Matt Riddle says Brock Lesnar and he have a similar style and it could be used for great matches.
Since beginning his professional wrestling career, Matt Riddle has brought mixed-martial-arts into the squared circle. Riddle has used new moves and his fighting expertise in professional wrestling matches to benefit his style. On Fightful Wrestling's podcast The List and Ya Boy, The former UFC fighter Matt Riddle talked about his professional wrestling style and the style of fellow former UFC fighter Brock Lesnar.
"I think Brock Lesnar is watching my matches and taking notes. It's making him millions," said Riddle.
Riddle then went on to explain his style and was asked if WWE could benefit from more matches with that style. Riddle said a physical style could be part of a spectacular match.
"It's a more physical style. The hits are stronger, the strikes are stronger, and it looks great on television. I feel like for live audiences it's a little harder. But, you add a little bit of 'indy style' in there too, with the hard hitting strikes...you have the best match of all time," said Riddle.
This was not the first time Riddle has admitted to having an eye on Lesnar. In the past, Riddle has said his career goal for professional wrestling would be to not only wrestle Lesnar but retire him at Wrestlemania.
Matt Riddle's @riddletuf7 got some lofty goals BRO! Somebody get @HeymanHustle and his client on the phone. #GrandestStageofthemAll #HSWN pic.twitter.com/2KzywsOVBD
— Highspots Network (@HighspotsWN) January 27, 2017
The style Riddle speaks of comes from his background as a mixed-martial artist in UFC. Other UFC fighters have made their way to professional wrestling including some of Riddle's past opponents like UFC Hall of Famer Dan Severn. Former UFC fighter Shayna Baszler is a finalist in WWE's Mae Young Classic. Former UFC Champion Ronda Rousey was seen at the Mae Young Classic and also had a confrontation with WWE wrestlers. As Fightful reported, Rousey has started professional wrestling training.
With wrestlers like Lesnar, Baszler, and the possibility of Rousey, WWE has seen an increase in wrestlers with a mixed-martial-arts background like Riddle. Last year Riddle had a try-out with WWE. Triple H said he enjoyed what Riddle did during the try-out but Riddle needed to prove himself on the independent wrestling scene.
Also during the podcast, Riddle discussed how he consumes WWE programming. He said he watches Raw, Smackdown, NXT, and Total Divas on Hulu. On Sundays, Riddle has been wrestling or traveling so he misses out on pay-per-views unless another wrestler happens to be watching it. Riddle said he also watches a lot of independent wrestling on their respective streaming services.
Fightful Wrestling podcast The List and Ya Boy is hosted by Fightful founder Jimmy Van and managing editor Sean Ross Sapp. The show often features wrestling personalities like Riddle, Vince Russo, J.J. Dillon, Alex Riley, Ken Anderson, Daivari, DDP and Deonna Purrazzo.
The List and Ya Boy airs Wednesdays at 3 P.M. Eastern on FightfulPods.com.
