Matt Cardona’s comments about not receiving offers from WWE or AEW reflect his independent spirit and his commitment to carving out his own path in the wrestling world
Though he remains open to the possibility of joining a major promotion again, he is focused on continuing his success in the independent scene.
As he moves forward, the pressure to top his past achievements only fuels his desire to keep pushing boundaries and evolving as a performer.
Whether in WWE, AEW, or on the independent circuit, Matt Cardona has cemented his legacy as a wrestler who refused to be defined by limitations and who thrives on charting his own course.
His journey is a reminder that success in professional wrestling isn’t solely about signing with a major promotion—it’s about creating your own opportunities and making the most of them.
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Matt Cardona Opens Up About WWE and AEW Offers
Reflecting on His Journey in Independent Wrestling
Former WWE Intercontinental Champion Matt Cardona, previously known as Zack Ryder, has become a prominent figure in the independent wrestling scene since his release from WWE in 2020.1
Despite his immense success on the indies, where he has built a reputation as “The Indy God,” Cardona recently revealed that he has not received offers from either WWE or AEW, sparking discussion among fans about his future in professional wrestling.
In a recent interview with Denise Salcedo, Cardona opened up about these comments, providing insights into his career, ambitions, and outlook on potentially joining a major wrestling promotion again.
The Turning Point
Matt Cardona’s departure from WWE in April 2020 was part of a broader wave of releases due to the company’s budget cuts during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.
At the time, Cardona had spent over a decade with WWE, achieving moderate success, including winning the Intercontinental Championship, United States Championship, and several tag team titles.
Despite these accolades, he was often underutilized, and his fan-favorite persona, Zack Ryder, rarely received the main-event spotlight.
However, instead of viewing his release as a setback, Cardona used it as an opportunity to reinvent himself. Over the past four years, he has carved out a niche as one of the most recognizable and successful independent wrestlers, gaining widespread attention and earning praise for his ability to adapt and thrive outside the confines of WWE.
SELF MADE SUPERSTAR https://t.co/yvFCjjgVmn
— Matt Cardona (@TheMattCardona) October 15, 2024
The Rise of “The Indy God”: Cardona’s Independent Wrestling Journey
Since leaving WWE, Cardona has become one of the hottest names in independent wrestling, earning the nickname “The Indy God.”
He has competed in a wide variety of promotions, including GCW (Game Changer Wrestling), Impact Wrestling, and the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA). His work with GCW, in particular, has garnered significant attention.
Cardona’s rivalry with Nick Gage, one of the most brutal deathmatch wrestlers in the world, shocked fans when Cardona embraced the hardcore wrestling style to capture the GCW World Championship in 2021.
This victory over Gage not only elevated Cardona’s status in the independent circuit but also showcased his versatility as a performer.
Known primarily for his fun-loving, underdog persona in WWE, Cardona has since embraced a more edgy and violent side, proving that he can excel in different styles of wrestling. This ability to reinvent himself has been a key factor in his success on the indies.
Matt Cardona: The Absence of Offers from WWE and AEW
Despite his growing success and fan base on the independent circuit, Matt Cardona recently revealed that neither WWE nor AEW has made an offer to bring him back into the fold.2
During his interview with Denise Salcedo, Cardona addressed these comments, expressing a mix of acceptance and determination as he continues to focus on his own journey.
“I can’t harp on what is not going on, I have to focus and put all my focus on just me and creating my own path and creating my own legacy, and I feel like I’ve done that the past four years,” Cardona stated.
His words reflect a mindset of self-reliance, where he is determined to continue building his brand and career independently rather than waiting for an opportunity from a major promotion.
Cardona’s attitude toward his situation is a refreshing one. Instead of feeling discouraged by the lack of offers from top companies, he has embraced the challenge of proving his worth on his own terms. In his view, the pressure to outdo himself and achieve more is not a burden but a source of motivation.
Cardona’s Independence and Control: The Joy of Being His Own Boss
One of the key reasons Matt Cardona has thrived in the independent wrestling scene is his ability to control his own career.
Without the restrictions that often come with working for major promotions like WWE or AEW, Cardona has enjoyed the freedom to shape his character, choose his opponents, and dictate his creative direction. This autonomy is something that he values greatly, and it’s clear that being his own boss has been a liberating experience for him.
“I wanna do my own thing, be my own boss, have a lot of fun, make a lot of money,” Cardona said during his interview. His words highlight the freedom that independent wrestling has afforded him, allowing him to take control of his destiny.
While the financial security and global exposure of WWE or AEW are appealing, Cardona has found success on his own terms, proving that there is life—and prosperity—outside the mainstream wrestling machine.
Matt Cardona: Optimism
Always Ready for the Next Opportunity
Despite his contentment with his current status, Matt Cardona has not completely closed the door on a potential return to a major wrestling promotion.3
In fact, he remains open to the possibility, stating that he is “always ready” if the opportunity arises.
“The phone rings right now, I’ll have a conversation, but I can’t just be waiting by the phone,” Cardona explained.
This pragmatic approach suggests that while he would welcome an offer from WWE or AEW, he isn’t reliant on it.
Cardona’s ability to balance his independent success with the possibility of joining a larger company reflects his maturity as a performer and his understanding of the business.
