Matt Duffield
Matt Duffield (born May 18, 1983) is an American Republican politician and businessman who has represented District 53 in the Arkansas House of Representatives since January 2023, encompassing Russellville and surrounding areas in Pope County.[1][2] A graduate of Harding University with a degree in broadcast journalism, Duffield previously pursued a two-decade career in professional wrestling under the ring name Matt Riviera, where he secured the NWA World Tag Team Championship three times alongside Rob Conway as part of The Iron Empire, alongside other regional titles in promotions affiliated with the National Wrestling Alliance.[2][3][4] Transitioning from wrestling and brief appearances in reality television and acting, Duffield established himself as a small business owner, serving as president of Big River Materials and vice president of the family-operated Duffield Gravel Company in Russellville, focusing on aggregate materials and construction supply.[3][5] In politics, he has prioritized legislation enhancing law enforcement tools against animal cruelty, notably sponsoring and passing Daisy's Law (Act 688 of 2025), which empowers officers to temporarily seize abused dogs and cats for relocation to shelters, named after his late rescue dog and marking the first such successful reform in years.[6][7][8] His tenure has also involved advocacy against state-mandated water fluoridation and calls for repealing incentives for cryptocurrency mining operations amid local concerns over energy use and noise in Pope County.[9][10] Duffield's public profile gained attention in September 2025 when two women suspected of involvement in thefts were arrested shortly after departing his Russellville residence, prompting local media speculation about potential links to unrelated allegations of illicit activities, though no charges have been filed against him as of October 2025.[11] Known for his outsider perspective as a former entertainer entering conservative politics, Duffield emphasizes economic development, public safety, and limited government intervention in community affairs.[12][13]Early life and education
Family background and upbringing
Matt Duffield was born on May 18, 1983, in Russellville, Arkansas, a small city in Pope County with a population of approximately 28,000 as of the 2020 census.[1] He was raised there by his mother, Susan Duffield, in a family tied to the local aggregates industry.[14] A key figure in Duffield's early years was his uncle Ronnie Duffield, who provided significant support during his childhood alongside Duffield's aunt, Susan (distinct from his mother).[15] Ronnie Duffield founded the Duffield Gravel Company in 1971 with one location and four employees; the firm grew into a multi-site operation focused on mineral mining and quarrying, reflecting the family's entrepreneurial roots in Russellville's resource-based economy.[16][17] Duffield later joined the family business as vice president, underscoring its enduring influence on his upbringing and career path.[13] Ronnie Duffield, born in 1940, passed away on June 6, 2020, after decades building the company and maintaining community ties in the quarrying sector.[18] This family environment, rooted in hard work and local commerce, shaped Duffield's formative years in rural Arkansas before his interests shifted toward athletics in adolescence.[13]Athletic beginnings and local influences
Duffield developed an early fascination with professional wrestling during his teenage years in Russellville, Arkansas, after watching televised matches that ignited his passion for the sport.[13] This interest prompted him to immerse himself in the local wrestling community, beginning at age 14 by photographing events and designing promotional programs for independent shows in the area.[19] By age 17, Duffield had advanced to promoting his own wrestling event, gaining hands-on experience in the logistical and performative aspects of the industry within Arkansas's regional circuit.[19] These activities exposed him to the gritty, community-driven nature of indie wrestling promotions, fostering skills in event management and performer interaction that influenced his later career trajectory. Seeking formal athletic training, he enrolled in a wrestling school in Paris, Arkansas, located in Logan County, though he initially struggled with persistence, quitting the program three times before recommitting.[13] The proximity of this training facility to his hometown allowed ongoing involvement in local matches and events, where Arkansas's independent scene—characterized by small venues and regional talent—served as a foundational influence, emphasizing resilience and self-reliance over mainstream exposure.[19]Professional wrestling career
Entry into wrestling and NWA tenure
