WWE star Matt Riddle recently did an interview with RondaRousey.com to discuss several professional wrestling topics. “The Original Bro” revealed which matches he has yet to have in NXT that he wants, who he’d like to face on the main roster, and who inspired him in the world of professional wrestling.
Here are the highlights:
Is there a match that you haven’t had in NXT yet that you’re really looking forward to?
I would say, the match I’m really psyched on and I don’t know if it’ll ever happen… But I feel like I couldn’t wrestle [him] on the indies … he left right before I got there. And now I feel like I should wrestle [him] but we always have teamed: That would be Johnny Gargano.
I never, never wrestled him. Never touched. Never locked. Never locked the horns. I don’t even think we’ve played in the ring.
I think I’ve shaken his hand, that’s about it. And talked to him. Other than that, we have done nothing.
Wow, I didn’t even realize that until just now. But on the main roster—besides Brock Lesnar—who do you really want to wrestle?
Well, I mean, there’s so many people. But I would say, Cesaro’s been up there. His athleticism and style, you know, [basically] that’s what I’m into. And then like an AJ Styles, Andrade, Finn Balor—I mean, the list goes on. The main roster has a ton of talent. But it’s just a matter of getting the opportunity and the right amount of time. You know how it goes.
Of course. As for the past of the business, what were the matches and who were the wrestlers that ultimately inspired you to actually become a pro wrestler?
I don’t know if it was specific wrestlers but it was specific matches. Maybe like Bret Hart/Shawn Michaels‘s Ironman match. That match, how competitive it was, how hard they went, the reactions from the crowd.
And then, guys like Jerry Lynn and Rob Van Dam, the competitive matches they’ve had. It’s just the sequences and everything. … I mean, there’s others. … Kurt Angle’s another one. I just like people that bring in a very competitive mentality to pro wrestling.
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