Matt Riddle Slams Punk, Talks Cena Before Maryland Events
Ahead of his appearances in Maryland this weekend, former WWE star Matt Riddle is drawing renewed attention with sharp criticism of CM Punk and a revealing anecdote about John Cena.
In a June 9 interview on the Going Ringside podcast from First Coast News, Riddle described Punk as difficult to work with and dismissed his reputation.
“That guy sucks … he’s a bitch to work with in the back,” Riddle said. “He just belly aches and complains. He’s a headache.” Riddle added that friends still with WWE have echoed similar frustrations about Punk behind the scenes.
Riddle also discussed his first meeting with Cena, saying their encounter turned confrontational after he remarked that he thought Cena “would be bigger.” Riddle said Cena responded with “a verbal lashing back and forth,” challenging him over his “King of Bros” persona.
“He gave me crap for being the King of Bros, tried to get me to explain what that was, and no answer was good enough for John Cena,” Riddle said.
Despite the exchange, Riddle called Cena “a great guy, a nice guy, professional.”
Riddle is scheduled to appear at wrestling events this weekend in Salisbury, Timonium and Joppa.
Sources:
Going Ringside podcast – June 9, 2025, WrestlingNews.co, ITR Wrestling