Can Matt Riddle Break The WWE Main Roster Curse?

Adam Cole NA Title
WWE

His 2018 matches with Will Ospreay were among the best in arguably wrestling's best ever in-ring year. Using his opponent’s battered neck as a suspenseful and harrowing narrative driver, or simply putting down his warp speed aerial attacks with his own brutal striking game in ultra-heated advancements of the ever-evolving pro wrestling art, Riddle is no one-dimensional performer. He’s as over as anybody before he even steps foot in the ring, but expresses an ambition within it belying his carefree disposition.

Matt Riddle is NXT-bound, and he is virtually guaranteed to succeed on the yellow brand. He gets over everywhere.

A prospective NXT run promises something very special. Adam Cole presents himself as the coolest man in the room. That’s the heat, and a programme between the King and the pretender would provoke Cole into a response that allows him to showcase his incredible range of flustered facials. Riddle Vs. Tommaso Ciampa is money. Ciampa would have to do some sick sh*t, even by his standards, to engage the breezy Riddle in psychological warfare. Riddle Vs. The Velveteen Dream could light up the Orlando power grid in itself, there is so much star power radiating from both men.

But an NXT run is not the issue.

It never is.

CONT'D...(2 of 4)

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Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!