Aries finally accepts as weeks of insults ignite a championship showdown November 7 on VEEPS
Major League Wrestling today announced Austin Aries will defend the MLW National Openweight Championship against “Rude Dude” Matt Riddle at Saturday Night SuperFight, Saturday, November 7 at 8 PM ET, live exclusively on VEEPS from Chicago’s sold-out Cicero Stadium.
Pre-order Saturday Night SuperFight on VEEPS.
For weeks on Fusion, Riddle has been pressing Aries for a fight. The champion’s response? Insults, excuses, and an emphatic declaration that absolutely nothing Riddle could do would convince him to put the championship on the line.
Now, Aries will have to eat those words—or make Riddle regret every one of his.
Their increasingly combustible encounters began with Riddle telling Aries that everyone knew he would “smoke” the champion. Aries fired back with a threat to knock Riddle out “any time, any day,” before adding one convenient qualification: “Just not today.”
Aries doubled down when questioned by MLW Insider Rich Bocchini, insisting that he dictated the terms of his title defenses and that Riddle hadn’t earned an opportunity. The champion even claimed he couldn’t be pressured into changing his mind, confidently declaring there was nothing Riddle could do to secure a title shot.
That confidence cracked during their latest confrontation on Fusion.
After the self-proclaimed “Phantom of the Opera Cup” dismissed the remaining tournament field as competitors fighting to finish second, Riddle stepped into the interview and reminded Aries that their paths could still cross. Aries responded by mocking Riddle’s MMA background, boasting about training in MMA, and invoking his purported friendship with certain fight promoters.
Riddle had heard enough. He challenged Aries to put the National Openweight Championship on the line before the Opera Cup could settle their differences.
When Aries attempted to walk away, Riddle’s parting insult brought the champion right back. Suddenly, the man who refused to be pressured was agreeing to the very fight he had insisted would never happen.
“You and me, SuperFight. It’s on,” Aries declared, promising to embarrass his challenger. Riddle’s response was considerably shorter: “Thanks, bro.”
Now the verbal sparring gives way to a championship fight with consequences far beyond bruised egos. Riddle brings punishing strikes, submission expertise, and the confidence of a fighter who has been demanding this opportunity. Aries brings a ruthless technical arsenal, a dangerous brainbuster, and a willingness to exploit any opening to keep his gold.
Has Riddle baited the champion into the biggest mistake of his reign? Or has Aries finally found the perfect stage to humiliate the challenger who wouldn’t leave him alone?
SUPER GRUDGES. SUPER RIVALS. SUPER DEBUTS. SUPER TITLE FIGHTS.
Watch Saturday Night SuperFight live Saturday, November 7 at 8 PM ET, exclusively on VEEPS.
Cicero Stadium is sold out—pre-order now and witness Riddle challenge Aries for the MLW National Openweight Championship.
