With the recent launch of their much anticipated summer range proving to be a success, professional wrestling clothing and lifestyle brand Suplex (SPLX) Wrestling are enjoying life right now.

Donny van de Beek slams Man Utd teammates after losing debut vs Crystal Palace

This month we’ll be speaking to four of their athletes, including the latest addition to their team, former UFC fighter Matt Riddle.

The 31-year-old has become one of the talked about wrestlers on the planet since his debut in 2015, and has enjoyed comparisons to the likes of Kurt Angle as a result of his fast rise to the top and in-ring prowess.

Riddle talked to Metro Sport about his affiliation with SPLX, his potential future in WWE, and why he’s not the biggest fan of UFC President Dana White.




Matt, you’re wrestling in the UK seemingly every other week at the moment. Why do you think you’re so popular over here?

I really don’t know, because when I fought in UFC, every time I came over here I’d get spit on and get called nasty names! The first time I came back here as a pro wrestler was in November, and there was a completely different reaction.

Here in the UK they appreciate hard work and athleticism, and I bring all of that to the table, so it’s a good fit.

You’re a relaxed character, so how do you deal with the reputation you’ve earned so fast in wrestling?

The reason why is the same reason I’m as good as I am, because I am who I am and I stay true to myself. A lot of these other guys are characters that don’t exist in any world let alone our world, so I think it’s hard for fans to connect with those people.

When you have a guy like me who’s a former UFC fighter and who is basically a normal guy who can do exceptional things, that connects with people rather than some random Viking who can also do exceptional things.

A lot of MMA fighters have attempted to become involved in wrestling, but few have succeeded. Why are you different?

The difference is that I’ve always been a huge fan and always wanted to get into professional wrestling. I just never thought I was big enough or that the opportunity was there.

A lot of fighters think it’s going to be easier than MMA and I can tell you this right now, it’s not that the training is harder or you that have to cut weight in pro wrestling, but you have to connect with an audience.

It doesn’t matter if you’re the best wrestler in the world and can do every move perfectly, if you don’t connect with the crowd or sell well or have good promos, nobody cares.

People can see through bullshit. When people watch WWE and they hear a guy like Roman Reigns quoting Jack and the Beanstalk, they know he is not speaking from the heart.



That’s why I like the indies, because I like being who I am. I get to be who I am in the ring, on the microphone, everywhere, it’s great. I never have to get out of character because I am Matthew Riddle.

You’re asked this question a lot, but is the main reason you’re not in WWE right now because you simply don’t fancy it at the moment?

It’s not that I don’t fancy it, WWE is the biggest company in the world for professional wrestling. At the end of the day, that’s where everybody wants to be, but some people get there sooner.

The thing is, once you’re working for them, you’re limited. I use the example of movies a lot. If you make an independent movie, you hire your actors and do everything. It’s lower budget but it’s your product. Your ideas.

When you go to a bigger studio, they’ll give you more money but they’ll say a sponsor has to be in the movie or a certain actor has to be involved. The story you were telling is now an altered one.

Something I love about indies is that I get to tell my story. There might be a different outcome, but before, during and after the match I tell the story my way.

Do you think there can be a perfect relationship if you do end up in WWE?

Yes. Look at AJ Styles or Kevin Owens, you build up your credentials in other places and then you get to the big stage.


If you’ve done a good enough job there’s no question. I’d really like to go to WWE and be one of the main guys, get right to the main roster and have a push right away.

Riddle has taken over the wrestling world. (Photo: Oli Sandler http://www.ringsideperspective.com)

Does that mean you’re not interested in NXT?

I wouldn’t even mind having to go to NXT but it’d have to be that I’m fighting for the title right away. And it makes sense. I’m a former UFC fighter killing it on the indies and I’m a stud.

Even when I cut a promo on William Regal in the ring, I didn’t even tell him I was going to do it. I just told him, why aren’t you hiring me, look at me! Just look at me, you hire these people but you’re not talking to me? You’re crazy.

Any names in particular you don’t think should have been hired?

With wrestling, everybody always asks what they can do to get signed or how can they get over. There’s no right or wrong answers, that’s why I think the best thing you can do is be yourself.

