Connect with us
Matt Riddle
WWE

Pro Wrestling

Matt Riddle issues statement on sexual assault allegations

Matt Riddle admits to having an affair with the woman, but outright denies any instance of sexual assault.

Matt Riddle has tweeted a video that serves as his official response to the allegations of sexual assault that he has been facing. Check out the video below:

“I have never – in my entire life – sexually assaulted a man, woman, or anybody,” the statement begins, “And that includes Samantha Tavel [and] Candi Cartwright. Riddle then explains his side of the story, outright denying any allegations of sexual assault, the details of the van trip, but he does admit that he had an affair with the woman while married.

“Do I want to talk about it, do I really want to share about it?” he asks. “No. It’s embarrassing, because I feel like a real piece of crap, cheating on my wife and doing that. And now having to talk about it publicly, but I have to.”

Read the full statement below:

I’m gonna make this quick. I have never – in my entire life – sexually assaulted a man, woman, or anybody. And that includes Samantha Tavel [and] Candi Cartwright. I never sexually assaulted you. The story about that van trip, and the driver being asleep, and me forcing you to do stuff, and hop on whatever – is a complete lie, it’s a fabricated story because you’re still mad. You know why you’re mad? Because yes, you’re right. We had an affair. You have plenty of evidence of that. And you know what? I never denied it. Because it happened. Do I want to talk about it, do I really want to share about it? No. It’s embarrassing, because I feel like a real piece of crap, cheating on my wife and doing that. And now having to talk about it publicly, but I have to.

We had a relationship. We had a fling. I started to get sad and depressed because I was lying to my wife so much to hide what I was doing. I was lying to all my friends because I didn’t want anybody to know, because it’s not something cool – I didn’t want to brag about it. I tried to end it. I told my wife about you and us. I tried to end it. I blocked you, I blocked your social media. You then started using messaging apps. You kept coming. I blocked those. You got my – I got a new number, you got my new number and kept messaging me. You literally got on social media accounts for other companies, kept messaging me until I blocked them. Now you have literally started harassing me, showing up to hotels harassing my friends, ‘where is he? where is he? where is he?’ At this point you have to realize, if you don’t think you’re stalking me or harassing me – you’re crazy. And if you’re at home and you don’t think that’s harassment, you’re crazy.

At the end of the day, I’m not perfect. We did have an affair, and I’m not happy about that. But I never sexually abused anybody, I never sexually assaulted anybody, and when I wanted to get out of this [air quotes] relationship, out of this situation, she said ‘no’ and she kept pursuing me and harassing me and stalking me. And then, when she didn’t get her way, she used the speak out movement to try and ruin my career. Completely unacceptable. That’s all I really have to say. That’s the story. Everybody have a great day, take care, later.

As of now, Matt Riddle is still presented as one of SmackDown‘s fastest-rising stars. It remains to be seen what, if any, action WWE will take.

(h/t Cageside Seats for the transcription)

Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

In Case You Missed It

Marvel celebrates the Hellfire Gala with new costume swap variant covers for July 2026 Marvel celebrates the Hellfire Gala with new costume swap variant covers for July 2026

Marvel celebrates the Hellfire Gala with new costume swap variant covers for July 2026

Comic Books

Marvel celebrates Pixar’s 40th anniversary with new homage variant covers Marvel celebrates Pixar’s 40th anniversary with new homage variant covers

Marvel celebrates Pixar’s 40th anniversary with new homage variant covers

Comic Books

Che Grayson reveals how ‘Absolute Catwoman’ turns Selina Kyle into DC’s deadliest spy Che Grayson reveals how ‘Absolute Catwoman’ turns Selina Kyle into DC’s deadliest spy

Che Grayson reveals how ‘Absolute Catwoman’ turns Selina Kyle into DC’s deadliest spy

Comic Books

DC Preview: Batman #10 DC Preview: Batman #10

DC Preview: Batman #10

Comic Books

Connect