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Matt Riviera

Title History

  • TCW Heavyweight title ();
  • AWE International Heavyweight title defeating Frank Thornton (July 29, 2006);
  • TCW tag team titles w Greg Anthony defeating Dustin Heritage in a handicap match (October 20, 2012);
  • ECW Elite tag team titles w Greg Anthony defeating Blake Wilder & Purple Haze (May 18, 2013);
  • NWA Lone Star tag team titles winning a 3-way tag team match (March 29, 2014);
  • NWA Western States Heavyweight Title defeating Brian Kendrick in a tournament (January 17, 2015);
  • NWA Western States Heavyweight Title defeating Jeff Jarrett (May 17, 2015);
  • Lone Star tag team titles w Greg Anthony winning a 4-way tag team elimination match (July 12, 2015);

Career Highlights

  • Matt Riviera started his career in wrestling selling wrestling programs at age 15..
  • Matt Riviera promoted several shows under the Global Pro Wrestling banner at the age of 17..
  • April 8, 2000-Global Pro Wrestling: Matt Riviera debuted as the manager of Bill Ash to a victory over Ricky Justice…
  • March 3, 2001-Global Pro Wrestling: Matt Riviera is barred from ringside by Commissioner Harley Race for his constant interference..
  • March 21, 2001-World League Wrestling: Matt Riviera managed “Hacksaw” Butch Reed in to a victory over Bull Schmitt..
  • August 21, 2004: Matt Riviera turned pro at age 21 in Arkansas Association of Wrestling..
  • ~~~Matt Riviera debuted teaming with Running Wolf defeating Frank Thornton & “Big” Wes Jones..
  • Matt Riviera is currently a Junior in college and a major in Broadcast Journalism..
  • June 11, 2005–Razorback All-Star Wrestling: Matt Riviera beat Frank Thornton after reversing a cross body and holding the tights..
  • June 18, 2005–RASW: Matt Riviera wrestled Frank Thornton to a 10-minute draw with Harvey Whippleman as guest referee..
  • ~~~Jamie Jay & Jamaican Kid & Frank Thornton defeated Matt Riviera & Don Bass & Chris Bass by Disqualification…
  • June 25, 2005–Razorback All-Star Wrestling: Matt Riviera beat Dustin Nazareth after reversing a Pat O’Conner roll into a school boy.
  • July 3, 2005–RASW: Matt Riviera pinned The Jamaican Kid after putting his feet on the ropes for leverage…
  • ~~~Later on in the same TV Taping: Matt Riviera fought Frank Thornton to a double count out..
  • November 11, 2005–Mid-States Wrestling: Frank Thornton pinned Matt Riviera with a school boy..
  • March 17, 2006–NWA Mid-South Wrestling: Matt Riviera wrestled Frank Thornton to a 15-minute draw..
  • April 15, 2006–All-American Championship Wrestling: Matt Riviera pinned Frank Thornton..
  • July 15, 2006–Mid-South Wrestling TV Taping: Matt Riviera pinned Gary Gram after a One Night Stand..
  • ~~~Later on same taping Matt Riviera lost to Tom Jones via disqualification when Riviera bodyslammed the ref..
  • July 28, 2006–NWA Universal: Slam Shady pinned Matt Riviera..
  • July 29, 2006–Arkansas Wrestling Entertainment: Matt Riviera beat Frank Thornton to become the 1st AWE International Champion..
  • August 17, 2006–NWA Mid-South Wrestling: Matt Riviera pinned Frank Thornton..
  • August 25, 2006–NWA Universal: Spoiler 2000 & Bash beat Matt Riviera & Kraig Keesman in a Coal Miner’s Glove on a Pole match..
  • October 25, 2006–UWF06: Aaron Neil vs. Matt Riviera ended in a double disqualification.
  • April 5, 2007–West Virginia Mountaineer Wrestling: Matt Riviera beat Nightmare | Matt Riviera beat Rodney Grimes..
  • May 25, 2007–UWF06: Montego Seeka defeated Matt Riviera.
  • June 30, 2007–UWF06: Matt Riviera defeated Javi Hernandez.
  • December 5, 2009–TWA: Matt Riviera defeated Chad Deity.
  • June 6, 2010–TWA: Demolition (Ax & Smash) defeated Jeff Jett & Matt Riviera.
