Former Tag Team Champion expected to miss out on the Royal Rumble this year
The Royal Rumble will be full of surprises and exciting returns, but due to his suspension, a former United States and Raw tag team champion may miss this year's event.
Seth Rollins curb stomp Matt Riddle at Royal Rumble (via WWE)
The WWE Universe is prepared for some returns and debuts at the Royal Rumble event this Saturday. While it is true that the Premium Live event will bring a bunch of surprises, there is one name who might miss the 30-man match. Matt Riddle, who was suspended last month for violating WWE’s wellness policy, might not return from his suspension in time.
Matt Riddle was written off the TV after a beatdown from Solo Sikoa in December. The next day, reports came out that he had been suspended for the second violation of the company’s wellness policy and sent to rehab. Even after he returned to his home, the Wrestling Observer Newsletter is reporting that he will miss Saturday’s event. According to the Observer, “Riddle was announced as returning in six weeks after the injury angle on 12/12. That would indicate a Rumble return, although if he’s suspended two months, he wouldn’t make that timeline.”
The former US champion announced his return home via Instagram. He posted a photo with his children, saying, “So happy to be back with my family.” The King of Bros also got his black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu training under Daniel Gracie. He shared the news on Instagram with the caption, “Finally got my bjj black belt and I couldn’t be happier, thank you to everyone who has helped and supported me along the way. #bro #danielgracie #wwe #mma #bjj #stallion.” While it was great news to see Matt Riddle bounce back so quickly but the fans will be gutted if he misses the upcoming Royal Rumble match.
Related: “People aren’t happy about it,” Matt Riddle sheds light on suspension rumors
Matt Riddle’s last run with Randy Orton in RK-Bro
Matt Riddle made his main roster debut in June 2020 on the SmackDown brand. After moving to Raw, Riddle lost his first name and won the United States title after a few months, defeating Bobby Lashley. He would eventually form a tag team with Randy Orton after WrestleMania 39. The comical and casual character of Riddle contrasted with the serious and cold attitude of Randy Orton. The duo indulged in various hilarious segments that connected with the fans.
The tag team, known as RK-Bro, would go on to win the Raw tag titles twice. They would eventually lose the title to the SmackDown tag team champions, The Usos, in a unification match. Ever since then, Randy Orton has been out with a back injury and still hasn’t recovered. There are no reports, rumors, or teases of an Orton return for this year’s Royal Rumble. The chances that the Apex Predator would even make it in time for WrestleMania are in doubt.
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Harsh Pandey
(222 Articles Published)