WWE Hall of Famer Booker T has delivered a blunt assessment of Matt Riddle’s future, stating he believes the controversial star has already peaked in the pro wrestling world. The commentary comes as Riddle continues to generate headlines for his conduct outside of the ring.
Speaking on his Hall of Fame podcast, Booker T clarified that his take is based on Riddle’s perceived lack of respect for the industry’s traditions. “I never had any beef with Matt Riddle or anything like that. But I did say I did not think this guy was going to make it in this business,” Booker said. “I just didn’t think Matt Riddle respected the business enough to make it to the next level.”
He pointed to Riddle’s history of generating backstage heat with top names as a clear indicator of a misplaced focus. “When you get heat with guys like Brock Lesnar, you’re on the wrong track. And you just don’t understand the business more than anything,” he stated, also referencing Riddle’s past comments about Goldberg.
Background on Riddle’s Recent Controversy
Booker T’s pointed critique follows a recent incident where Riddle no-showed a charity event for the UK-based promotion Global Wrestling Kingdom (GWK) on August 31. After Riddle took to social media to blame the promotion, GWK released a detailed statement refuting his claims. The promotion provided a timeline showing flights were approved in April and that Riddle became unresponsive before accepting other bookings in the U.S. for the same weekend.
Booker T’s public critique frames the GWK situation not as an isolated incident, but as part of a pattern of behavior that could define Riddle’s post-WWE career.
For now, the promotion has confirmed that Riddle has returned his deposit and given his word to reimburse their expenses.