Released WWE Star Claims He Was Going To Win Royal Rumble 2022

Supposedly, one of WWE's most imposing wrestlers stood up and nixed the idea.

by Andy H Murray
Matt Riddle
WWE.com

Matt Riddle has claimed he was originally going to win WWE's 2022 Royal Rumble - until Brock Lesnar stepped in.

The released former Tag Team Champion said as much during a recent signing session with Signed by Superstars. In Riddle's words, he was told he was going to win the 2022 men's Rumble at one stage, but this changed when Bobby Lashley defeated Lesnar earlier in the show, before Lesnar returned to win the Rumble.

Riddle claimed that Lesnar entered the Rumble and "didn't want to do business with everybody." Nobody stood up to the former UFC Heavyweight Champion - including Riddle.

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These are Riddle's words. Whether or not you choose to believe them is now up to you.

Post-Rumble 2022, Lesnar ended up regaining the WWE Title he lost to Lashley, doing so at Elimination Chamber a few weeks later. He then advanced to WrestleMania 38, where, on the Sunday, Universal Champion Roman Reigns defeated Lesnar to unify the WWE and Universal Championships.

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WWE released Riddle in September 2023, doing so amidst multiple controversies surrounding the former RKO-Bro man, who has since debuted for NJPW.

 
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Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. 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.