Matt Riddle made a subtle cameo at NXT Takeover: San Antonio, and it happened by chance.
During the event, WWE United Kingdom Champion, Tyler Bate, was featured in the crowd. In the background of the shot, former UFC fighter, professional wrestler, and Fightful podcast correspondent Matt Riddle can be seen smiling for the camera. He spoke about going to the event on his weekly podcast with Sean Ross Sapp. Going to the event was strictly an impulsive decision for him.
"I was at the wrestling show (Evolve 77), and I kicked that chair into Dustin's head. Then on Twitter, somebody took a video, tagged me in it and was like 'sweet kick in the head'. So I followed him and retweeted it and said 'thanks', you know whatever. He came up to my merch table, and he's like 'Bro, just to let you know I have an extra ticket for Takeover , if you wanna go I've got some floor seats. And I'm like 'why not?,' " said Riddle.
The fan who gave him a ticket, named Mike, can be seen in the crowd pointing at Riddle. It was a huge series of coincidences that led to Riddle's cameo. He says it was simply an opportunity he couldn't pass up.
"So we went there, I was just there to enjoy the show. I've never been to a live NXT event and it's been a long time to any WWE related event, since I was like, a kid. It was good, great show. I saw Tyler Bate come up and they pop the camera on him. I'm like 'come on.' So I popped up, did the thumbs up, did the 'Bro!'. Then I said I was gonna whoop his ass cause I'm wrestling him this weekend for OTT. But I think the camera cut off as I was pointing down at him saying I was gonna whip his ass," said Riddle
The moment passed quickly, but Riddle says he was trending on twitter afterwards and his phone was being bombarded with notifications and texts. Riddle has tried out for NXT before but did not get signed. He has only been wrestling for nearly two years and says he has a lot of room for improvement.
Riddle is featured every week on the Fightful Wrestling podcast on Thursday afternoons. Fightful members gain access to the podcast immediately. Membership is free. The podcast is also available in audio on Itunes and Sticher.
