Matt Riddle reveals Vince McMahon's reaction after he botched Asuka segment on WWE RAW
Matt Riddle forgot his lines during a backstage segment with Asuka on the March 29, 2021, episode of WWE RAW. In a recent interview, The Original Bro recalled how former WWE Chairman Vince McMahon reacted to the awkward moment.
The segment began with Riddle telling Asuka he fixed his scooter. After asking The Empress of Tomorrow if people liked scooters in Japan, he laughed and said, "Sorry, I forgot what I was saying," before walking away.
On Developmentally Speaking, Riddle confirmed reports that McMahon enjoyed his unintentional botch. He also revealed that creative team member Bruce Prichard and his former tag team partner Randy Orton found the segment amusing:
"Vince thought it was hilarious," Riddle said. "Bruce Prichard [thought the same]. Randy really thought it was funny. I was worried I was gonna get fired or in trouble or taken off TV, and they're like, 'Perfect. It was perfect for the character.' And I was like, 'Sweet, cool.' They're like, 'Don't do it again, though.' 'I won't, I won't. I won't make it a regular thing!'" [30:29 – 30:49]
The segment aired during WWE's ThunderDome era when fans were not allowed to attend shows owing to the worldwide Covid outbreak. Two weeks later, Riddle lost the United States Championship to Sheamus at WrestleMania 37.
Exact moment Matt Riddle caught Vince McMahon's eye
In June 2020, Matt Riddle became a permanent main roster member after almost two years in the NXT developmental system. During his run in the developmental brand, the former UFC fighter entertained fans by creating a catchy song to make fun of former Undisputed ERA star Bobby Fish.
Riddle found out his song about Fish prompted Vince McMahon to call him up to the SmackDown brand.
"Vince saw me do the, 'How much fish could Bobby Fish fry if Bobby Fish could fry fish?' and heard me sing it and being entertaining, and then he hit up Canyon [former NXT talent director Canyon Ceman]. He goes, 'Canyon, I want him up to the main roster.' I was like, 'Sweet,'" he said. [35:37 – 35:51]
In the same interview, Riddle discussed his 2023 exit from WWE and addressed whether he could return.
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Please credit Developmentally Speaking and give an H/T to Sportskeeda Wrestling for the transcription if you use quotes from this article.