Matt Riddle has ditched the long hair that became synonymous with his “Original Bro” identity, debuting a fresh, short cut on Instagram as he builds his post-WWE chapter on the independent scene. The reveal arrived after a night of wrestling in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on June 12, giving fans a markedly different version of the wrestler than they are used to seeing.
The long hair has been a recognizable part of Riddle’s presentation for years, so the change reads as more than a cosmetic tweak. It is a visible marker of reinvention for a wrestler actively carving out a new identity away from WWE.
Riddle shared the photo of his new look in a post, according to Matt Riddle on Instagram, keeping the caption short and to the point.
“New Haircut and another great night of wrestling,” Riddle wrote.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DZgbOUgOXU8
The post pulled in plenty of attention, with fans and fellow wrestlers jumping into the comments. Some praised the change, while others joked about how different Riddle looks without the long hair.
Riddle has stayed busy since his WWE departure, continuing to wrestle and keep his name out there on the independent scene. The new look fits a chapter that has already seen him experiment with his presentation, including the heel turn he discussed when he thought MLW was about to fire him.
For a performer rebuilding his identity outside of a major promotion, a fresh haircut is a small but telling signal that Riddle is leaning into the next phase of his career on his own terms.