Released Star Claims He Was Going To Make $1 Million Per Year On WWE Deal Before Release

WWE

Former WWE Raw Tag Team Champion Matt Riddle claims he was going to make $1 million per year on WWE deal before his release.

On September 21, Matt Riddle was released from WWE under a cloud of controversy as part of budget cuts made following the TKO merger. Three months later, Riddle became a free agent and has hit the ground running with appearances for MLW and NJPW.

Appearing on The Kurt Angle Show, Matt Riddle reflected on his WWE release and was asked whether the TKO merger played a factor. He answered:

“I think that definitely didn’t help things (Riddle responded when asked if WWE-UFC merger sped up his release).”

“I know me and Dana White don’t have the greatest relationship and I know he’s definitely a big part of that and yeah, it definitely played a part.”

“Also, I know they were making budget cuts regardless and I was getting paid quite a pretty penny. I don’t know if it was right before RK-Bro or right after, (John) Laurinaitis pulled me into the office and I thought I was in trouble.”

Riddle continued on to explain how different talks led to his WWE release, saying:

“I was like, ‘Aww.’ You know, I didn’t get my vaccine yet and I was like, ‘Oh man…’ And went in there, like, ‘Hey, we want to give you a raise’ and they gave me a substantial raise and it increased every year and this year, I was gonna get paid a million a year.”

“I was at 750, and I mean last year, I cleared my bucket. I did extremely well, so, I think that was a big contributing factor.”

“I was gonna get paid a million dollars starting next year but I also think the merger didn’t help and then also, my behavior didn’t help either and I ruffled some feathers with H.R. in the last couple of months.”

“I was asked a couple questions and this, that, plus other things so, I think there was multiple reasons why they got rid of me but, it is what it is.”

“One door shuts, another door opens and you just learn from your mistakes and stuff. I don’t know.”

Matt Riddle will challenge Hiroshi Tanahashi for the NJPW World TV Championship on February 23 at NJPW New Beginning in Sapporo.

Transcription via POST Wrestling

Want to stay up to date with all the most important Wrestling and WrestleTalk News? Join our newsletter mailing list by clicking here, and selecting your preferences!

• Release
• Matt Riddle
• wwe

Share this article with friends