  • June 12, 2010–TCW: Jay Lethal & Matt Riviera defeated The Dark Circle (Apocalypse & Tim Storm) by disqualification. Apocalypse & Tim Storm retains the tag titles.
  • June 25, 2010–TCW: Matt Riviera defeated Tim Storm by count-out.
  • August 20, 2010–TCW: Lorelei Lee & Matt Riviera defeated Alan Steel & Malia Hosaka.
  • August 21, 2010–TCW: Alan Steel & Malia Hosaka defeated Lorelei Lee & Matt Riviera.
  • October 23, 2010–NMW: Danny Matthews, Franco D’Angelo & Scott McKenzie defeated The Jet Setters (Dustin Heritage & Jack Legacy) & Matt Riviera.
  • November 19, 2010–NWA Wrestle Birmingham: Bushwhacker Luke defeated Matt Riviera.
  • December 18, 2010–NMW: Franco D’Angelo defeated Matt Riviera
  • February 26, 2011–NMW: Jerry Lawler defeated Matt Riviera.
  • March 26, 2011–SAW TV: David Young defeated Matt Riviera.
  • April 18, 2011–FSW: Franco D’Angelo defeated Matt Riviera.
  • June 11, 2011–TCW: Matt Riviera defeated Prince Al Farat by disqualification.
  • July 8, 2011–USWO/ATL: LT Falk defeated Matt Riviera.
  • October 14, 2011–TCW: Matt Riviera defeated Dustin Heritage. Genetic Perfection (Alan Steel & Michael Barry) defeated The Natural State Connection (Matt Riviera & Tim Storm) to win the tag team titles.
  • March 3, 2012–MPW TV Taping: Matt Murphy defeated Matt Riviera.
  • April 7, 2012–TCW: Matt Riviera defeated Jeff Jett.
  • June 2, 2012–TCW: Matt Riviera defeated Greg King.
  • July 4, 2012–TCW: Killer Nikles & Matt Riviera defeated Greg King Jr. & Moe Stegall.
  • August 11, 2012–TCW: Matt Riviera defeated Steve Anthony.
  • August 25, 2012–TCW: Tim Storm defeated Matt Riviera by disqualification.
  • September 15, 2012–TCW: Matt Riviera defeated Angel.
  • October 20, 2012–TCW: Greg Anthony & Matt Riviera defeated Dustin Heritage in a handicap match to win the tag titles.
  • December 8, 2012–TCW: The Empire (Greg Anthony & Matt Riviera) defeated Bobby Lambert & Sigmon to retain the tag titles.
  • February 9, 2013–TCW: Barrett Brown, John Saxon & Michael Barry defeated Bob Orton Jr. & The Empire (Greg Anthony & Matt Riviera). John Saxon & Sigmon defeated The Empire (Greg Anthony & Matt Riviera).
  • March 30, 2013–TCW: Barrett Brown, John Saxon & Sigmon defeated Jon Omari & The Empire (Greg Anthony & Matt Riviera) in a tag team elimination match.
  • April 13, 2013–TCW: Matt Riviera defeated Angel.
  • April 15, 2013–Vendetta Pro: Matt Riviera defeated B. Brian Blair.
  • May 18, 2013–ECW: Greg Anthony & Matt Riviera defeated Blake Wilder & Purple Haze to win the tag team titles.
  • May 19, 2013–ECW: Blake Wilder & Purple Haze defeated Greg Anthony & Matt Riviera to win the tag team titles.
  • June 1, 2013–TCW: John Saxon & Steve Anthony defeated Greg Anthony & Matt Riviera by disqualification.
  • June 16, 2013–ECW: Matt Riviera defeated Purple Haze.
  • July 14, 2013–ECW: Purple Haze defeated Matt Riviera.
  • August 25, 2013–ECW: Arkansas Assassin (Tim Storm) & Matt Riviera defeated Purple Haze & Scott Phoenix to retain the tag titles.
  • September 21, 2013–ECW: Scott Phoenix defeated Matt Riviera.
  • September 22, 2013–ECW: Matt Riviera & Tim Storm defeated Mustang Mike & Scott Phoenix to retain the tag titles.
  • November 3, 2013–ECW: Olympus & Purple Haze defeated Matt Riviera & Tim Storm.
  • November 30, 2013–ECW: Purple Haze defeated Matt Riviera.
  • December 1, 2013–ECW: Purple Haze defeated Matt Riviera & Tim Storm by disqualification in a handicap match. Riviera & Storm retains the Elita tag team titles.
  • December 28, 2013–ECW: Olympus & Purple Haze defeated Matt Riviera & Tim Storm to win the tag team titles.
  • January 25, 2014–ECW: Matt Riviera defeated Roosevelt.
