Matt Riddle Written Off WWE TV Due To Substance Abuse, To Enter Rehab Program

Matt Riddle is one of the most popular stars on WWE's hands among its current crop of next generation performers, but he will be off TV for the next six weeks as he enters rehab.

Cassidy Haynes of Bodyslam.net exclusively reported that Riddle once again failed WWE's drug testing procedures.

"I was able to confirm that the reason that WWE wrote Riddle of TV is because he has failed another drug test and will be sent to rehab. The belief going around is that he has already entered treatment, or will be going in soon as most programs run for 30 days and he would need to be finished in time for his return in six weeks," he wrote.

Haynes also noted that WWE no longer tests for marijuana, leading to speculation among fans as to what substances were found–a question that the scribe did not offer any information about.

According to most pro wrestling fans on the Squared Circle subreddit, Riddle has been linked to cocaine usage as per rumors circulating over the past few years.

Twitter user Xero News alleged that Riddle's suspension was due to cocaine and MDMA usage and that this will be his second offense.

Riddle being suspended for the second time lines up perfectly with Bodyslam's new report as the first instance was at SummerSlam, which led to his matchup against Seth Rollins being delayed to the Clash at the Castle pay-per-view due to "creative adjustments."

On the December 5 episode of WWE Raw, the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions The Usos had defeated the duo of Riddle and Kevin Owens and Solo Sikoa launched an attack on "The King of Bros" in the middle of the ring, ending the assault with a Samoan Spike–a tribute to his real-life uncle Umaga.

When it was all said and done, Riddle was brought out of the arena on a stretcher and WWE later confirmed that he would be out for the next six weeks.

Riddle made his name in pro wrestling as a major star on their developmental brand of NXT since joining the company in 2018, and fans immediately latched onto the former mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter.

Because of his hush-hush history with substance abuse outside of the company, fans are still on Riddle's side in the hopes that he kicks it as he has proven himself to be a reliable performer for WWE.

Only time will tell what Riddle's future in WWE will look like as he exorcises his demons outside of the squared-circle.