Video! Riddle Debuts On WWE’s SmackDown, Pins AJ Styles

Derik Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

Many combat fans may know Matt Riddle from his days competing under the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) banner, but the “Super King of Bros” is now an official member of the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) main roster.

Riddle made his debut on WWE’s SmackDown earlier tonight (Fri., June 18, 2020) on FOX when he met veteran AJ Styles in the center of the ring. After claiming he was going to be the “bro that’s gonna run the show,” Riddle and Styles officially went to war. With some advice from his ringside peers Riddle was able to pull off his finishing move and eventually pin Styles, who currently holds the WWE Intercontinental Championship.

Check out some of the highlights below courtesy of WWE.

Riddle, 34, was part of UFC from 2008-2013 after a stint on “The Ultimate Fighter.” Following his departure from the promotion Riddle had some harsh words for UFC president Dana White, calling the fight promoter a “bald, insecure TRT user.” Riddle would then go on to claim UFC was signing “retarded brawlers” just to appease hungry fight fans.

Riddle signed with WWE in July 2018 after a successful stint on the pro wrestling independent circuit. The former MMA fighter had to push through a backstage altercation with Brock Lesnar at Royal Rumble earlier this year to get to this point, but Riddle is clearly going to be an intricate part of the SmackDown roster moving forward.