Report: WWE Kept Matt Riddle Away From Roman Reigns Due To Real-Life Heat

Relations between Roman Reigns and Matt Riddle were so frosty in 2021 that WWE made sure to keep Riddle away from the then-Universal Champion. 

That is according to former WWE host of The Bump Matt Camp who revealed on The Wrestling Matt that WWE made sure not to show Riddle on-screen during a rare Reigns appearance on The Bump in August 2021. 

"[Roman] came on a year and a half later in August of 2021 because he had a partnership with Shady Rays, a sunglasses company, and he did the interview from a house that had an outdoor shower somewhere. He was in full Roman mode. It had been a year. The funny part, a little side part of that show, is that Riddle was the in-studio guest and we 100% did not put Riddle on the set until Roman was gone and off the video screen. Just not going to mess with that," Camp said.

"Then Riddle went and said something dumb about Roman right after that in another interview. Right after that. I think that's where he told the story about writing a letter to Roman, apologising, and Randy told him to do it. We made a point to keep Riddle...we would have those interactions where someone would be in studio and then they'd interact with the guest, whether they were in storyline or not, we'd have some fun stuff with that. We 100% kept Riddle off the set until the Roman interview was done, which was the right call."

Matt Riddle ended up having heat with Roman Reigns following a 2021 interview where he said Roman Reigns was not a needle mover and that he could beat up Reigns in a real fight. 

Riddle stated at the time: 

"No disrespect to Roman, he seems like a swell fella, but at the same time, it's like when people say they're a good parent. You know what? If you were a good parent, your kids would be telling you you're a good parent. When he's saying 'Acknowledge me' or 'I move the needle,' no, you don't. You're related to The Rock. Shut up. Like, I'm not impressed, I can beat you up in a real fight. So, shut your mouth.

"You're not moving needles. I'm the real stallion, RK-Bro is moving the merch, we're moving the needle, and that's it. I don't want to say too much, I'm not trying to get in trouble. Hey, hats off to him. He's amazing at what he does. I do like what he does, but at the same time, it's like, get off your high horse. You're in that spot for a reason. You're not a bro. You're second generation. I'm first generation."

Riddle revealed earlier this year during an appearance on The Bubba Army that Reigns texted him after the interview calling him unprofessional. Riddle then wrote out an apology, only for it to be rewritten by Randy Orton. This only made Reigns angry, though, and Riddle claimed that Reigns called him a "b*tch" the next time they bumped into each other at a WWE house show. 

Roman Reigns and Matt Riddle would ultimately end up working together in the Summer of 2022, feuding over the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship. Reigns would defeat Riddle on the June 17 episode of SmackDown. 

H/T Fightful