WWE has been hyping the arrival of Matt Riddle onto the main roster for the last few weeks, but a new report by Fightful claims that the NXT superstar’s call-up had major affects for multiple other performers within the company.
When the United States officially ordered a travel ban due to the COVID-19 pandemic Riddle’s tag partner Pete Dunne was unable to enter the states, making it quite difficult for them to defend the NXT tag team titles they held at the time. NXT later introduced the Malcom Bivens led Indus Shera team to feud with Riddle until the ban was lifted and Dunne could return, but when the decision to bring Riddle to the main roster was confirmed, management believed that Indus Shera was not ready to carry the brand’s tag titles.
NXT UK’s Imperium (Fabian Aichner & Marcel Barthel) were then chosen to dethrone Riddle and substitute partner Timothy Thatcher, who would transition into Riddle’s final feud for the yellow-and-black brand before moving to the main roster.
As for Dunne, reports are that there are no plans for anyone trapped over seas due to the uncertainty of the virus, but there’s indication that the Bruiserweight could appear on an NXT UK taping if and when they are able to return.
Stay tuned.