Matt Riddle Denies Sexually Assaulting Candi Cartwright, Says She’s Upset He Broke Off Their Affair
Photo Credit: WWE
Matt Riddle says the accusations against him are a fabricated lie and he wants to set the record straight.
Riddle posted a new video on Twitter this morning addressing claims made against him by Samantha Tavel, aka former EVOLVE personality Candy Cartwright. Riddle admits to having a consensual affair with her in the past but says he has never sexually assaulted anyone and her story is a lie based on her being upset that he ended things.
“I never in my life have sexually assaulted a man, woman or anybody and that includes Samantha Tavel, Candy Cartwright. I never sexually assaulted you. That story about that van trip and the driver being asleep and me forcing you to do stuff, hop on, whatever—it’s a complete lie. It’s a fabricated story because you’re still mad. You know why you’re mad? Because, yes, you’re right, we had an affair. You have plenty of evidence of that, and I never denied it because it happened. Do I want to talk about it? Do I really want to share about it? No. It’s embarrassing, I feel like a real piece of crap for cheating on my wife and doing that and now having to talk about it publicly.”
Riddle confirms they had a ‘fling’ but says he got so sad and depressed over hiding the affair from his wife and friends that he came clean and wasn’t proud of himself. Riddle went on to say that Tavel started stalking and harassing him so much that he blocked her on social media and changed his phone number a few times, a claim his wife, Lisa, also made.
Riddle says Tavel was upset about him breaking off their ‘relationship’ and wouldn’t take no for an answer, so she then attempted to ruin his career throughout the Speaking Out movement, and that is unacceptable.
Related: Matt Riddle’s Lawyer Issues Statement, Alleges He’s A Victim Of ‘Cyberstalking’
Wanna know the truth about all these allegations watch this video pic.twitter.com/kW4EQqcugx
— matthew riddle (@SuperKingofBros) July 8, 2020
This is the second time Riddle has addressed Tavel’s allegations publicly; his lawyer also issued a statement on June 19 denying the claims were legitimate. WWE issued an official response to allegations regarding several members of the WWE roster including Jordan Devlin and Riddle, noting the company has a zero-tolerance clause for such matters and that talent will be suspended upon arrest and fired upon conviction.
“Individuals are responsible for their own personal actions,” WWE told WrestleZone. “WWE has zero tolerance for matters involving domestic violence, child abuse and sexual assault. Upon arrest for such misconduct, a WWE talent will be immediately suspended. Upon conviction for such misconduct, a WWE talent will be immediately terminated.
“WWE’s ability to fine, suspend or terminate a WWE talent will not be, however, limited or compromised in any manner in the event incontrovertible evidence of such illegal misconduct is presented to WWE.”
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