  • January 26, 2014–ECW: Matt Riviera defeated Stan Sweetan by disqualification.
  • February 16, 2014–ECW: Matt Riviera defeated Max Maverick.
  • February 21, 2014–NWA Texoma: Matt Riviera defeated Andy Dalton by disqualification.
  • March 8, 2014–ECW: Matt Riviera defeated Shane Williams.
  • March 21, 2014–NWA Texoma: Andy Dalton defeated Matt Riviera by disqualification.
  • March 22, 2014–ECW: Sigmon defeated Matt Riviera.
  • March 23, 2014–NWA Elite: John Saxon defeated Matt Riviera by disqualification to retain the heavyweight title.
  • March 29, 2014–NWA Houston: Matt Riviera defeated El Coyote. The Empire (Greg Anthony & Matt Riviera) defeated The Sons Of Texas (Alex Reigns & James Claxton) and Carson & Mike Dell in a 3-way tag team match to win the NWA Lone Star tag team titles.
  • April 4, 2014–Mid-South Legends Fanfest: The Empire (Greg Anthony, Matt Riviera & Tim Storm) defeated Americos, Andy Dalton & Tommy Dreamer.
  • April 13, 2014–ECW: John Saxon, Matt Riviera & Tim Storm defeated Apocalypse, Minotaur & Stan Sweetan.
  • April 26, 2014–NWA Houston: The Empire (Greg Anthony & Matt Riviera) defeated Real America (Chaz Taylor & Hambone) to retain the NWA Lone Star tag team titles.
  • May 31, 2014–NWA Houston: Empire (Greg Anthony & Matt Riviera) defeated Americos & David Duperon to retain the NWA Lone Star tag team titles.
  • June 2, 2014–Vendetta Pro: The Empire (Greg Anthony & Matt Riviera) defeated Americos & Matt Hardy to retain the NWA Lone Star tag team titles.
  • June 8, 2014–IHWExperience: Americos & Seth Shai defeated Matt Riviera & Tim Storm. Matt Riviera defeated Ashton Jacobs to retain the heavyweight title.
  • June 28, 2014–NWA Houston: The Empire (Greg Anthony & Matt Riviera) defeated David Duperon & Hambone.
  • July 4, 2014–NWA Summer Clash: The Empire (Greg Anthony, Matt Riviera & Tim Storm) defeated The Rock ‘n’ Roll Express (Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson) & Americos.
  • August 2, 2014–NWA Houston: Matt Riviera defeated Ken Johnson by count-out.
  • August 3, 2014–NWA Mid-Atlantic: Matt Riviera defeated B. Brian Blair.
  • August 23, 2014–NWA Houston: The Empire (Greg Anthony & Matt Riviera) defeated Carson & Rudy Russo to retain the NWA Lone Star tag team titles.
  • September 19, 2014–NWA Texoma: Matt Riviera defeated Rob Conway by disqualification. Conway retains the NWA World heavyweight title.
  • September 20, 2014–NWA Texoma: Matt Riviera defeated Ashton Jacobs.
  • September 28, 2014–IHWE: Thomas Shire defeated Matt Riviera to win the heavyweight title.
  • October 25, 2014–NWA Houston: David Duperon & Rudy Russo defeated The Empire (Greg Anthony & Matt Riviera) to win the NWA Lone Star tag team titles.
  • January 17, 2015–Vendetta Pro: Matt Riviera defeated Americos in the 1st round. Matt Riviera defeated Rik Luxury by count-out in the semi-finals. Matt Riviera defeated Brian Kendrick to win the tournament and vacant NWA Western States Heavyweight Title.
  • March 12, 2015–LSCW: Colt Cabana defeated Matt Riviera.
  • March 27, 2015–Vendetta Pro: Matt Riviera defeated Chris Mordetzky to retain the NWA Western States Heavyweight Title.
  • April 13, 2015–Vendetta Pro: Matt Riviera defeated Americos to retain the NWA Western States Heavyweight Title.
  • May 15, 2015–Vendetta Pro: Jeff Jarrett defeated Matt Riviera to win the NWA Western States Heavyweight Title.
  • May 16, 2015–Vendetta Pro: Jeff Jarrett defeated Matt Riviera to retain the NWA Western States Heavyweight Title.
  • May 17, 2015–Vendetta Pro: Matt Riviera defeated Jeff Jarrett to win the NWA Western States Heavyweight Title.
  • May 30, 2015–LSCW: The Empire (Greg Anthony & Matt Riviera) defeated Cherry Ramons & Rudy Russo.
