Matt Riddle Set to Defend MLW Heavyweight Title Against Donovan Dijak Amid Injury Concerns

Matt Riddle Set to Defend MLW Heavyweight Title Against Donovan Dijak Amid Injury Concerns

Matt Riddle faces a daunting challenge as he prepares to defend his Major League Wrestling heavyweight championship against Donovan Dijak at the upcoming Azteca Lucha pay-per-view. The event takes place Saturday night, and Riddle is entering the match with notable injuries that have raised questions about his ability to perform.

Riddle has held the MLW world heavyweight championship for nearly four months. He claimed the title after defeating Satoshi Kojima at Kings of Colosseum. Since that victorious moment, he has successfully defended his belt against Kojima again, as well as Alex Kane at SuperFight 6. Adding to his accolades, he recently triumphed in the Battle Riot match, affirming his position as a champion.

A Tough Opponent Awaits

Donovan Dijak may very well prove to be Riddle’s most formidable opponent yet. Since joining MLW last year, Dijak has maintained an impressive record of no pins or submissions against him. The only blemish came in December during MLW’s One Shot event, where he lost to Riddle by disqualification. However, Dijak has made crucial strategic moves recently, aligning himself with manager Saint Laurent and establishing an alliance with Bishop Dyer.

As Riddle prepares for this crucial title defense, he acknowledges the psychological and physical pressures that come with being a champion. In an interview with Fox News Digital, Riddle expressed awareness of the hurdles he is about to face.

Riddle Reflects on the Burden of Championship

Riddle stated, “At the end of the day, it’s kind of like motivation. 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. It’s just another day for the bro. It’s just another day for the MLW heavyweight champion of the world.”

Despite the challenges, Riddle remains confident in his abilities. He recalled the intensity of winning the Battle Riot, where he faced 39 opponents, including the legendary Rob Van Dam, but emerged victorious. Riddle believes this experience has prepared him for what lies ahead: “I think I’m ready. After winning the Battle Riot and having 39 other competitors there and still walking away as MLW world heavyweight champion, I’m confident, but not too confident, that I know what I have to do to get the job done.”

Injury Concerns for Riddle

As he gears up for the title match, Riddle is dealing with some physical setbacks. He suffered busted ribs following a brutal steel chair attack by Dijak. Nevertheless, Riddle shows determination, promising to defend his title despite the injuries.

“The ribs are a little banged up,” he acknowledged. “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. He’ll probably be trying to target them in this world title match in Chicago.”

Riddle has also been taking steps to prepare for this anticipated confrontation: “I’m looking out for that, but, at the same time, I’ve been doing some sit-ups. I’ve been trying to keep the abs tight.”

Anticipation Builds With Commentary Insights

Fans eager for insights into the match should take note of Austin Aries, who is set to commentate for the Azteca Lucha event. Aries made a notable return to MLW as a commentator at the recent Battle Riot and has shared his thoughts on the championship bout.

In discussing Riddle’s situation, Aries remarked, “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, everyone’s gunning for you. On top of that, you’re being asked to do media, you’re getting asked to be the face of the company. It’s a heavy burden to carry, and Riddle’s been carrying for a while.”

Aries expressed belief that this confrontation could be pivotal: “If there’s anyone that’s going to take the championship off of him, and if at any point it’s going to happen, Chicago coming up here very well could be that day.”

Azteca Lucha Awaits

As anticipation builds, Azteca Lucha is set to take place at Cicero Stadium in Chicago. Wrestling enthusiasts can catch the action live, with the event being available for viewing on YouTube.

The stakes are high as Riddle seeks to maintain his reign while facing an undefeated Dijak, who is poised for his chance at championship glory. This duality of circumstances creates an electric atmosphere that is sure to captivate audiences both in attendance and watching from home.

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