Duffield entered the professional wrestling industry during his mid-teens, beginning by selling programs at events in Arkansas.[20] By age 17 in 2000, he had promoted his first wrestling show under the Global Pro Wrestling banner.[21] Transitioning to on-camera roles, he debuted as a manager on April 8, 2000, for Global Pro Wrestling, guiding Bill Ash to a victory over Ricky Justice.[21] Under the ring name Matt Riviera, he began in-ring competition in the early 2000s, training under figures such as Bill Ash, Tim Storm, and Jeff Jett, with early matches including a Global Pro Wrestling bout on March 3, 2001.[21][22] Riviera's involvement with the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) spanned multiple territories in the 2010s, where he primarily competed in tag team divisions.[21] As part of the stable The Empire, he partnered with Greg Anthony to capture the NWA Lone Star Tag Team Championship, defending it successfully on August 23, 2014, against Carson and Rudy Russo in NWA Houston.[21] He also secured the NWA Elite Tag Team Championship twice, including once alongside Anthony.[20] Later, teaming with Rob Conway as The Iron Empire—a combination of Conway's "Ironman" persona and Riviera's Empire faction—Riviera won the NWA World Tag Team Championship on December 4, 2015.[23] This partnership marked a highlight of his NWA tenure, contributing to multiple reigns with the promotion's top tag titles across his career.[24]Championship reigns and major storylines
Duffield, wrestling as Matt Riviera, achieved prominence in the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) through his partnership with Rob Conway, forming the tag team The Iron Empire. On December 7, 2015, The Iron Empire defeated The Heatseekers (Elliot Russell and Sigmon) to capture the NWA World Tag Team Championship in their first reign, holding the titles for approximately 90 days before losing them.[25][26] The duo regained the titles on September 10, 2016, defending against challengers including Barrett Brown and "Dirty" Andy Dalton at events like the NWA Parade of Champions 2K16, emphasizing a storyline of iron-fisted dominance and resilience in the tag division.[27] This partnership yielded three NWA World Tag Team Championship reigns in total, positioning Riviera as a key figure in NWA's territorial tag team landscape during the mid-2010s. In singles competition, Riviera secured the NWA Western States Heavyweight Championship on January 17, 2015, by defeating Brian Kendrick in a tournament final to claim the vacant title, holding it until May 15, 2015.[28][21] This reign highlighted his "Loverboy" heel persona, a self-proclaimed charismatic antagonist who leveraged arrogance and showmanship in defenses, contributing to narratives of personal bravado clashing with established competitors. Earlier, in 2014, he co-won the NWA Lone Star Tag Team Championship with Greg Anthony from March 29 to October 25, marking a transitional storyline toward his more dominant Iron Empire phase.[28] Major storylines often revolved around Riviera's heel tactics, including opportunistic alliances and betrayals, as seen in his 2015 push for an NWA World Heavyweight Championship opportunity following his Western States success, where promoters debated his credentials against global challengers like Masahiro Chono.[29] These arcs underscored themes of ambition and territorial grit, with Riviera portraying a cunning opportunist in independent NWA-affiliated promotions, though defenses frequently involved multi-man tournaments or heated rivalries rather than prolonged world-title pursuits.Key feuds and alliances
In 2015, Matt Riviera partnered with Rob Conway to form the tag team The Iron Empire, a dominant heel faction managed at times by Jim Cornette, which captured the NWA World Tag Team Championship on December 5 by defeating The Krimson Koven in a steel cage match at an NWA event.[25] The duo held the titles for 90 days, defending successfully against challengers including Jeremy Moore and Michael Barry on May 7, 2016, in NWA Mid-South, solidifying their status as a premier NWA tag team through aggressive, power-based tactics.[21] This alliance marked a peak in Riviera's career, leveraging Conway's prior WWE experience to elevate their joint profile across multiple NWA territories.[30] Riviera's most notable individual feud unfolded against WWE Hall of Famer Jerry "The King" Lawler, spanning from 2017 to 2020 primarily in Championship Wrestling of Arkansas (CWA) events intertwined with NWA storylines. The rivalry ignited on September 16, 2017, when Riviera interfered in Lawler's NWA Worlds Heavyweight Title match, escalating into personal attacks including a joint assault by Riviera and Doug Gilbert on Lawler during a USA Championship Wrestling TV segment in 2020.