  • June 12, 2015–Vendetta Pro: Matt Riviera defeated Brian Kendrick to retain the NWA Western States Heavyweight Title.
  • July 12, 2015–LSCW: The Empire (Greg Anthony & Matt Riviera) defeated The Sons Of Texas (Killer McKenzie & Moonshine Mantell) and Real Nigeria (Chaz Taylor & Hambone) and Americos & David Duperon in a 4-way tag team elimination match to win the tag team titles.
  • August 8, 2015–Vendetta Pro: Matt Riviera defeated Carlito to retain the NWA Western States Heavyweight Title.
  • August 15, 2015–LSCW: The Empire (Greg Anthony & Matt Riviera) defeated The Heatseekers (Elliot Russell & Sigmon) to retain the tag team titles.
  • August 30, 2015–AML: The Heatseekers (Elliot Russell & Sigmon) defeated The Empire (Greg Anthony & Matt Riviera).
  • September 18, 2015–Vendetta Pro: Matt Riviera defeated Sigmon by disqualification to retain the NWA Western States Heavyweight Title.
  • September 26, 2015–LSCW: Luther Black & Silky Baines defeated The Empire (Greg Anthony & Matt Riviera) to win the tag team titles.
  • September 27, 2015–AML: The Empire (Greg Anthony & Matt Riviera) defeated The Washington Bullets (Jon Williams & Trey Williams).
  • October 30, 2015–Vendetta Pro: Ricky Ruffin defeated Matt Riviera to win the NWA Western States Heavyweight Title.
  • December 4, 2015–NWA Mid-South: The Iron Empire (Matt Riviera & Rob Conway) defeated The Heatseekers (Elliot Russell & Sigmon) to win the NWA world tag team titles.
  • January 8, 2016–Vendetta Pro: Ricky Ruffin defeated Matt Riviera to retain the NWA Western States Heavyweight Title.
  • February 26, 2016–BTW/OMEGA: Matt Riviera defeated Michael Barry.
  • February 27, 2016–BTW: Chick Donovan & Matt Riviera defeated Harlem Bravado & Michael Barry.
  • March 31, 2016–NWA/IHWE: The Iron Empire (Matt Riviera & Rob Conway) defeated Outlaw Inc. (Andy Dalton & Barrett Brown) to retain the NWA world tag team titles.
  • April 11, 2016–Vendetta Pro: The Iron Empire (Matt Riviera & Rob Conway) defeated The Ballard Brothers (Shane Ballard & Shannon Ballard) to retain the NWA World tag team titles.
  • May 7, 2016–NWA Mid-South: The Iron Empire (Matt Riviera & Rob Conway) defeated Jeremy Moore & Michael Barry to retain the NWA World tag team titles.
  • May 20, 2016–Old School Wrestling @ Professional Wrestling Hall Of Fame Weekend: Greg Anthony defeated Matt Riviera to retain the NWA National heavyweight title.
  • June 11, 2016–Mid States Wrestling Legends Of Wrestling: Matt Riviera defeated Americos.
  • September 25, 2016–Diamond Stars Wrestling: The Iron Empire (Matt Riviera & Rob Conway) defeated Masakatsu Funaki & Rob Terry to retain the NWA world tag team titles.
  • November 4, 2016–NWA Mid-South: Sigmon defeated Matt Riviera.
  • April 14, 2017–NWA Mid-South: Greg Anthony defeated Matt Riviera to retain the Legends & Lions title.
  • May 20, 2017–NWA Mid-South: Matt Riviera defeated Matt Taylor. Greg Anthony, Johnny Morton and Matt Taylor defeated Jakob Edwinn, Matt Riviera and Mr. Chris by disqualification.
  • May 27, 2017–NWA Mid-South: Matt Riviera defeated Johnny Morton by disqualification.
  • April 30, 2018–BVW/GRPW/Vendetta Pro: Matt Riviera defeated Johnny Morton.
Updated:

Social Media

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Trained By

Bill Ash

Debut

August 21, 2004

Birthday

May 18, 1983

Hometown

Russellville, Arkansas, USA

Gender

Male

Height

6'2"

Weight

232 lbs

Finishing Move(s)

One Night Stand (Downward Spiral)

Favorite Move(s)

Side-Salto Backbreaker,
Running Forearm,
Kneelift,
Neckbreaker,
Spinebuster,
Forearm Smash,
European Uppercut,
Abdominal Stretch,
Side-Salto Backbreaker

Notable Feuds

"Big" Wes Jones

Status

Living