Matt Riddle is gearing up for a tough night as he faces Donovan Dijak at Major League Wrestling’s Azteca Lucha pay-per-view. Riddle has been the reigning MLW world heavyweight champion for almost four months now, having taken the title from Satoshi Kojima at the Kings of Colosseum. During his reign, he has successfully defended his title against Kojima and Alex Kane at SuperFight 6 and emerged victorious in the Battle Riot match last month.
Donovan Dijak could be Riddle’s most formidable opponent yet, as he remains undefeated by pinfall or submission since joining MLW last year. Their previous encounter at MLW’s One Shot ended in Dijak losing via disqualification. Since then, Dijak has aligned himself with manager Saint Laurent and found an ally in Bishop Dyer, adding more firepower to his corner.
Riddle is fully aware of the challenges that come with being the top guy in the company. “At the end of the day, it’s kind of like motivation,” he shared with Fox News Digital. “Sometimes, when you’re just one-on-one with somebody, you kind of drop your guard. Unfortunately for me, it’s never a one-on-one situation, even when it’s supposed to be.”
Despite entering the ring with injured ribs, a result of a steel chair attack by Dijak, Riddle remains steadfast in his commitment to defend his title. “The ribs are a little banged up,” Riddle admitted. “But that’s bound to happen in this line of work. I think the important part is that Dijak is the one responsible for injuring my ribs.”
Austin Aries, who has returned to MLW as a commentator, will be calling the match. Aries commented on the challenges of being a champion, noting, “I know as good as anybody to win the championship is difficult, but to keep the championship is even more difficult because now you’re a marked man, everyone’s coming for you.”
Riddle has been maintaining his fitness despite his injuries, focusing on keeping his abs strong in preparation for Dijak’s expected tactics. He remains confident but cautious, understanding the importance of facing such a significant challenge head-on.
Azteca Lucha will be held at Cicero Stadium in Chicago, and fans can catch all the action on YouTube. As the excitement builds, both Riddle and Dijak are preparing to leave everything in the ring, knowing the stakes are high.
The event promises to be a thrilling showcase of athleticism and strategy, with Riddle looking to continue his reign and Dijak aiming to make his mark in MLW history. The anticipation is palpable as both competitors gear up for what could be a defining moment in their careers.
