• Matt Riddle Reveals The Real Reason WWE Fired Him
While the general consensus is that WWE fired Matt Riddle due to multiple drug test failures and his controversies outside the ring, Riddle believes the reason for his release was something else.
On TMZ’s Inside The Ring podcast, Riddle revealed that his WWE release came just days before he was set to start earning a $1 million salary.
He said the timing wasn’t coincidental – the company was restructuring financially under the new TKO ownership, cutting several high earners including Dolph Ziggler and Mustafa Ali.
Riddle admitted that being let go at that point “didn’t feel good,” especially after working consistently on the road for years. He described it as a cost-cutting move rather than a personal issue and said that while he didn’t agree with it, he understands it was “mostly money.”
Despite the abrupt ending, Riddle said he has no hard feelings toward WWE and still respects what the company built.
• RAW Star Has Re-Signed With WWE After Tense Negotiations
RAW Superstar Xavier Woods is staying with WWE. According to Fightful Select, The New Day member recently agreed to a multi-year contract extension with the company after negotiations that came right down to the wire.
Woods’ previous deal was set to expire in September 2025, but both sides were able to finalize a new agreement just before the deadline, ending what had been described as a tense negotiation period.
A cornerstone of WWE’s modern tag team division, Woods is a former King of the Ring winner and one of the most decorated tag team competitors in company history. Alongside Kofi Kingston and Big E, he helped turn The New Day into one of the most successful and beloved factions of all time, with multiple tag team title reigns across RAW, SmackDown, and NXT.
Outside the ring, Woods has also been a major part of WWE’s digital growth. He’s the driving force behind the gaming and entertainment brand UpUpDownDown, which is nearing 2.5 million subscribers on YouTube and continues to be a bridge between WWE talent and mainstream gaming culture.
There’s currently no update on the contract status of Kofi Kingston. Back in 2019, all three members of The New Day reportedly signed matching deals. However, due to various injuries suffered by the group over the past few years, it’s unclear whether additional time was added to any of those contracts.
While those details remain unconfirmed, Woods’ extension ensures that at least one-third of The New Day’s legacy remains firmly tied to WWE for the foreseeable future.
Also Read: SmackDown Wrestler Is Back With WWE
