Matt Striker says he'll be better.
Matt Riddle wrestled his first match since his WWE release at MLW Kings of Colosseum on January 6. Matt Striker was on commentary for the match, and he defended Riddle throughout, questioning how any company could release Riddle, no matter what he did, and said that the court of public opinion does not convict.
Riddle had been off WWE television after he accused an officer at JFK airport of sexual harassment in an Instagram post that he deleted on September 10. According to reports, Port Authority officers got a call for a disorderly person who was deplaning, and they met him in the terminal. Riddle was reportedly the disorderly person in question. An internal investigation was launched at that time. Riddle also reportedly failed a WWE drug test and went to rehab in December 2022. In the summer of 2020, Riddle was accused of sexually assaulting female independent wrestler Candy Cartwright. Riddle denied the allegation. A lawsuit was filed in October 2020 by Cartwright, but dropped in July 2021.
Striker: "Let's talk about the elephant in the room: The court of public opinion would like to see Jacob Fatu slap the taste out of Matt Riddle's mouth. But the court of public opinion does not convict. I'm sorry, I know it's the world in which we live, but it's not the case." https://t.co/kfolH2mva6 pic.twitter.com/etw1Wt9Sjb
— Babyface v. Heel (@BabyfacevHeel) January 7, 2024
Taking to social media, Striker initially defended his commentary by saying he was playing a character. He later said he was wrong and tone deaf.
Playing a character isn't always easy but getting the desired and necessary reaction is. Sorry.
— M@ (@MLBMattStriker) January 7, 2024
I play a heel (bad guy) character in wrestling. It's my job to raise the fan's ire and their job to have their ire raised.
— M@ (@MLBMattStriker) January 7, 2024
Tonight, we ALL did our jobs. It's a symbiotic relationship.
With that said, please remember, that it's a character. my job is to get you to react
I've given this a lot of thought. Could not sleep.
— M@ (@MLBMattStriker) January 7, 2024
My critics are right.
I was wrong. Tone deaf.
Trying to use the guise of art or character portrayal is self preservation. Thank you to those that shone light on this.
It is now on me to stand in that light.
I will be better
MLW and Riddle have no commented.
Riddle was victorious in the main event of MLW Kings of Colosseum, submitting Jacob Fatu.
Fans can find results from MLW Kings of Colosseum by clicking here.
