In a recent interview with “Monopoly Events,” NJPW Television Champion Matt Riddle discussed the possibility of competing at this year’s AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door III pay-per-view event.
You can check out some highlights from the podcast below:
On possibly going to Forbidden Door: “You know, people keep saying this ‘Forbidden Door.’ I mean, I was in the bubble in WWE, I guess, so I don’t know what a forbidden door is, well I do. It’s a door you don’t go in, right, it’s forbidden. But I feel like people keep telling me to go through forbidden doors, and I feel like, ‘Guys, I’ve done this before and I get in trouble.’ But no, Forbidden Door, maybe, you know, I don’t know. It’s a great idea. I think anything’s possible. But at the same time, I’m not in a rush. I feel like a lot of people are in a rush.”
On AEW’s roster: “Also, you mentioned, they got a stacked roster. There’s plenty of people that can fill in any gaps, and I personally don’t like to be the guy that comes in and rains on someone else’s parade or takes someone else’s spot as they’re working hard. If the spot’s right, like with New Japan, you got Ospreay leaving, you got Okada leaving, two big names left. Well, Nic Nemeth and Matthew Riddle came in and kind of filled those spots. Not saying we’re going to be those guys, but they’re already moving in that direction, right. So that’s how I kind of look at it. But never say never.”
In a recent interview with Monopoly Events, NJPW Television Champion Matt Riddle discussed the possibility of competing at this year’s AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door III pay-per-view event. Riddle shared his thoughts on the concept of the “Forbidden Door” and expressed his cautious approach to exploring new opportunities.
When asked about the possibility of going through the Forbidden Door, Riddle responded by saying, “You know, people keep saying this ‘Forbidden Door.’ I mean, I was in the bubble in WWE, I guess, so I don’t know what a forbidden door is, well I do. It’s a door you don’t go in, right, it’s forbidden. But I feel like people keep telling me to go through forbidden doors, and I feel like, ‘Guys, I’ve done this before and I get in trouble.’ But no, Forbidden Door, maybe, you know, I don’t know. It’s a great idea. I think anything’s possible. But at the same time, I’m not in a rush. I feel like a lot of people are in a rush.”
Riddle’s response reflects his cautious approach to exploring new opportunities outside of his current promotion. Having been part of the WWE bubble, where cross-promotional opportunities were limited, he seems hesitant to jump into unfamiliar territory. However, he acknowledges the potential of the Forbidden Door concept and remains open to the idea.
The NJPW Television Champion also discussed AEW’s stacked roster and his reluctance to take someone else’s spot or overshadow their hard work. He stated, “Also, you mentioned, they got a stacked roster. There’s plenty of people that can fill in any gaps, and I personally don’t like to be the guy that comes in and rains on someone else’s parade or takes someone else’s spot as they’re working hard.”
Riddle’s mindset demonstrates his respect for his fellow wrestlers and his desire to avoid disrupting the established hierarchy within a promotion. However, he does recognize the opportunity that arises when top talents like Will Ospreay and Kazuchika Okada leave NJPW, leaving vacant spots that could potentially be filled by newcomers like himself.
While Riddle acknowledges the possibility of joining AEW or other promotions through the Forbidden Door, he remains cautious and emphasizes the importance of timing and the right opportunity. He draws a parallel to his experience in NJPW, where he and Nic Nemeth (Dolph Ziggler) filled the void left by Ospreay and Okada. This suggests that if the circumstances align correctly, Riddle would be open to making a move.
Overall, Matt Riddle’s interview sheds light on his thoughts regarding the Forbidden Door concept and his approach to exploring new opportunities outside of his current promotion. While he remains cautious and not in a rush to make any moves, he acknowledges the potential and possibilities that the Forbidden Door presents. Fans will have to wait and see if Riddle decides to step through that door and compete at the AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door III pay-per-view event.