![WWE Cuts Ties with Wrestler Originally From Upstate New York](http://townsquare.media/site/937/files/2023/09/attachment-GettyImages-1335685692.jpg?w=980&q=75)
WWE Cuts Ties with Wrestler Originally From Upstate New York
World Wrestling Entertainment has seen a flurry of activity since the recent merger with UFC was made official, under its new name, TKO Group. Some of that activity included layoffs of several talent and front office staff.
One of the biggest names to be released was Matt Riddle, who performed for the company for years as simply "Riddle." Riddle spent his formative teenage years in Upstate New York, becoming a state wrestling champion for Saratoga Springs High School. During his time there, he achieved noteworthy victories by defeating the future UFC champion Jon Jones in high school wrestling not once, but twice.
Regarding his release, Riddle said in an official statement:
Just wanted to inform everyone that I’m no longer with WWE. Thank you for the memories and opportunities also thank you to all the fans for the support and love you give me every time I go out to the ring. See you all soon.
After competing several years in MMA, Riddle signed a wrestling contract with WWE in 2018 and performed on its NXT brand until being called up to the main roster in 2020.
Riddle enjoyed some success in the WWE, winning the United States Championship and Raw Tag Team Championship, but his tenure was also lowlighted by several backstage behavioral issues.
In early September Riddle was involved in a bizarre incident at JFK airport in New York City. In a since-deleted social media post, Riddle alleged that a law enforcement officer had sexually assaulted him. Subsequently, reports emerged stating that the performer displayed signs of being "highly inebriated" and exhibited "disruptive behavior" during a flight transfer.
13 Celebs You Might Spot Anytime in Saratoga this Summer
Ranking the 10 Best Pro Wrestlers Born in New York
Check Out These Awesome Vintage Photos of WWE (WWF) at the Utica Aud in 1988
35 Years After Wrestlemania: Where Are They Now?
More From 96.9 WOUR
![4 New York Towns Competing for ‘Favorite Small Town in the Northeast’](http://townsquare.media/site/937/files/2024/03/attachment-saratoga-springs.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Awesome Retro Tech History Surfaces on Upstate NY Marketplace](http://townsquare.media/site/937/files/2024/02/attachment-jason-leung-tMh1DEUrzT4-unsplash.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![‘Iron Man’ of New York Shows Up at Bars and Presses Clothes for Free](http://townsquare.media/site/937/files/2024/03/attachment-iron-clothes-bar2.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![See Legends & Hall of Famers Play in Cooperstown Over Memorial Day](http://townsquare.media/site/937/files/2024/03/attachment-GettyImages-98572330.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Are There Any Banned Books in the State of New York?](http://townsquare.media/site/937/files/2024/03/attachment-banned-books.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![‘Abducted by the 80s’ Tour Will Turn Back the Clock in Upstate NY](http://townsquare.media/site/937/files/2024/03/attachment-80s-throwback.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Popular Upstate New York Grocery Chain Will Close for Eclipse](http://townsquare.media/site/937/files/2024/03/attachment-closed-grocery.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Classic Rockers to Play New York State Fair, First Time Since 2017](http://townsquare.media/site/937/files/2024/03/attachment-state-fair2.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Nominees Revealed for New York’s Video Game Hall of Fame](http://townsquare.media/site/937/files/2024/03/attachment-video-game-1.jpg?w=980&q=75)