Former WWE Superstar Matt Riddle explains why he was able to wrestle barefoot
Former WWE Superstar Matt Riddle is one of the rare performers who wrestle barefoot. The Original Bro recently revealed how he was able to pull it off.
The 38-year-old parted ways with the Stamford-based company last year in September. Following his departure, Riddle returned to the independent circuit. He is the current AAA World Cruiserweight Champion.
During a recent edition of the Barstool Rasslin' podcast, the host joked that he would step on Matt Riddle's toe if they competed in a wrestling match. In response, the former WWE United States Champion revealed he suffered from frostbite when he was a child and has had numb feet ever since. Riddle added he did not feel a thing while kicking his opponents.
“Funny story, the toes have no feeling. I got frostbite on them when I was a child, and when I was visiting Wisconsin in the winter. And I wore some Vans sneakers and played outside all day, and then got some frostbite on the toes, and then I lost feeling on the skin surface. If I break my foot, I’ll feel it. But when I kick, or slap, or whatever, nothing. So, stomping on the foot, and I fought in the UFC, where people stomped on my foot all the time. I got numb feet, but if we’re in a match, and that’s the story, I’ll sell it," said Riddle. [From 11:20 to to 12:02]
You can check out his comments in the video below:
Matt Riddle opens up about flexibility in schedule following WWE departure
As mentioned earlier, Matt Riddle returned to the independent circuit after parting ways with the Stamford-based company. While he is currently signed to Major League Wrestling, the former UFC star also wrestles for Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide.
Later on the podcast, Riddle revealed how his wrestling schedule had relaxed after departing from WWE. The two-time RAW Tag Team Champion added he feels like a free agent with a lot of value behind his name due to his accomplishments in the Stamford-based company and his UFC background.
"Yeah, you know what? Honestly, my schedule is a lot more loose. And I'm my own boss now. For so long, I was an independent contractor, working for WWE. But I was still like an employee there, kind of like the UFC. I feel like now, for the first time, a free agent, with a lot of value behind my name, having done the WrestleManias, RK-Bro, working MLW, plus with the UFC background," Riddle stated. [From 15:32 onwards]
Matt Riddle will face Donovan Dijak in a singles match at MLW ONE-SHOT on December 5. It will be interesting to see which former WWE Superstar will emerge victorious at the event.