[31] Key confrontations culminated in a high-stakes Arkansas Heavyweight Title vs. Career match on January 18, 2020, at CWA's "No Surrender," where Lawler defeated Riviera, ending the immediate threat to Lawler's in-ring future but extending the animosity until its conclusion on September 26, 2020.[32] This prolonged heel-face dynamic drew on Lawler's Memphis wrestling legacy against Riviera's cocky "LVR Boy" persona, generating significant regional buzz through interferences and no-holds-barred brawls. Earlier in his independent circuit days, Riviera engaged in rivalries such as with "Big" Wes Jones, a recurring opponent in Mid-South promotions that honed his villainous character through hardcore-style matches, though these lacked the national crossover appeal of the Lawler conflict.[21] Overall, Riviera's alliances emphasized tag dominance via The Iron Empire, while feuds like Lawler's highlighted his ability to draw veteran stars into personal vendettas, contributing to his reputation as a versatile territorial performer before retirement.Retirement and legacy in wrestling
Duffield announced his retirement from professional wrestling on January 1, 2021, concluding a career that spanned over 19 years since his debut in May 2002.[33][34] This decision marked the end of his in-ring performances under the ring name "Loverboy" Matt Riviera, a persona characterized as a flamboyant heel in independent and NWA-affiliated circuits.[13] In terms of legacy, Riviera's most notable achievements include three reigns as NWA World Tag Team Champion alongside Rob Conway as part of the team The Iron Empire, a accomplishment recognized across wrestling databases for its occurrence in NWA promotions.[35][20] He also secured the NWA Western States Heavyweight Championship twice and other regional titles such as the NWA Lone Star Tag Team Championship, contributing to his reputation as a versatile competitor in territorial wrestling.[35] Additionally, Riviera led the stable The Empire and promoted wrestling events, skills he later attributed to enhancing his promotional abilities in subsequent endeavors. Riviera's career emphasized brawling and powerhouse styles within mid-level promotions, where he built a following through consistent defenses and storylines, though he remained primarily active in regional scenes rather than national mainstream exposure.[36] His transition out of wrestling highlighted the physical toll of the profession, with Duffield citing the need to focus on family and business after accumulating injuries over two decades of matches.[37]Entertainment and media appearances
Reality television and film roles
Duffield gained visibility beyond wrestling through appearances on reality dating programs. He competed as a contestant on VH1's Megan Wants a Millionaire during its single 2009 season, a show hosted by Megan Foxx that featured suitors vying for her attention amid challenges and eliminations.[38] The program's production scouted him following his wrestling profile and initial acting efforts.[38] In 2013, Duffield appeared on Bravo's Millionaire Matchmaker, hosted by Patti Stanger, where he sought romantic matchmaking services as part of the series' format pairing wealthy clients with potential partners through consultations and dates.[38] These television spots leveraged his wrestling persona under the ring name Matt Riviera, though neither resulted in a lasting romantic match or further on-air commitments.[12] Duffield's film roles were limited and primarily supporting. He portrayed a character in the 2014 horror-thriller Luna, directed by Jonathan Smith, which follows a couple confronting grief and revelations during a weekend getaway.[39] Earlier, in 2009, he debuted on screen in the thriller Blood Forest, playing a deputy sheriff in a low-budget production centered on supernatural elements in a wooded setting. These credits, totaling fewer than a handful of verified projects, reflect sporadic acting pursuits amid his wrestling and business endeavors, with Duffield later describing himself as an "awful actor" in retrospective profiles.[12] No additional feature films or substantial roles appear in professional databases post-2014.Podcasting and public speaking
Duffield co-hosts the Free Arkansas podcast with entrepreneur Andy McNeill, which launched its first episode on March 6, 2025.[40] The program focuses on Arkansas-specific policy discussions, promoting open dialogue on issues such as state budgeting, crime reduction, jail overcrowding, and economic opportunities in sectors like lithium extraction.[41] Guests have included state Senator Bryan King on criminal justice challenges and judges addressing multi-billion-dollar industrial projects by companies including ExxonMobil and Standard Lithium.[42] [43] Episodes also examine paradoxes like Arkansas's simultaneous high rates of hunger and obesity, linking them to broader governance and health policy failures.