Keith Lee Basks in the NXT Spotlight Again as Matt Riddle’s Tag Team Partner
Courtesy of WWE
For a third consecutive week, Keith Lee is a prominent part of NXT programming.
His momentum builds Wednesday night at 8 p.m. ET on USA Network as he teams with Matt Riddle against one of the best tag teams in the world, Kyle O’Reilly and Bobby Fish.
“A lot of people want me to tag with Mr. Dijakovic, but my partner is going to be Matt Riddle,” said Lee. “Mix together the explosiveness of Riddle and the ‘Limitless One’ himself, and it’s going to be quite a party.”
Lee wrestled Dominik Dijakovic two weeks ago, and last week came up short in a triple threat match for the North American title against Roderick Strong and Dijakovic. But his story now evolves to two other members of The Undisputed Era.
Lee and Riddle make for an interesting pair, as both blazed incredible paths through the independents to wrestling stardom. O’Reilly and Fish have teamed together since 2012, putting on memorable matches in North America and Japan as part of New Japan Pro Wrestling, Ring of Honor, and now NXT.
“Fish and O’Reilly are well-trained martial artists and lethal in the ring,” said Lee. “Their ability is second to none, they’re intelligent and extremely talented. But Matt Riddle and I are going to dismantle them tonight.”
One of the biggest stories in wrestling outside the ring this week was NXT wrestler Jordan Myles taking WWE to task over a racist t-shirt design. Lee, one of the few black wrestlers in NXT, was asked how he feels about the way he and his character are treated in WWE.
“My character isn’t a character. Keith Lee is Keith Lee,” said Lee. “There’s not really a character involved here, so it’s hard for me to really answer that. I’m me, and the only thing that was ever given to me was ‘Bask In My Glory,’ which is thanks to Dusty Rhodes. So I can’t really have qualms about how I represent myself, because it’s by choice.
“In terms of story, it’s taken some time to get where I am. But with the work and buzz I’ve created, I’ve put myself in a position where I’m given opportunities that I feel like I deserve. My job is to continue to produce results, ones that continue my narrative—that Keith Lee is everything he says he is, and then some.”
The past two weeks have been monumental for Lee, as he has been provided an opportunity on live television to prove that he is among the most valuable assets in pro wrestling as a big man with outrageous athleticism.
“I’m going to put on matches that are entertaining, explosive, and high impact,” said Lee. “It’s taken some time, but I’m working on putting them in a position where I have to be given the reigns. I am going to put on the greatest thing this product can produce.”
This week’s tag match is another chance for Lee to showcase his ability to deliver top tier matches. If the interest continues to follow, it won’t be long before Lee is wearing his first title in NXT.
“Wearing gold in WWE, period, is an eventful undertaking,” said Lee. “It’s something that sets you apart. It’s something I will earn.
“Regardless of what anyone says, I am more than worthy to be a champion. I’ve said this before, but any championship I wear is going to be elevated. Everything about me is champion. Winning a championship tells that same narrative, and it is proof that I am who and what I say I am. It’s cliché, but it’s also very true. At the end of the day, it’s, as some would say, going to be best for business.”
Justin Barrasso can be reached at JBarrasso@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @JustinBarrasso.
