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WWE star Matt Riddle dismissed a restraining order petition days against Candi Cartwright (Samantha Tavel) days before a scheduled court date. Cartwright accused Riddle of sexual assault earlier this summer during the #SpeakingOut movement.
Matt Riddle’s attorney, Daniel Rose, issued the following statement.
On July 14, 2020, our client Matthew Riddle only sought a cyberstalking injunction against Samantha Tavel. The Court set it for hearing as they found probable cause for the matter to be heard. It was represented to our client and our firm that Ms Tavel had moved on with her life and our client would no longer need to continue with the cyberstalking injunction. Our client then dismissed the cyberstalking injunction (without prejudice) which left all of his legal remedies open and allowed for closure. Today, our client has elected to file a civil suit against Ms Tavel for her continued false and defamatory statements that our client sexually assaulted her. No further statements will be made on social media on this matter at this time.
Matt Riddle claims he met Samantha Tavel in 2016. They began having an affair in November 2017, then tried to break up with her in June 2018. The relationship continued until July 2019. He alleges she stalked, and harassed him and his wife. He then says he blocked her on social media, and changed his phone number.
The restraining order he originally filed had barred Tavel from going to the WWE Performance Center, but not his residence.
Following the restraining order petition being dropped, Tavel issued the following.
WWE Wrestler Matthew Riddle Dismisses Claims Against Professional Wrestler Who Came Forward About Being Sexually Assaulted By Him
Wrestler Samantha Tavel, known professionally as Candy Cartwright, came forward in June about being sexually assaulted by Riddle; has since experienced online harassment, lost employment opportunities
ORANGE COUNTY, FL — Wrestler Samantha Tavel, represented by her attorney Allison S. Lovelady of Shullman Fugate PLLC, today responded to World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) wrestler Matthew Riddle dismissing the claims he filed against her after she spoke out about being sexually assaulted by him. Riddle dismissed the injunction earlier this month, days before it was set to go to trial.
This June, Tavel came forward on Twitter to describe being sexually assaulted by Riddle in May of 2018. She was one of dozens of women who joined the #SpeakingOut movement on social media to draw attention to the culture of sexual harassment, abuse and misogyny at all levels of pro-wrestling.
Thereafter, Riddle filed a petition for injunction that included false accusations, including that Tavel attended an event in Orlando, Florida where Riddle was present, although she was not even in the state at the time. Riddle’s attorney, Daniel J. Rose, also posted a press release regarding the injunction on Twitter, which resulted in online harassment and retaliation against Tavel.
Tavel has also lost employment, including an opportunity to work with the WWE, and has struggled to find work since. Riddle continues to work for the WWE as a featured performer, and has even alluded to the allegations in his act.
“I’m relieved that these claims were dismissed, but the damage to my reputation and career remains. I came forward to prevent this from happening to other women, and will continue to fight for justice,” said Tavel. “It’s not easy to see my name smeared on social media or wake up to hate messages and threats. But I am speaking up because I was inspired by the brave women who came before me. My hope is that other victims of sexual violence feel empowered to share the truth about their experiences as I have done and will continue to do.”
Tavel is supported by the TIME’S UP Legal Defense Fund (TULDF). With support from TULDF, Tavel and her attorney were able to aggressively push back on the claims, resulting in their dismissal.
I would like to thank @TIMESUPLDF for helping me through these difficult months and helping me push back against these claims. I also want to thank everyone who supported me in this. I appreciate every single one of you. pic.twitter.com/nSJUYXByQu
— Candy Cartwright (@CandyCartwright) September 17, 2020
David Bixenspan of Babyface v. Heel has compiled key court records, which can be viewed below.