“I Was in Trouble”: Randy Orton’s Former Partner Reveals Missing Out on a ‘Substantial Salary Raise’ Owing to WWE Roster Release in 2023

The biggest event in the sports entertainment industry was the merger between WWE and UFC back in September 2023. Following the merger, the two combat sports juggernauts came under the leadership of Endeavor. However, with that great news, came some bad news as well. Due to unforeseen circumstances, WWE had to perform some budget cuts that led to many stars being released from the company.

As many stars made their way out of the company, they missed on major increments to their paychecks and Randy Orton‘s former tag team partner Matt Riddle was not able to escape this. The star recently opened up on how he missed out on a big paycheck and he knows what might be the possible reason behind it.

How Randy Orton’s former tag team partner missed on the bag

In a soon-to-be-aired episode of The Kurt Angle Show, Orton’s former tag team partner and WWE’s Original Bro, Matt Riddle talked about how his release from the company stopped him from reaching the million-dollar mark. Riddle stated, “I don’t know if it was right before RKO Bro or right after, Laurinaitis pulled me into the office. I thought I was in trouble. I didn’t get my vaccine yet.” While he was scared as to why he was being called into the office, he further added that it was to discuss a raise.

He said, “It increased every year, and this year, I was gonna get paid a million a year.” Riddle talked about what might be the reason behind his being released from the company following the merger. Talking about how the merger impacted his career, he stated, “Me and Dana White don’t have the greatest relationship and I know he’s definitely a big part of that.”

Riddle shares some history with the UFC president Dana White. The mixed martial artist was a part of the UFC roster before he made his way to the pro wrestling world.

Read More| Matt Riddle Gives Details on His 2024 Plans Concerning Wrestling: “Taking It Day by Day”

While he believes that the merger played a major part in his release, he also stated that a few of his actions might have contributed to that as well.

Matt Riddle talks about his actions at WWE

Further down in the interview, he said, ” I also think, you know, the merger didn’t help, and then also my behavior didn’t help either.” Riddle further talked about how he “ruffled some feathers” at the human resources department a few months before his release. He believes that both the merger and his actions might be the reason why the company decided to “get rid” of him.

While he sounded sad, Riddle is optimistic about his next venture. The star has reportedly joined the New Japan Pro Wrestling roster and soon will have his first fight. Talking about NJPW, he said that he is quite excited about the opportunity as he always wanted to work at the Japanese promotion. What actions do you think Matt Riddle is referring to at WWE that were questionable?

Watch this story: Every WWE Superstar Who Attacked Vince McMahon