Buddy Matthews: Match With Kazuchika Okada Is In The Same Ballpark As Facing Roman Reigns

Buddy Matthews is ready for his breakout following his WWE release.

At NJPW Battle in the Valley, Matthews will take on Kazuchika Okada in his biggest match since being released by WWE on June 2.

Speaking to Forbes, Matthews gave his thoughts on the upcoming bout.

“It’s definitely up there. I feel like it’s kind of in the same ballpark as when I wrestled Roman [Reigns],” he said. “That match that I had with Roman was the coming-out party of the introduction of me to the WWE Universe, so this is going to be the coming-out party outside of that to introduce me to the people who don’t know or haven’t followed my career in WWE. I feel like I’m a better performer when there’s less buildup to it, less pressure and what not. I’m just going to go out there, do what I do best and tear it up. I don’t think there’s any bigger match that you could have in a debut in New Japan Pro Wrestling. I wanted to swim with the whales and they gave me the biggest whale they could find. Back in WWE, in 205 [Live], I had a chip on my shoulder to prove myself, and that chip has only gotten bigger. Expect a bigger, more intense and more driven Buddy Matthews going forward.”

Matthews wrestled Roman Reigns on the August 13, 2019 episode of WWE SmackDown as part of the “who tried to kill Roman Reigns?” storyline that Matthews walked himself into. You can view his comments on the storyline by clicking here.

You can view the current lineup for NJPW Battle in the Valley by clicking here.

Fightful will have coverage of NJPW Battle in the Valley on November 13. The event will air on FITE TV.