Matt Riddle’s Call-Up Changed Plans For Eight Performers
Matt Riddle’s call up sent shock waves through multiple brands.
Fightful has learned that after a meeting with Vince McMahon, a decision had been made to call Matt Riddle up to the main roster. Due to the issues surrounding the world and the Coronavirus Pandemic, that was a little easier said than done.
Riddle was one-half of the NXT Tag Team Champions with Pete Dunne, who is stuck in the UK due to a travel ban. Initially, Fightful was told the company was fine to wait it out and see how things played out until he got back. A decision was made to bring in the team of Indus Sher, managed by Malcolm Bivens. The two started a feud with Riddle, which was to continue until Dunne came back. When it became clear that Riddle would need to drop the NXT Tag Team Titles, there wasn’t enough confidence in Indus Shera to be in that spot as of yet, and they were temporarily removed from TV. We are told that Matt Bloom personally thinks the Indus Sher team has high upside.
With Riddle’s call-up, Imperium was given the tag titles, as NXT officials feel they were better prepared to carry them. Timothy Thatcher was brought in as Riddle’s temporary partner and eventual rival. When we asked how Pete Dunne would be impacted by all of this, we were told that there are no firm plans for anyone stuck overseas, but it’s possible he could appear on NXT UK tapings in the event the company gets those up and going.
This report first appeared on our premium Fightful Select service. Subscribe to support our exclusive and independent coverage of professional wrestling. You’ll get access to exclusive news, and dozens of additional podcasts.
