Indie promotion Combat Zone Wrestling is advertising “one of Matt Riddle’s final appearances before going to WWE” for their New Heights show which takes place on July 28.
The former UFC fighter, who has a record of 8-3-2 in the promotion, is one of the hottest free agents in the independent scene and is often described as one of the best professional wrestlers on the market right now. His last MMA fight was in February 2014 with Titan Fighting Championship while his last UFC fight came a year earlier.
However, his constant use of marijuana has prevented him from working with the big leagues and WWE does not allow the substance to be consumed as part of their Wellness Program. Riddle tested positive twice for marijuana while in the UFC, overturning two of his wins to no contests.
The 32-year-old has wrestled for Evolve, Pro Wrestling Guerrilla, Combat Zone Wrestling, and others ever since he started his professional wrestling career in early 2015.
Riddle has pulled out of several indie dates he had lined up which furthers the theory that he is indeed coming to NXT. Takeover shows have been the best place to launch the arrival of newcomers for NXT and with Brooklyn on the horizon, it could be that Riddle will be unveiled to the NXT television audience then.