Former WWE champions accused of being “difficult to work with” by controversial wrestler
Controversial wrestling star calls out top WWE superstars for being hard to work with after being released by WWE in 2023.
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Matt Riddle calls Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn hard to work with (via WWE)
Matt Riddle is one of the most controversial wrestlers of the current generation. He was apparently abhorred by a lot of talent backstage, and several superstars allegedly outright refused to work with him. However, it appears that the 39-year-old has made this claim against two other superstars, Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens.
During a recent interview with Going Ringside, Riddle was asked who was the toughest opponent he ever faced in WWE. The former United States Champion said that Sheamus was the hardest opponent in the ring that he had ever worked with. While he was easy to work with, he hit the hardest during their bouts. In fact, this statement has often been attested to by people like Bobby Lashley as well.
However, when talking about people who were hard to work with, Matt Riddle named Zayn and Owens. He even said that it was hard to put together a full sentence while working with those guys, and it was very difficult to work alongside them.
But, then when I think about who’s harder to maybe work with, I would have to say Sami Zayn or Kevin Owens… It’s hard to put a complete sentence together with those guys if you know what I’m saying… Very difficult.
Matt Riddle speaking with Going Ringside
Matt Riddle says he found Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens difficult to work with
— Vick (@Vick_8122) March 17, 2025
“It’s hard to put a complete sentence together with those guys if you know what I’m saying.”pic.twitter.com/8gYZRP0S8Z
Riddle has worked with the former Tag Team Champions multiple times. In fact, he was their ally while the two Canadians were feuding with the Bloodline. He often helped them even the odds against The Usos and Solo Sikoa. These three even teamed up for a 6-man tag match at Backlash 2023. He has also faced Sami Zayn in a singles match during an episode of Raw in 2022.
Vince Russo speculates why Matt Riddle called Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn hard to work with
Needless to say, this statement by Matt Riddle shocked the entire wrestling world. No other WWE superstar has ever made a comment about either Sami Zayn or Kevin Owens being hard to work with. Instead, they are often described as some of the most pleasant people backstage. What made this statement even harder to believe is the fact that it was coming from one of the most controversial wrestlers in today’s day and age.
Speaking on Legion of Raw, Vince Russo speculated why Riddle made these comments. He was shocked to hear that the former MMA fighter would rather work with Sheamus, someone who is infamous for hitting his opponents hard in the ring. However, he somehow had a problem working with the former Tag Team Champions.
He’d much rather work with Sheamus than go over a match with Sami and Kevin Owens. What is it? Because they want to get in a billion spots. That’s exactly what he’s talking about.
Vince Russo on Legion of Raw
Russo believed that Owens and Zayn were the type of people who wanted to include a ‘billion spots’ in their match. This means that they often utilized high-risk action sequences in their match, regardless of whether they were facing each other or teaming up together. He believed that this often took away the spotlight from the former MMA fighter. This is probably why he made the comment about not getting in a word while working alongside them.
Kevin Owens makes his first appearance since Elimination Chamber to interfere in Randy Orton’s match
Randy Orton wrestled his first match in months on the latest episode of SmackDown against Carmelo Hayes. The Viper landed his signature RKO on his opponent, and won by pinfall. He went for a handshake after the match, but the former NXT Champion showed him attitude. The wrestling veteran dropped him, and was about to go for a punt kick.
Right as he was about to land his devastating move, Kevin Owens showed up out of nowhere. The 40-year-old had not been seen on WWE TV since his brutal unsanctioned match at Elimination Chamber against Sami Zayn. The Prizefighter pulled Hayes out of the ring, and Orton started chasing after his rival. However, the Canadian was able to get away in time.
Just a few weeks prior, Orton had made his return to WWE at the Elimination Chamber after months of being on the shelf following a devastating piledriver. Owens continued to brutalize Zayn even after the match had ended, and the Apex Predator showed up to RKO him. However, right as he was about to go for his punt kick, they were separated by security.
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