WWE Rumors: Top Independent Star Heading To WWE?

There’s no question that over the past couple of years the WWE has made a rash of signings, gobbling up some of the top independent stars across the globe as the company continues to expand. One of those names, Matt Riddle, was long thought to be a long shot to sign with the company due to his propensity to indulge in “herbal remedies” in his free time, leaving many fans to wonder if it could ever happen.

According to The Wrestling Observer Newsletter, WWE has now changed their stance on Riddle and is open to bringing him in. Adding fuel to the rumors, Riddle has been scheduled for dates in Ireland on August 18th and 19th for Over The Top Wrestling, but has since cancelled those bookings. Of course, these dates are the same as NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn and SummerSlam at the Barclays Center, leading to talk that he will be debuting that weekend.

The 32-year old former UFC and Bellator MMA fighter has a professional record of 8-3 with two no contests and is also the current Evolve Champion who made his professional wrestling debut at The World Famous Monster Factory on February 7th, 2015. Riddle has also competed for Pro Wrestling Guerrilla, Beyond Wrestling and Progress Wrestling.

EA’s Take: If Riddle is in fact WWE bound and will make an appearance during SummerSlam weekend, then it’s a hell of an accomplishment that it’s been kept under wraps until now. I’m not extremely familiar with his work, but I’ve seen some of it and there’s certainly no denying the guy’s potential. The big question is, what changed? Has WWE decided to not care about his affection for smoking the “wacky tobacky” or has Riddle decided that he can stop in order to make the jump? Things could be getting pretty interesting for NXT in the next few weeks.

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