Matt Riddles war of words with Bill Goldberg may have been loud but according to Riddle, the two dont really have any beef at all now. For years, the beef between Matt Riddle and Bill Goldberg felt very real. It started publicly in 2019 when Goldberg confronted Riddle backstage at SummerSlam and told him, Im not your bro. Since then, Riddle has repeatedly taken shots at Goldbergs in-ring ability. But now, Riddle says the animosity is gone. Speaking on the Rewind Recap Relive podcast on February 21, 2026, Riddle explained that the turning point happened during a WWE overseas trip. He first set the scene, explaining how their travel arrangements unexpectedly put them face-to-face. Before even getting into the conversation with Goldberg, Riddle made sure to shout out Randy Orton for helping him land a first-class seat which ultimately made the interaction possible. Once on the plane, Riddle said the tension didnt explode it simmered. The two veterans ended up standing near the bar area in first class, and surprisingly, drinks broke the ice. Riddle explained that while the conversation wasnt hostile, it was honest. Goldberg acknowledged Riddles MMA background and grappling skills, which Riddle appreciated: He told me he respected my jiu-jitsu and everything I bring. In return, Riddle didnt sugarcoat his own thoughts on Goldberg. He told him directly that while he didnt consider him a technical great, he respected what he brought as a larger-than-life star. Riddle admitted he was blunt something that has defined his public comments for years. From there, the conversation changed to what might have been. Riddle said he pitched the idea of a feud not as an ego move, but because he genuinely believed it would work. He made it clear that he knows how to structure a match and protect his opponent, especially someone with Goldbergs style and limitations. Riddle even laid out how the match could have been structured longer than Goldbergs typical sprint-style bouts. Riddle clarified that he wasnt trying to force a booking or stir up management drama. He was simply clearing the air and showing respect. By the end of the flight, the tone had completely shifted. The edge was gone, replaced by mutual understanding and a lot of cocktails. The King of Bros closed by making it clear theres no lingering hostility today: If I see him now, theres no ill will. That was probably the closest we ever came to making it happen. Now, instead of unfinished business, it sounds like theres simply mutual respect and a story about Bloody Marys that almost led to a dream match. Do you think Matt Riddle vs. Goldberg could have delivered if it actually happened, or was it better left as a near-miss? Sound off in the comments. Please credit Ringside News if you use the above transcript in your publication. G Add as a preferred source on Google
