WWE NXT: ARRIVAL Highlights the Humility of Matt Riddle

via WWE.com

ARRIVAL Ep.1: The BRO Has Landed

This first episode opens up with Riddle walking (without shoes) through the Barclays Center before his big debut in the crowd at NXT TakeOver Brooklyn IV. He eventually comes across Triple H and Matt Bloom, who welcome him to the family.

Riddle is then able to connect with new and old friends as he takes in the atmosphere of a WWE event for the first time as a member of the roster. It was a long time coming for Riddle, who spent six years fighting in the UFC and four years wrestling on the indies before reaching this chapter in his life.

It wasn’t always easy, either. Riddle may be a household name now, but there was a time when he and his wife Lisa were grinding day in and day out to make it all work. The couple wasn’t seeing any money come in from Matt’s wrestling work for two years.

The pair were raising three young children while working many jobs that included Lisa waitressing and Matt landscaping. It would have been understandable if the couple thought that maybe wrestling wasn’t the route for Matt. It quickly becomes evident, however, that’s just not the way this family works.

This first part of this series really gives you an in-depth look at just how close the Riddle family is to one another. Whether it be his three young kids, his wife, or his mother Connie, Matt Riddle has a support system that is clearly responsible for his dedication to make it in this industry.

The road to get to the WWE was a difficult one and no one knows that better than Lisa Riddle, but her love and loyalty for Matt’s career shines in this episode. Not everyone has someone as strong as her and there’s doubt her strength went a long way in keeping Matt on the path to the WWE. As Lisa cries tears of joy, she expresses her elation for their current situation and the future that is ahead of her family:

"“I was just so happy. My heart was happy for him. He earned it. It’s a big deal because it’s been so hard.”"