Internal Reaction to Matt Riddle’s Surprise Debut at TNA Turning Point

TNA Wrestling’s Turning Point event on November 29 was already a big night for the company, but Matt Riddle’s surprise debut took things to another level.

According to Fightful Select, Riddle wasn’t initially part of the plan but stepped in at the last minute due to unforeseen circumstances.

The shake-up happened after Trey Miguel, originally set to team with Zachary Wentz and Kushida in a six-man tag match, had a travel issue that prevented him from appearing. TNA sources revealed they got word of Miguel’s situation earlier that day. While scrambling for a replacement, Matt Riddle was brought in just hours before the show.

Riddle, who had been released by WWE in 2023, seized the opportunity to join TNA World Tag Team Champions The Hardys and ABC’s Ace Austin in a match against Wentz, Kushida, and their makeshift team. His return to pro wrestling drew a strong live reaction, a fact TNA officials were happy about. However, insiders noted that while the situation wasn’t ideal, the team wasn’t overly stressed, considering they were at a convention filled with potential replacements.

“Riddle found out not long before the show that the possibility was a reality,” one source said. “While things were chaotic, we were happy with how the crowd received him.” Despite the positive response, TNA has yet to confirm if Riddle will make further appearances with the company.

Whether this was a one-off appearance or the start of something new for Matt Riddle, his last-minute debut at Turning Point certainly got people talking. TNA Wrestling proved they can adapt under pressure, but the big question now is whether Riddle’s future will include more stops in their ring—or if this was just a fleeting moment of chaos turned opportunity. Stay tuned, because this story could get even more interesting.