Matt Riddle Reacts To His WWE NXT Wrestling Debut

“The King of Bros” has arrived.

WWE’s newest blockbuster signee, former UFC fighter and independent wrestling champion Matt Riddle, made his wrestling debut at Friday’s NXT live event in Sanford, Florida.

Riddle beat Fabian Aichner in a match that went back-and-forth. Riddle was over with fans, wrestled barefoot (like he did on the indies), and scored the win after nailing Aichner with a powerbomb, followed by a knee strike.

View this post on Instagram

BREAKING NEWS: @riddlebro has just made his NXT Live Event debut in #NXTSanford! #Bro #Stallion #KingOfBros

A post shared by WWE NXT (@wwenxt) on Sep 21, 2018 at 5:05pm PDT

NXT is Bro. @SuperKingofBros pic.twitter.com/TlkOoEd8Vd

— JJ Williams (@JJWilliamsWON) September 22, 2018

King of Bros! @SuperKingofBros #wwenxt #nxt #NXTSanford #bro pic.twitter.com/aEV9lk3bS2

— ❤️ Libby ❤️ (@lahill122) September 22, 2018

@SuperKingofBros has arrived! #NXTSanford pic.twitter.com/3SydqY8R1E

— Wayne (@BrokenZen333) September 22, 2018

We have the NXT debut of @SuperKingofBros and he is not wearing shoes. pic.twitter.com/vHLCxGu3xu

— JJ Williams (@JJWilliamsWON) September 22, 2018

.@FabianAichner faces @SuperKingofBros making his NXT debut. #NXTSanford pic.twitter.com/2GtNyC1pyA

— Jordan Alvarado (@nerdyjordy) September 22, 2018

Bro! @SuperKingofBros pic.twitter.com/KJWcbMcWwZ

— JJ Williams (@JJWilliamsWON) September 22, 2018

M3 – @SuperKingofBros pins @FabianAichner. Here’s the finish. #NXTSanford pic.twitter.com/rQk7ApkWG9

— Kyle (@FLWrestlingFan) September 22, 2018

What A Combo! @SuperKingofBros pic.twitter.com/yq5K3N7ymC

— Brian The Guppie (@briantheguppie) September 22, 2018

A victorious debut @SuperKingofBros 🤙 #NXTSanford pic.twitter.com/pIse3vAK9Y

— Jordan Alvarado (@nerdyjordy) September 22, 2018

@SuperKingofBros #NXTSanford #hotdamn @WrestlingInc pic.twitter.com/HTb6Ur6lCy

— Graven🍭 (@gravenbabies) September 22, 2018

Unbelievable moment. @SuperKingofBros pic.twitter.com/4chhPhm8wa

— JJ Williams (@JJWilliamsWON) September 22, 2018

“I just made my debut at NXT, just got my first win, feel pretty good. It’s been a long time coming and it feels nice to finally be in NXT, and not only be here and perform but win,” Riddle said in a video posted on NXT’s Twitter account.

“You never know when you work at a new place, especially a place with such prestige as NXT, but then you come through the curtains, even before I came through the curtains, [the ‘Bro!’ chants].

“What’s next for me? Well, I got one win and I’m here, and if I keep winning and proving myself I’ll be undeniable and I’ll get exactly what I want.”

BREAKING NEWS: The #KingOfBros has spoken. What do you think of his #NXTSanford debut? @SuperKingofBros pic.twitter.com/KyFvsXlQzN

— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) September 22, 2018

Once a member of UFC’s welterweight division, Riddle left mixed martial arts in 2014 to pursue a wrestling career. He turned into the breakout star of the independent ranks, capturing titles in North America and Europe, before signing with WWE this summer.

Introduced as NXT’s newest Superstar at TakeOver: Brooklyn IV on August 18, Riddle tweeted Thursday night that he couldn’t wait to make his NXT debut. Tonight was the first time that he had wrestled since facing PCO (aka former WWE wrestler Pierre Carl Ouellet) at “Joey Janela’s Lost in New York” event on August 17.

This is a picture of my last match on the indies at #joeyjanelaslostinnewyork it’s been a while since I’ve heard the roar of a crowd and I can’t wait to make my NXT debut and show the world what the King of Bros is capable of! #bro #stallion #kingofbros #nxt #WWE pic.twitter.com/WfGIauXr44

— matthew riddle (@SuperKingofBros) September 20, 2018

Riddle is set to make one final indie appearance at PROGRESS Wrestling’s show at Wembley Arena in London, England on September 30. He will face Mark Haskins.