Every Wrestling Rookie Of The Year: Where Are They Now?

7. 2016: Matt Riddle

Essa Rios Lita
WWE.com

Matt Riddle could have been the biggest thing in the industry. An incredible and super legitimate wrestler, he also seemed like a very cool guy. Crowds on the independent scene seemed positively enchanted that he liked to fist-bump them.

He's still a major star in WWE, but the "cool guy who somehow likes you" quality has faded; Riddle was named in #SpeakingOut, mounted a quite idiotic defence of himself, and it's hard to imagine that WWE will ever go all the way in with him. His lifestyle collides badly with the company's values (even if those values are bullsh*t for the optics).

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!