Matt Riddle defeats NJPW legend to capture his first championship in debut match

Matt Riddle wins NJPW Television title at New Beginning In Sapporo.

Matt Riddle defeats NJPW legend to capture his first championship in debut match

Matt Riddle (via NJPW1972)

Last year, WWE made the decision to release Matt Riddle due to his involvement in controversies. However, this setback didn’t hinder Riddle’s passion for wrestling. He continued to pursue his career, wrestling for various independent promotions. Recently, Riddle achieved a significant milestone by winning the title at NJPW against Hiroshi Tanahashi.

In a match that left the NJPW fans on the edge of their seats, Matt Riddle made an unforgettable debut in singles competition by clinching the coveted NJPW World Television Championship. The match began with a deliberate pace as Tanahashi and Riddle engaged in a grappling exchange, culminating in The Ace dropping Riddle with a springboard crossbody from the middle rope.

YouTube video

The action spilt to the outside, where they traded heavy shots, and Riddle gained the upper hand with a massive Floating Bro corkscrew senton. Back in the ring, they continued to exchange strikes, with Riddle dominating many of the encounters. Tanahashi attempted a diving crossbody from the top rope but was caught by a knee strike from Riddle, halting his momentum. The two traded pins until Riddle shocked everyone with a BroStone piledriver, becoming the new NJPW World Television Champion.

FS Video

Kicking off his NJPW career with a bang, Matt Riddle’s victory marks a significant milestone, being his first major title win since departing from WWE. This win not only solidifies his standing in the promotion but also establishes him as a force to be reckoned with in the NJPW landscape.

Matt Riddle breaks silence after the title win

After the high-intensity, fast-paced match and his victory in winning the NJPW World Television title against Tanahashi, the King of Bros was quick to share his excitement. He took to social media to express his gratitude and enthusiasm for this new chapter in his career.

Matt Riddle vs Hiroshi Tanahasi
Matt Riddle vs Hiroshi Tanahasi (via NJPW1972)

Following his triumph in the ring, Riddle took to X to share a photo of his championship victory. Accompanying the image was a caption expressing his gratitude and excitement, proclaiming himself as the new Television Champion and thanking everyone for their support and love.

The King of Bros is back on top and your new Television Champion! Thank you everyone for supporting me and showing me love
Matt Riddle via X

After celebrating his victory, Riddle wasted no time in looking for his next challenge. He extended an invitation to Zack Sabre Jr. to challenge for the title, but Sabre Jr. declined, opting for longer title matches instead. However, Sabre Jr. hinted that a member of TMDK might show interest in the opportunity.

In case you missed it :