Worldwide-With each passing year, Riviera gains more and more momentive. 2006 proved
to be his most successful year to date and 2007 looks to be even brighter. He started out the year making his National
Wrestling Alliance debut for NWA Mid-South Wrestling. Then, Oklahoma got its first taste of the sexiest man in
pro wrestling. The year showed improvement in every aspect of Riviera's performance. He gained 20 lbs. of
bulk and muscle and stepped up his flexability through yoga and hard work. Now lets take a look at the top 5 moments
in 2006 for Matt Riviera.
5) Riviera wins the AWE International Title...
The match took place in Morrilton, Arkansas on July 29th and saw Riviera square off against
Frank Thornton to determine the first ever AWE International Champion. Riviera won a hard fought bout with the One Night
Stand and afterwards took the mic and in true "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers fashion said "To a nicer guy it couldn't have
happened,".
4) Pinned "The Sensational" Jamie Jay...
The sensational one didn't know what hit him when Riviera got the win after the One Night
Stand. Jay, who had tryout matches with the WWE and a dark match vs. MNM, was Riviera's biggest opponent of the year.
3) Replaced a Memphis legend and fought a former OVW star to a DCO...
The semi-main event in West Memphis was scheduled to be "Superstar" Bill Dundee vs. Derrick
King, but Dundee failed to appear. Riviera stepped up to the plate and with Honest John at his side, fought Derrick
King to a double count out in a match that totally stole the show.
2) The formation of Reckage & Romance
Jeff Jett was one of Riviera's favorite wrestlers in the days of ICPW. He would go
to the matches when he was 15 and get Jeff's autograph and cheer him on against whoever his opponent for the evening would
be. Little did they know, that in 2006 they would become tag team partners. Reckage & Romance is the most
dominant team in Mid-South Wrestling. They forced Frank Thornton into an early retirement after attacking his leg with
a steel chair.
1) Riviera makes the PWI Top 500
One of his big goals ever since first picking up a wrestling magazine was to make the Top
500. This year, coming in at #486, Riviera made that dream come true.
What does 2007 hold? Riviera is already in negotiations with AACW, UWF, WLW, and promotions
in Kansas, Florida, and Texas. He already has dates scheduled for Mid-South Wrestling (AR) and NWA Mid-South Wrestling (TN).
2007 looks to be a bright year for the man himself.
-Grace Walker
MattRiviera.com News Editor
