“He Grabbed Me by the Neck”: Ex-WWE Star Opens Up About His Terrifying Run-In with Brock Lesnar
Getting on the wrong side of Brock Lesnar is something WWE superstars tend to avoid at all costs. For Matt Riddle, it wasn’t just a warning—it was a physical wake-up call that happened backstage at one of the biggest events of the year.
The former WWE United States Champion recently looked back on a tense moment with “The Beast” that went down at the Royal Rumble in 2020. And according to Riddle, it wasn’t just a simple chat.
Speaking on a recent interview, Riddle recalled the moment Lesnar physically pulled him aside to set some very clear boundaries. He described walking through the backstage area when suddenly he felt a massive hand grab the back of his neck.
It was Lesnar, and he wasn’t there to exchange pleasantries.
“He didn’t hurt me, but he just dragged me into a private area,” Riddle explained. “He basically told me, ‘Hey, just so you know, we’re never working together. We’re never getting in the ring. Keep my name out of your mouth.'”
Rather than panic, Riddle kept his cool. He assured Lesnar that he would never push for a match if Lesnar wasn’t interested. But in true Riddle fashion, he couldn’t resist adding one small jab—he told the former UFC Heavyweight Champion that despite the rejection, he had still managed to get under his skin.
“I just looked at him and said, ‘I get it. But the fact that you’re here, telling me this yourself? That means I already got to you,'” Riddle recalled.
The two never did share a ring in WWE, and Riddle has been away from the company since his release in 2023. Meanwhile, Brock Lesnar remains one of the biggest wildcards in the industry and has reportedly issued an open challenge for WrestleMania 42—leaving fans wondering who will be brave enough to answer.
