Victoria Was Set For WWE Return, Matt Riddle Lawsuit Update

Victoria was going to make her return to WWE as a trainer, but the company made a last minute change. Also, the current status on the lawsuit involving Matt Riddle and Samantha Tavel.

Victoria Was Set For WWE Return

Lisa Marie Varon, better known as Victoria during her WWE days, nearly was brought back to work with current talent.

In an interview with Wrestling Inc., the former superstar revealed that she was asked to be a trainer. Instead, Varon passed on the offer, which went to Sarah Stock. 

“I talked (to WWE) a long time ago when I got divorced,” she said. “Moved back to California, was living with my brother, Mike.

“I didn’t want to unpack because they contacted me about possibly bringing me in as a trainer.”

Varon says she was just unsure of what her next step was going to be at that time.

“And then I was calling, ‘Hello guys. I’m living out of a suitcase. I have one suitcase here at my brother’s house. Do I get an apartment?'” she said. “‘Even though they’re open arms. ‘You stay as long as you want.’ But I’m an adult. I need my own place.

“I need to set my stuff out. Do I unpack?”

By that time, Varon made a call to Fit Finlay to see what the plans were. 

“He goes, ‘They already hired somebody for the training spot. They went with Sarah Stock,'” Varon said. “Which is a great choice. I love her. She’s gonna be a future guest on our show. I just wished I got a callback. Just to say, ‘Hey, we’re going to go with somebody else. You can go ahead.'”

Sarah Stock was let go by WWE earlier in the year because of  COVID-19 cuts. Then, she was arrested but the matter was quickly resolved in court. 

Matt Riddle Lawsuit Update

Matt Riddle’s lawsuit continues to remain open from an incident involving Samantha Tavel, also known as Candy Cartwright.

Tavel alleges that Riddle forced himself on her, putting Riddle on notice as part of the #SpeakingOut movement earlier this year. 

During an October press conference, Tavel announced that she was filing a lawsuit against both the WWE and EVOLVE for $10 million each for actual damages, damages from emotional distress, punitive damages, attorney fees and costs. 

WWE made the move to bring the suit to federal level following Tavel’s attorney presenting it. According to Heel By Nature, they have obtained consent from Riddle, Gabe Sapolsky and WWN owner Salem Hamaoui.

In the lawsuit, Tavel claims she was set for events with WWE and EVOLVE this past January. She claims Riddle told her those jobs would be lost if she didn’t perform sexual acts on him.

Tavel also claims that Riddle told both WWE and EVOLVE that he did not want to work with her. She says she was told there were “issues with talent” and was not booked. 

From Law.com, the decision to move to federal court brings “a potentially greater chance of winning a motion to dismiss or summary judgement motion, and a more structured discovery format under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.”