#2: Riddle
On August 18, 2018, Matt Riddle appeared on NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn IV and was touted as WWE’s newest signee. Riddle debuted on October 31, 2018, where he defeated Luke Menzies in 3 minutes and 19 seconds. Riddle’s first NXT TakeOver match occurred at NXT TakeOver: War Games II when Kassius Ohno interviewed his interview during the pre-show. Riddle challenged Ohno to a match, where Riddle would defeat Ohno in six seconds (setting a record for NXT.) Ohno and Riddle would feud and settle it in a blowoff at NXT TakeOver: Pheonix where Riddle made Ohno tap.
Matt Riddle would contend against Velveteen Dream for the NXT North American Championship and Adam Cole for the NXT Championship; he would come up short in both ventures. In January 2020, the 2020 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic teams were announced – one of these teams being Matt Riddle and Pete Dunne. Dunne, while at first apprehensive, would grow to embrace the tandem. The two would take on the title of “The Broserweights.” On January 29, 2020, the tandem would defeat Grizzled Young Veterans (Zack Gibson and James Drake) to win the 2020 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic and earn a title shot against the NXT Tag Team Champions Bobby Fish and Kyle O’Reilly. At NXT TakeOver: Portland, Riddle and Dunne would defeat Fish and O’Reilly to become the NXT Tag Team Champions.
Dunne then became incapable of traveling to the United States due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and Timothy Thatcher was chosen as Dunne’s replacement. Riddle and Thatcher would lose the titles to Imperium’s Fabian Aichner and Marcel Barthel on May 13, 2020, when Thatcher abandoned Riddle at ringside. Riddle and Thatcher would feud for the remainder of his time in NXT, concluding in a Fight Pit match which Riddle would lose via technical submission.
Matt Riddle made his main roster debut on June 19, 2020, where he interrupted WWE Intercontinental Champion AJ Styles. Afterward, Riddle defeated Styles in a non-title match-up. Post-match, King Corbin attacked Riddle. This would lead to Riddle defeating King Corbin at Payback 2020.
In October 2020, Matt Riddle was drafted to the RAW brand. Matt Riddle’s ring name would be shortened to “Riddle” (much to the ire of many professional wrestling fans.) In December, Riddle would go on to feud with WWE United States Champion Bobby Lashley. This match would continue for two months with Lashley consistently pulling victories over Riddle. On February 21, 2021, at Elimination Chamber 2021, Riddle would defeat John Morrison and Bobby Lashley in a triple threat match to win the WWE United States Championship. Riddle is currently embroiled in a feud with Mustafa Ali and Retribution, and has aligned himself with The New Day.
The Original Bro has completely earned his spot on this list. Riddle made an impactful debut against the legendary AJ Styles in a marquee match, consistently showcased his abilities on both brands, and won the WWE United States Championship (a title of great prestige) on the main roster. With Riddle being the only person to win a main roster championship (with any legitimacy) on this list, I believe that he takes his rightful spot at number two. However, number one is…