[44] Beyond podcasting, Duffield engages in public speaking through his Statesman Tour, an initiative to directly interact with constituents across Arkansas counties.[45] Initiated in 2025, the tour features Duffield as a keynote speaker at events including Republican committee meetings, such as the Scott County gathering on July 1, 2025, where he addressed legislative priorities.[46] The tour extends to community festivals and political assemblies, with scheduled stops like the Hope Watermelon Festival on August 9, 2025, and the Cabot Republican event on August 25, 2025, emphasizing conservative reforms and local concerns.[47] Additionally, he has delivered public addresses via video content, including a 2025 release on the fentanyl crisis warning that many overdoses occur unknowingly due to laced substances, urging preventive awareness.[48]Other media engagements and honors
Duffield has participated in several television and print media interviews highlighting his unconventional background and political priorities. In June 2022, he was profiled on KATV Channel 7 News as the "Wrestling State Rep," where he discussed his successful Republican primary win and shift from professional wrestling to state representative.[49] A January 2024 feature in Arkansas Money & Politics magazine, titled "Russellville Representative Brings Unique Style to Statehouse," detailed his wrestling persona as Matt Riviera and legislative debut, portraying him as a charismatic figure bridging entertainment and governance.[13] In February 2025, Duffield appeared on Talk Business & Politics with Roby Brock to address a proposed vaping regulation bill he sponsored.[50] Duffield has received recognitions for his legislative and advocacy efforts. He was presented with the Statesman Award by the Family Council Action Committee in September 2023 for contributions aligned with conservative family policies.[1] In July 2025, he received the Calvin Coolidge Award from Conduit for Commerce, honoring fiscal conservatism and limited government principles.[1] Additionally, AY Magazine named him one of its 2025 Men of Distinction, acknowledging his multifaceted career spanning wrestling, business, and public service.[12]Business ventures
Gravel and materials industry
Matt Duffield holds the position of president at Big River Materials, a Russellville, Arkansas-based operation specializing in sand and topsoil supply.[2][16] He concurrently serves as vice president of Duffield Gravel Company, a family-owned enterprise focused on gravel extraction and distribution.[2][51] Duffield Gravel Company has operated from its Gum Log Quarry on Highway 326 in Russellville for over 40 years, serving the River Valley region's construction needs with quarried materials such as gravel.[52] The company joined the Russellville Area Chamber of Commerce in 1981 and maintains operations at 16 Bluff Drive, Russellville.[53][54] In recent years, family member Peyton Duffield rejoined the business, contributing to its continuity.[16] Both companies remain locally owned and operated in Russellville, reflecting Duffield's emphasis on small-scale entrepreneurship in the materials sector.[51] Duffield Gravel Company has engaged in community partnerships, including support for the University of the Ozarks' Wilson Athletic Complex and other facility projects, earning recognition as the institution's 2024 Community Champion on September 19, 2024.[16] These ventures underscore Duffield's practical experience in resource extraction and supply chain management within Arkansas's regional aggregates market.[13]Involvement in emerging technologies like crypto mining
Duffield has addressed cryptocurrency mining, an energy-intensive emerging technology, primarily through legislative advocacy to curb its unregulated expansion in Arkansas. In December 2023, he penned a letter to Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders requesting a special session of the General Assembly to repeal Act 851, the "Arkansas Data Centers Act" signed earlier that year, which preempted local governments from enforcing noise ordinances and other restrictions on mining operations.[10][55] This push came as two new facilities announced operations in Pope County—his legislative district—including one partially operational within Russellville city limits, prompting constituent backlash over incessant fan noise exceeding 80 decibels, surging electricity demands straining local grids, and unpermitted land use.[56] His concerns centered on empirical local disruptions, such as violations of zoning laws and potential groundwater contamination from cooling systems, rather than opposition to blockchain technology itself.[10] By April 2024, amid ongoing fiscal session debates, Duffield endorsed bills targeting these issues, including requirements for noise-mitigating enclosures and setbacks from residences.