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Here Is Why Matt Riddle Won’t Dethrone AJ Styles

Published 07/03/2020, 2:07 AM EDT

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Matt Riddle had a main roster debut that many NXT Superstars can only dream of.

He knocked off the reigning Intercontinental Champion AJ Styles in his very first match. The match accomplished two things for the King of Bros.

Firstly, the entire WWE Universe got to see his incredible in-ring skills and the magic that he is capable of creating between the ropes.

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His style is something that includes a combination of MMA style kicks and chops as well as the standard wrestling maneuvers.

However, the second and more important thing that was accomplished was that he was established as a credible threat on the SmackDown roster.

That’s because almost everyone that rises through the main roster ranks from NXT is a talented in-ring performer. However, the booking always let’s them down.

Giving Riddle such a huge victory in his very first match has done half the job for SmackDown creative.

However, the real task begins now. What do they do with him next? They have a red-hot entity on their hands but things can go awry pretty soon.

Will Matt Riddle become Intercontinental Champion?

This is a very far-fetched possibility. Vince McMahon hasn’t shown this kind of confidence on any new recruit from NXT.

It is very unlikely that Riddle becomes the exception. What is more probable is a pay-per view contest against AJ Styles.

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That may lead to a loss for Riddle after a high octane match-up and if we go by WWE’s booking style, it might also see Styles using underhand tactics.

In addition, WWE made Styles the champion with a purpose. He’s an experienced hand who’s been given the responsibility to navigate SmackDown’s midcard which really lacks depth.

Styles is known to single-handedly elevate the worth of a championship through his no days off attitude.

AJ has no qualms in putting Riddle over but this is certainly not the right time for him to take a fall.

A feud with a mid-card heel

This is the standard operating procedure for WWE and there’s no reason to believe that they would deviate.

Recent rumors have indicated that Matt Riddle is set for a feud with Baron Corbin. That’s hardly a surprise considering that King Corbin is quickly turning into the new Dolph Ziggler.

Once a Money in the Bank winner, Corbin is mostly putting over other Superstars these days with his natural heel persona.

Another name that comes to mind is Sheamus. It’s notable that WWE is building him up as a ruthless heel after he demolished Jeff Hardy.

However, it’s very difficult to imagine that they are setting him up for a title run. Firstly, AJ Styles is a heel and a feud with him makes no storyline sense.

Talking about Braun Strowman, he’s currently engrossed in a feud with Bray Wyatt which should go on till Summerslam. Even after that, a feud with Sheamus hardly sounds like money for The Monster among Men.

That’s where he becomes perfectly positioned to challenge Matt Riddle. A victory against Sheamus with a decisive authority can work wonders for Riddle.

Riddle sits down with Michael Cole

WWE has Announced that Matt Riddle is going to have an interview with Michael Cole.

The intentions are clearly to allow Riddle to display his impeccable mic skills.

The entire segment will help in some much needed character development. We can even see a new feud being kickstarted if someone decides to interfere.

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All in all, Matt Riddle seems to have a good future in the WWE. Vince McMahon looks impressed with him, which is something that not many NXT superstars can claim.

It will be interesting to observe his career trajectory in the next few months. I’m sure there are many possible angles that you see which I missed out in my article. That’s what the comments section is for so let us know what you think about Riddle’s possible options.

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Written by:

Aryan Sharma

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Aryan Sharma is a WWE and Tennis author and editor at EssentiallySports. Being a journalism graduate from Delhi University, he combines his love for creating content with an astute knowledge of almost three eras of professional wrestling. He's also a Roger Federer and Maria Sharapova fan and likes to write on the social impact of these two legends beyond their achievements on the tennis court.
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