When Lawrence was cast in the role, Toby Goldstein of TimesDaily noted that Matt was "likely to bring misery to Nick and Sharon's lives". Global TV's Aaron Hagey-MacKay included the character's death on a list of the "Top drunken, brutal, mysterious and volcanic deaths of Y&R".
When Lawrence took on the role, Toby Goldstein of TimesDaily observed that Matt was "likely to cause distress in Nick and Sharon's lives". Global TV's Aaron Hagey-MacKay included the character's demise on a list of the "Most drunken, violent, enigmatic and explosive endings for Y&R characters".