Underground robot fights would have been a key part of Matt Riddle’s infamous segment with Asuka had things not gone awry.
During a March 2021 episode of RAW, Riddle began speaking with Asuka backstage before admitting that he’d forgotten what he was saying.
During a virtual signing with “Signed By Superstars,” Riddle was asked about the promo which clearly did not go to plan. He said,
“Let’s talk about that promo. One, usually when they go live, they tell you. Sometimes, you go through a couple of rehearsals beforehand. I had the scooter, they gave it to me and said, ‘We don’t want to see you. Go 20 yards that way and roll down.’ I rolled down, and I didn’t know it was live TV.
“The promo they originally had was me talking about how I had been to Japan before, which I hadn’t, and how I would go to underground robot fights and I was going to ask Asuka if scooters would be a big hit in Japan. Yeah, I forgot everything. I forgot everything when I rolled up.
“I scoot back to the locker room. Me and Randy [Randy Orton] didn’t really talk, I guess Randy didn’t really like me when I first started working there because I am who I am. Randy comes up to me and goes, ‘I don’t know if that shit was planned, but that was your best promo yet.’”
Riddle was released from WWE in September 2023. He has since joined MLW and is set to make his in-ring debut for NJPW next month.
You can keep up with all your wrestling news right here on eWrestlingNews.com. Or, you can follow us over on our Twitter and Facebook pages.
Matt Riddle, a former WWE superstar, recently opened up about a memorable promo segment with Asuka that didn’t go as planned. The incident occurred during a live episode of RAW in March 2021, where Riddle forgot his lines and caused some confusion.
In a virtual signing with “Signed By Superstars,” Riddle explained the situation. He revealed that usually, when they go live, the performers are informed beforehand. However, in this case, he was given a scooter and instructed to roll down a certain distance without being seen. Riddle didn’t realize it was live TV and forgot his lines when he approached Asuka.
The original plan for the promo was for Riddle to talk about his experience in Japan, including attending underground robot fights. He was supposed to ask Asuka if scooters would be popular in Japan. Unfortunately, due to his forgetfulness, he couldn’t deliver the intended lines.
After the segment, Riddle returned to the locker room where he encountered Randy Orton. Initially, Orton didn’t have a positive opinion of Riddle, but he approached him and praised the promo, saying it was Riddle’s best yet.
Since his departure from WWE in September 2023, Riddle has joined Major League Wrestling (MLW) and is set to make his in-ring debut for New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) next month.
The incident serves as a reminder that even experienced performers can have their moments of forgetfulness or mishaps during live shows. It also highlights the importance of adaptability and being able to recover from unexpected situations in the world of professional wrestling.
For more wrestling news and updates, you can visit eWrestlingNews.com or follow their Twitter and Facebook pages.
In conclusion, Matt Riddle’s promo mishap with Asuka during a live episode of RAW showcased the unpredictable nature of professional wrestling and the need for performers to think on their feet. Despite the unexpected turn of events, Riddle received positive feedback from Randy Orton and continues to pursue his wrestling career in other promotions.