Former WWE star Matt Riddle has sparked controversy after reportedly no-showing a charity wrestling event in the United Kingdom on August 31, 2025, and failing to return the deposit paid to him for the appearance. The event, Global Wrestling Kingdom: A New Kingdom Rises, held in Barnsley, England, aimed to raise funds for survivors of domestic abuse and homeless veterans, making Riddle’s absence a significant disappointment for organizers and fans alike[1][2][3].

Riddle was advertised as the featured opponent of British wrestler Simon Miller at the event. However, according to reports first broken by Cultaholic and confirmed by sources such as Fightful and Wrestling Headlines, Riddle did not travel to the UK and was replaced last minute by Scottish wrestling star Grado[1][2][3][5]. This last-minute replacement left the promotion scrambling and disappointed many fans who had purchased tickets expecting to see Riddle live.

Communications between Riddle and the event’s promoter reportedly broke down in the days before the show. Riddle expressed concerns about the quality of the flights booked for him, calling them “cheap,” and indicated he had received another booking that conflicted with the charity event. Despite initially stating he could still attend the Barnsley show, Riddle ceased responding to follow-up messages from promoters ahead of the event, leaving them without clear answers[1][2][3].

The situation worsened as Riddle has, to date, not returned the deposit paid for his appearance. The charity nature of the event, supporting vulnerable domestic abuse survivors and homeless veterans, has amplified backlash in the wrestling community. Sources close to the promotion explained the financial and reputational strain caused by the no-show, with organizers still trying to recoup losses due to Riddle’s absence[1][3].

This latest incident adds to Matt Riddle’s history of controversies. During his WWE tenure, Riddle was involved in various high-profile incidents, including an altercation with a police officer at an airport while returning from an event in India[1][2]. More recently, Riddle had publicly discussed interactions with WWE personalities such as Shane McMahon at high-profile events, demonstrating his ongoing engagement in wrestling dialogue outside the ring[2]. Still, no official public statement or explanation has come from Riddle or his representatives to clarify or address the reasons behind this no-show or the unreturned deposit[1][2].

The wrestling world continues to watch closely as repercussions unfold. Wrestling insiders speculate about the impact on Riddle’s professional reputation and relationships with independent promotions and charities. Given the sensitive nature of the event’s beneficiaries, many fans and industry figures have expressed disappointment over what they perceive as a neglect of commitment and disrespect for charitable efforts[1][3].

As of September 3, 2025, there remains no update from Matt Riddle on the matter after repeated inquiries. Wrestling promotions and fans alike hope for either an explanation or restitution to avoid further tarnishing of his post-WWE career. Meanwhile, Global Wrestling Kingdom and its partners continue their efforts to support the cause behind the event with alternate talent and fundraising initiatives.

This incident underscores ongoing debates about accountability in the wrestling industry, especially among established talents booked for independent and charity events. It also highlights challenges smaller promotions face when relying on high-profile names to draw crowds and support charitable causes.

Backstage Insight: According to a WWE insider familiar with the situation, “There was significant frustration in the promotion’s camp. Matt’s last communications were vague and contradictory, and his disappearance left them in a tough spot financially and logistically. They’re still trying to get their money back and figuring out how to move forward without alienating fans or other wrestlers.” They added that such incidents could harm future bookings for Riddle on the independent scene, as trust becomes a major factor in arranging charity and non-WWE shows.

Observers note that while Riddle has maintained a presence on social media and in wrestling podcasts discussing various topics, none have addressed this particular controversy. The situation remains a cautionary tale about professionalism and commitments, especially in contexts that extend beyond profit to include important social causes.

This article is based on reports from Cultaholic, Fightful, Wrestling Headlines, and other wrestling news sources, with additional commentary from industry insiders. The story is developing and may be updated as more information becomes available.