[57] In May 2024, he backed the passage of Senate Bill 79, which imposed state-level oversight on digital asset mining by mandating permits from the Oil and Gas Commission, enforcing operational standards like sound barriers, and barring "prohibited foreign parties"—such as entities tied to adversarial governments—from acquiring interests in Arkansas-based mines.[58][59] The measure, effective immediately via emergency clause, aimed to prioritize domestic control and environmental compliance without outright prohibition, reflecting Duffield's stance that mining's high upfront costs (often exceeding $10 million per facility) and 24/7 operations demand verifiable accountability to prevent community harms.[60] No verified records show Duffield holding personal stakes or business interests in cryptocurrency ventures.Political career
Entry into politics and elections
Following his retirement from professional wrestling on January 1, 2021, Matt Duffield transitioned into politics, announcing his candidacy for the Arkansas House of Representatives District 53 as a Republican.[33] District 53 encompasses Russellville and surrounding areas in Pope County, aligning with Duffield's longtime residence and business interests in the region. His campaign emphasized local economic development, conservative principles, and his experience as a small business owner in the gravel and materials industry.[2] In the 2022 Republican primary held on May 24, Duffield secured victory with 1,964 votes, or 55.4% of the total, defeating challengers Doug Skelton (832 votes, 23.5%) and David Howell (750 votes, 21.2%).[61] He faced no Democratic opponent in the general election on November 8, receiving all 5,782 votes cast (100%).[2] Duffield was sworn into office on January 9, 2023, beginning his first term representing the district.[2] Duffield sought re-election in 2024, again as the Republican incumbent. He won the general election on November 5 with 6,763 votes (73.4%), defeating Democratic challenger Amie Gates, who received 2,452 votes (26.6%).[2] This victory marked his second term, with primary details for 2024 indicating no significant intra-party contest reported. As of 2025, Duffield has filed for re-election in the 2026 cycle.[2]Legislative priorities and sponsored bills
Duffield's legislative priorities emphasize conservative principles such as tax reduction, Second Amendment rights, veteran support, public safety measures against child predators, and animal welfare protections. These align with his stated focus on economic growth, constituent prosperity, and limiting government overreach while enhancing personal freedoms and community safety.[6] As primary sponsor, Duffield introduced House Bill 1824 in the 2025 session, known as Daisy's Law or the Dog and Cat Rescue Act, which amends animal cruelty statutes to empower law enforcement officers to temporarily secure abused dogs and cats from dangerous situations and facilitate their transport to shelters or rescue organizations. The bill, named after Duffield's deceased rescue dog Daisy, passed both chambers and was enacted as Act 688 on April 16, 2025, marking the first significant update to animal rescue protocols in years. Duffield led sponsorship of Senate Joint Resolution 11, proposed for a November 2026 ballot measure to constitutionally enshrine protections for the right to bear arms, reinforcing Arkansas's commitment to gun ownership amid perceived federal encroachments.[6] He co-sponsored legislation mandating firearm safety education in public schools to promote responsible handling and prevent youth accidents, reflecting a priority on proactive safety without restricting access.[6] In tax policy, Duffield voted for two income tax reduction measures during his tenure and co-sponsored expansions to the Homestead Property Tax Credit, aimed at easing burdens on homeowners and fostering economic mobility.[6] For veterans, he spearheaded elimination of sales taxes for the Disabled American Veterans Association and co-sponsored exemptions for disabled veterans' spouses from personal property taxes, prioritizing support for military families.[6] Public safety efforts include his championship of a law barring registered sex offenders from approaching within 100 feet of public water parks and co-sponsorship of expanded death penalty provisions for child rapists, incorporating nitrogen hypoxia as an execution method to deter severe crimes against minors.[6]| Key Sponsored/Co-Sponsored Bills | Session | Outcome | Focus Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| HB 1824 (Daisy's Law) | 2025 | Passed (Act 688) | Animal welfare |
| SJR 11 (Right to Bear Arms) | 2025 | Ballot referral | Second Amendment |
| Firearm safety education mandate | 2023-2025 | Passed | Gun safety education |
| Sex offender proximity ban | 2023 | Passed | Child protection |
| Veteran sales tax elimination | 2023 | Passed | Military support |