Matt Riddle reportedly failed a WWE drug test and went to rehab in December 2022. He later returned the following April before being released that September.
While speaking with Ariel Helwani, Riddle confirmed he failed drug tests for cocaine.
“I had two offenses. They didn’t make any of the offenses public. I think they wanted to keep it on the hush hush, which I understand. I got fined. You’re allowed to smoke weed. I went to the strip club and did cocaine a couple times. I failed a drug test for that. That was for all of them, it was cocaine each time. It was just a random night. WWE tests you randomly, any week. Sometimes, you get tested at the end of one month and the beginning of another month. There was one week where I failed bang bang, didn’t know I failed the second one and by the time I failed the first one, I got two at once. I think that’s why they were a little more lenient. ‘We tested you back-to-back, you failed both times.’ I was like, ‘I’ll show you, no more problems, test me for the next ten weeks.’ I did that, I was fine, didn’t fail one test. When I thought I was in the clear, went out, partied a little bit, they gave me a random test at my house, I failed that, and shortly after that, they had me go to rehab.”
Riddle was then asked whether WWE made him go to rehab. He said, “They can’t make you do anything, but it’s ‘go or…’ ‘Okay, I’ll go.’ I went for the 30 days, I left, and when I left, they made a recommendation that they wanted me to stay for another 30 days and I was like, ‘I said I would do 30 days, I don’t want to do another 30 days.’ I missed Christmas and New Year’s. I learned my lesson. Trust me, I don’t go out there and rage it up anymore like that. I learned my lesson. ‘No, we want you to do another 30 days.’ I wanted to test and get my black belt, I had been waiting 10 years. I had some money because RKBro was successful, and I wanted to buy a house. I bought a house, my aunt had cancer, so I went to see her. She’s good now. I was like, ‘Let me do these couple of things before I leave.’ ‘Okay.’ I went, did those, then went back for another 30 days. Got out and I was just waiting. This was a month before WrestleMania. ‘We don’t have anything for you. Maybe Raw After Mania.’ I thought they were going to fire me.”
Former WWE wrestler Matt Riddle has recently opened up about his struggles with drug use and his subsequent stint in rehab. Riddle revealed that he failed multiple drug tests for cocaine during his time with the company.
In an interview with Ariel Helwani, Riddle admitted to having two offenses related to drug use during his tenure with WWE. He stated that the company did not make these offenses public, likely to keep them under wraps. Riddle acknowledged that he was aware of the consequences of his actions and accepted the fines imposed on him.
During the interview, Riddle explained that WWE permits the use of marijuana, but he made the decision to experiment with cocaine on a few occasions. Unfortunately, he failed drug tests for cocaine each time. Riddle emphasized that the drug tests were conducted randomly, sometimes at the end of one month and the beginning of another. He recounted a specific instance where he failed two tests back-to-back, leading to a more lenient response from WWE.
After this incident, Riddle committed himself to proving that he could stay clean and pass drug tests consistently. He agreed to be tested for ten consecutive weeks and successfully passed each test. However, when he believed he was in the clear, he indulged in partying and subsequently failed a random test conducted at his home. This failure prompted WWE to recommend that he seek rehabilitation.
Riddle clarified that WWE could not force him to go to rehab, but they strongly encouraged him to do so. He agreed to a 30-day program but declined their request for an additional 30 days. Riddle expressed regret for missing Christmas and New Year’s while in rehab but emphasized that he had learned his lesson and no longer engaged in such behavior.
Despite completing his initial rehab stint, Riddle’s return to WWE was uncertain. He had personal goals he wanted to achieve before leaving, such as obtaining his black belt in martial arts and purchasing a house. WWE allowed him to fulfill these commitments before returning for another 30-day stint in rehab.
Upon completing his second round of rehabilitation, Riddle eagerly awaited his next opportunity with WWE. However, he was informed that the company did not have any plans for him, and he feared he might be released. Fortunately, he was eventually given a chance to perform on the Raw After WrestleMania.
Riddle’s story serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of drug use and the importance of rehabilitation. It highlights the challenges faced by individuals in the entertainment industry and the support systems that can help them overcome their struggles. Riddle’s honesty and willingness to share his experiences can serve as an inspiration to others who may be facing similar issues.