WWE star Shane McMahon thanked Matt Riddle for not beating Goldberg ‘unconscious’ after backstage bust-up between rivals
WWE star Matt Riddle has revealed that Shane McMahon thanked him for not "swinging" on Goldberg after their backstage bust-up at SummerSlam.
The outspoken SmackDown newbie came into conflict with the Hall of Famer and Brock Lesnar after openly criticising their work ethic.
SunSport previously reported how the Beast Incarnate confronted the Original Bro before the Royal Rumble back in Janaury.
Riddle, who was on a five-fight win streak in MMA before taking up professional wrestling, annoyed Lesnar by revealing his desire to retire the former UFC heavyweight champion at WrestleMania.
The 34-year-old also had a public row with WWE legend Bill Goldberg last year at SummerSlam after slamming his Saudi Arabia fiasco against the Undertaker.
Riddle was then confronted by the former WCW king at SummerSlam in a particularly awkward exchange where the two failed to see eye to eye.
Could you imagine? Matt Riddle punches Goldberg unconscious in the back. I can’t do that. That is not a stallion move
Speaking on WWE's the Bump, he explained: “I think we still have differing opinions. It’s two different mindsets when you get into this business.
“Even when it came to Mixed Martial Arts, I like to grind. I’m a hard worker and known for my conditioning. I like to push a pace and expect a lot from myself and my peers.
“Me and Goldberg, in that sense, just didn’t see eye-to-eye and I think we have a different opinion on work.
“It was an opinion, he doesn’t want to be my bro, I completely understand. I didn’t really want to be his bro. That’s just how the cookie crumbled.”
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Riddle's repeated use of the term ‘bro’ seemed to irk Goldberg during their exchange and a watchful Shane McMahon was grateful that the ex-NXT Tag-Team champ didn't try and punch the 53-year-old.
He added: “Shane McMahon was watching from down the hall like, ‘Oh no, these guys are gonna fight.’ And after, Shane was like, ‘Thanks for not swinging on Goldberg.’
“Could you imagine? Matt Riddle punches Goldberg unconscious in the back. I can’t do that. That is not a stallion move. You get a match set-up and beat him in front of millions. That’s a Stallion move.”