Decide which of your traits and characteristics are going to stand out to people, and take advantage of that. It’s the same with WWE because they have John Cena who is a legitimate Superman and a machine.

And then they have James Ellsworth on the same payroll. So you have James Ellsworth and John Cena. If you look at them side by side and look at everything, one guy shouldn’t be collecting a cheque but he is.


Nothing against Ellsworth, but if you’re looking at picture-perfect that’s what everybody should be like, everybody should be like John Cena. Jacked, a machine, get up at 5am go to bed at 2am, but that’s not how it works.

And the fans can’t all connect with Superman. Some people are James Ellsworth, nothing wrong with that.

Everywhere you go you’re always wearing SPLX apparel. What does it mean to you to be a member of their team?

It’s cool clothes sure, but that’s not the main reason why I wanted to be on the team or why I’m on there.

It means something to be part of Team SPLX, it legitimately means that you’re one of the best wrestlers in the world.

You don’t get on this team unless you’re on a higher level. It’s like wrestling for PWG or Revolution Pro or anywhere else, it’s the credibility.

SPLX has done more for me just by being a brand on my back than I could probably ever do for them, but at the same time we help each other.

I wanted to be on the team the minute I saw them, because I looked at the guys on there and thought if I was also one of the best in the world I’d get on there.

Riddle’s new SPLX shirt

How happy are you that you’re no longer in UFC?

I’m so happy. After I was released I was trying to find fights in other companies, and one day I came to a conclusion. I couldn’t get any fights, but I thought wait, if I keep fighting, I’m just going to end up fighting back in UFC, so what was I doing? I was going to work hard just to end up back where I hated?

And since I left there’s been the corporate takeover and the Reebok sponsorships and Dana White being the biggest dickhead ever.

It’s true, I’ve said it before but he’s such an asshole man. I don’t know how someone can have that much money and be in the position of power and control… Well I guess that’s why. It’s unreal to me.

On top of that, he runs a company with the world’s most dangerous men fighting in it. He runs a cagefighting company!

Do you think he’s disrespectful?

Extremely. I’ve heard him say very offensive things. He’s said things to me, called me an effing loser, and that he didn’t know how I could take care of my kids.

Yeah I’m such a loser that I went from one sport where I was ranked top ten in the world and went to another sport where I’m one of the best in the world.

That’s what losers usually do Dana.

What are your general thoughts on how UFC is at the moment?

It’s unfortunate the way the company is going, because at one point there was a lot of progress.

Money and power just got to them. When I first got to UFC there was a different atmosphere. Even before the takeover. About four years into my time there, they cleared out the entire office.

Why? Because everyone was up for new contracts. Not only did all of them get fired, they all had to sign a non-compete clause so they couldn’t sign for Bellator or World Series of Fighting or anywhere else.

Basically everyone in the UFC office got fired, and then they hired a bunch of interns for free. Then I got fired, and the week before Dana had said he would never fire anyone on a win streak, even if it was one win, they could murder somebody and he wouldn’t do it.

Well I guess smoking pot is worse than murder, because he fired my ass in a heartbeat. I’m very happy right now, I get to live my life, see my family all the time. It’s great.

Finally, in happier MMA news, you’re scheduled to face another fighter in Tom Lawlor later this year in a pro wrestling match. What are your thoughts on Tom, and the match in general?

Tom Lawlor is killing it, everything I see I like, I wrestle him in September and it should be good.

I like him, I’ve trained with him in Vegas and he’s a nice guy. We have a similar attitude, but he’s a little more comedic than me especially when it comes to the wrestling.

He has it, I’ve seen what he can do and he has potential. But the one thing is, we’ve seen many MMA fighters get into pro wrestling and then get out.

I looked on Twitter and he posted his schedule and it included our match. It was six matches for August, September and beyond. I’m thinking to myself, I’ve had six matches this weekend!

Until you pick up that workrate and start getting booked everywhere It’s hard. I don’t know whether it’s his fee, or what, there could be a plethora of reasons for it.

So there’s a difference between getting some recognition and doing wrestling, and then being one of the biggest stars in independent wrestling.

Click here to explore SPLX’s summer range, including Matt Riddle’s Sport Wrestling t-shirt.