WWE WrestleMania 36: A case for Matt Riddle/Aleister Black replacing Roman Reigns

And we’re back in fantasy land again.  Goldberg is in the ring, awaiting his mystery opponent, and in his mind he’s hoping that it’s anyone but one guy – a man who’s not even on the main roster yet, technically.  The words “you’re making me mad” and “WHAT A KNEE BAR, BRO, WHAT A KNEE BAR” are racing through his head.

Then, the absolute worst case scenario for Bill Goldberg is realized, as over the public address system (that’s what it’s called, right?), we hear…

“BROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO…”

A brownish liquid seeps from beneath Goldberg’s wrestling trunks as “The Original Bro” makes his way to the ring to the tune of a super chill beat that sounds like it could be ripped straight from Dr. Dre’s 1992 multi-platinum album, “The Chronic.” 

Riddle walks toward the ring in his sliders with his trademark, confident, bigger than it should be smile and Goldberg, having just had an accident, cannot help but think that it’s somehow fitting that the one to take him down and out of the game forever [hopefully] will be the complete antithesis of himself.)

I am not picking Matt Riddle as my top choice to be number one contender to Goldberg’s Universal Championship just because of the history he has with Goldberg.

The fact that he has released various (hilarious) clips of himself just-BURYING the 53 year old champion has nothing to do with why I think Riddle should make the all-time fastest, longest leap from his current station in the business to the top of the game.

I think Riddle would be the best choice to take the Universal strap off of Goldberg’s waist because he’s the best entity/personality the WWE has, in my semi-professional opinion. Let me give you some facts and opinions about Riddle and allow you to make up your mind.

Matt Riddle is legitimately among the best in the world in the ring and he’s only been doing it for half or LESS THAN HALF of the time the rest of the best have been honing their craft. That’s crazy to think about!

Riddle has “it.” The x-factor that you cannot teach.  Matt Riddle is basically charisma personified. You cannot help but like the guy – unless you’re a miserable person and I cannot help you there.  He’s hilarious and goofy when it’s time to be hilarious and goofy and he’s intense and vicious when it’s time to be intense and vicious.

As far as deserving the right to stand across from Goldberg next weekend?  Well, there’s a built in storyline already.  The majority of wrestling fandom are well aware that Riddle does not like Goldberg and is dying to teach him a lesson.

Do yourselves a favor and YouTube his comments on Bill Goldberg if you don’t know what I’m talking about and skipped the one I actually provided for you. I’ll wait. They’re that good.

Now, I am fairly certain that there is not enough money in the world to give Goldberg to do the job for Matt Riddle. The way Riddle put Goldberg on blast to the ENTIRE WORLD does not breed any sense of goodwill or a “team-player” attitude.

However, this is my fantasy land and my points are pretty undeniable. If you don’t agree, just watch a little more closely and I’m sure you’ll come around.

(Michael Cole:  “oh my GOD, did Riddle just vertical leap over Goldberg’s seventh attempt at the spear, sending him HARD into the turnbuckle?!  Did I just see that ridiculous athleticism!?”

Goldberg shakes his head, trying to clear out the cobwebs as he so often does when someone gets remotely any offense in on him.  He struggles to find his footing, he’s clearly dazed.

Corey Graves: “Goldberg may be in serious trouble here, folks!”

As soon as Goldberg reaches his feet, Riddle turns him around and lifts him upside down  by the waist. He holds all of Goldberg’s weight with his left arm as he hooks his right around Goldberg’s leg, and then he dives forward, flattening Goldberg with the Bro Derek!!  He falls on top of the soon-to-be former two time Universal Champion and he hooks his leg, pulling it backward as the referee slides into position.

Michael Cole:  “ONE…TWO…THREE!!!  HE DID IT!!!! THE KING OF BROS IS OUR NEW UNIVERSAL CHAMPION!!!! CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?”  And then the music kicks in, so we know it’s real…

Justin Roberts:  “Your winner…AND NEWWWWWWW WWE Universal Champiooonnnnnn….MATT…RIDDLLLLLLLLLLLLLE!!!!!!!”)

It will happen one day – for both of these guys, of that much I am absolutely sure.  What I’m NOT sure of is if it will be next weekend.  Although, crazier things (like what we have been seeing on the news every day for the last couple of weeks) have happened.  Stay safe and do what you have to do to stay healthy, everyone.

For more information about COVID-19, visit the CDC’s website or the website for your state’s Department of Health.