served on 13 December 2022 recently coming to an end.

The former UFC fighter has been away from WWE since failing the company's wellness policy for a second occasion in December. Prior to this, Riddle had incurred his first policy violation in the summer, which went unreported. Part of WWE's response to the second saw Matt sent to rehab.

Advertisement

Now, Dave Meltzer has reported on Wrestling Observer Radio that Riddle has been out of rehab for a while, with his suspension elapsing around a month ago. He noted, too, that even though WWE made a point of stating, on television, that Matt would be gone for six weeks, the period has now stretched beyond that.

There is currently no word on when WWE will bring Riddle back to television. While Meltzer assumes he will be back at some stage, the situation could be a consequence of WWE not wanting to use Riddle for WrestleMania 39.

Advertisement

Riddle last wrestled for WWE on the 5 December episode of Raw, teaming with Kevin Owens in a failed Undisputed Tag Team Title attempt.

Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.