Riddle Confirms He Had Heat In WWE For Recent Roman Reigns Comments

Riddle has confirmed he had heat backstage within WWE for his recent comments about Roman Reigns.

Riddle said during an interview in late August that the Universal Champion was "not moving needles", shortly after Reigns claimed CM Punk did not move the needle like The Rock did.

Riddle stated: "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."

Reports following the interview noted Riddle "ruffled some feathers" with his comments and The Original Bro has now confirmed he garnered heat backstage for criticising Reigns.

"I'll comment on that briefly, I'm not trying to rub anybody the wrong way or say anything [wrong], but I made some comments [and] I'll say this: I think they were all factual, just so you know. Kind of like I said, [I am] kind of telling the truth here. But I think, maybe, even if they were factual, they weren't the most professional things to say, especially with me being on the Raw brand and him being on SmackDown," Riddle told the International Business Times.

"I'm not even in that realm of competing with the Tribal Chief. He's on another level at this moment. I think maybe I got a little too big for my britches, you know what I mean? Maybe I got a little backstage heat. Maybe a tiny bit. Unfortunately, I said some things that some people may not have liked and I'm not going to mention names, but they didn't like it. I won't say it again. I get it," he continued.

"Right now, all hail the Tribal Chief. Good for Roman [Reigns]. Acknowledge him. Everybody, acknowledge him, okay? That's all I'm saying."

While Roman Reigns competes on SmackDown, Riddle is currently one-half of the Raw Tag Team Champions with Randy Orton as RK-Bro.