Last night, the wrestling world was hit with a surprise as former WWE star and current MLW standout Matt Riddle made his TNA debut at the Turning Point event. Stepping in for Trey Miguel, who missed the show due to travel conflicts, the “King of Bros” teamed up with Zachary Wentz and KUSHIDA in a six-man tag match against The Hardys (Matt and Jeff) and Ace Austin.
While Riddle and his team showcased strong chemistry, their combined efforts weren’t enough to overcome the formidable trio of the TNA World Tag Team Champions and Austin. The Hardys and Ace Austin walked away with the victory, but Riddle’s presence left a lasting impression on the TNA faithful.
Riddle’s Road So Far
This appearance marks a new chapter for Riddle, whose career has been a whirlwind since his WWE departure. After returning to MLW, Riddle has been a dominant force, earning the number one contendership for the MLW World Championship at Battle RIOT VI. On January 11, he’ll face Satoshi Kojima at Kings of Colosseum in a long-awaited championship match—a rematch years in the making after Riddle’s near-miss in 2018.
But MLW isn’t the only place where Riddle’s been making waves. Earlier this year, he captured the NJPW World Television Championship, dethroning Hiroshi Tanahashi in a shocker that sent ripples through New Japan Pro Wrestling. Though his reign lasted just 49 days, it proved that Riddle can hang with the best anywhere in the world.
What’s Next for the “King of Bros”?
With his TNA debut in the books, speculation is already swirling about what Riddle’s future with the company holds. Will he become a regular fixture, or was this a one-off appearance? If there’s one thing we’ve learned about Riddle, it’s that he thrives in the unexpected—and fans should expect nothing less.
For now, the “King of Bros” is keeping his options open, competing across MLW, NJPW, and the indies, but his Turning Point debut may just be the start of something bigger in TNA.