The Pressure to Evolve: Cardona’s Motivation Moving Forward
As Matt Cardona approaches 2025, he acknowledges that the pressure is on to continue evolving and topping his past achievements.
In wrestling, where careers can be short and fans’ attention spans even shorter, it is crucial for performers to constantly reinvent themselves to stay relevant. Cardona is fully aware of this, and he embraces the challenge.
“It’s almost another year, it’s almost 2025. So the pressure is on to top myself and it’s a good pressure, I love the pressure,” Cardona said. His love for the pressure and his willingness to continually push himself suggest that his best days may still be ahead.
Whether he remains a fixture on the independent scene or makes a triumphant return to WWE or AEW, it’s clear that Cardona is committed to growing as a performer.
The Legacy of Matt Cardona: A Wrestler Who Defied Expectations
Looking back at Matt Cardona’s career, it’s evident that he has defied expectations at every turn.
From his time as the underdog Zack Ryder in WWE to his current status as a top independent star, Cardona has consistently proven doubters wrong. He has taken risks, reinvented himself, and shown a remarkable ability to adapt to different environments.
While many wrestlers who leave WWE struggle to find their footing, Cardona has thrived, becoming one of the most successful and talked-about names outside of the major promotions.
His story is one of resilience, creativity, and determination—a testament to what can be achieved when a wrestler takes control of their own destiny.
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Matt Cardona in WWE: From Viral Sensation to WWE Gold
Matt Cardona, formerly known as Zack Ryder in WWE, is a name that resonates with wrestling fans worldwide.
His journey in WWE was marked by highs and lows, but one thing remained constant: his ability to connect with the audience.
Cardona’s rise to popularity in WWE, especially with the help of his viral YouTube series, showcased his creativity, determination, and passion for wrestling.
Let’s delve into the remarkable journey of Matt Cardona in WWE and how his self-made stardom translated into a brief yet impactful title reign.
The Birth of Z! True Long Island Story
- In 2011, WWE was in the midst of its “PG Era,” and while the company had major stars like John Cena, Randy Orton, and CM Punk, some mid-card wrestlers struggled to break through the clutter and gain meaningful screen time.
- Matt Cardona, who had been with the company since 2006, was one such wrestler. Frustrated with his lack of TV opportunities, he decided to take matters into his own hands.
- That’s when Z! True Long Island Story was born. This YouTube series, created, edited, and starred by Cardona, was a weekly show that featured him expressing his frustrations with WWE, poking fun at his on-screen character, and embracing the persona of the “Long Island Iced-Z.”
- The show featured comedic skits, segments where he interacted with fans, and a plethora of inside jokes. It quickly gained a following.
- Cardona’s Z! True Long Island Story became an instant hit, and the YouTube series took the wrestling world by storm. It amassed millions of views and helped Cardona build an online fan base that transcended his TV presence.
- Fans latched onto his underdog story, and chants of “We want Ryder!” began echoing through WWE arenas, even when he wasn’t on the show.
- For a while, Cardona became one of the most talked-about wrestlers on the roster, without WWE’s creative team heavily pushing him.
Fan Support Translates to Success
The power of the internet and social media became evident as Cardona’s YouTube success spilled over into live WWE events.
Fans began bringing Zack Ryder signs to arenas and chanting his name during matches and segments that had nothing to do with him. Ryder’s fans took over, and their support became impossible for WWE management to ignore.
In early 2011, the WWE Universe demanded more of Ryder, and WWE slowly began giving him TV time. He started appearing more frequently on WWE Raw and SmackDown, and his popularity only grew from there.
His fun-loving, energetic persona and self-deprecating humor made him a fan favorite, especially among the younger audience.
By the end of the year, Zack Ryder’s hard work and fan-driven momentum were rewarded. At TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs 2011, Ryder defeated Dolph Ziggler to capture the United States Championship, marking his first singles title in WWE.
The crowd’s reaction to Ryder’s victory was electric, and it seemed like his grassroots campaign had finally paid off. Ryder’s ascent from internet sensation to United States Champion was a feel-good story that had the WWE Universe rallying behind him.
Matt Cardona: Intercontinental Championship Victory
- For a few years after his U.S. Title run, Matt Cardona found himself slipping back into WWE’s mid-card and lower-card scenes.
- He would occasionally get featured in tag team matches or multi-man contests but never regained the momentum he had built in 2011.
- Then came WrestleMania 32 in 2016. In a surprising turn of events, Ryder was included in a multi-man ladder match for the Intercontinental Championship, alongside stars like Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, and The Miz.
- Going into the match, Ryder was not considered a favorite by any means. His inclusion in the bout seemed more like a filler spot, as he had not been a regular contender for the IC title.
- But at WrestleMania 32, in front of over 100,000 fans at AT&T Stadium, Matt Cardona—then still competing as Zack Ryder—shocked the world by climbing the ladder and retrieving the Intercontinental Championship.
- The underdog had once again triumphed on WWE’s grandest stage, and for a brief moment, Ryder was back in the spotlight. His victory marked the first time Ryder had won the prestigious title, and it gave him his first true WrestleMania moment.
- The following night on Monday Night Raw, Ryder’s victory celebration was cut short when he lost the title to The Miz, ending his reign at just 24 hours.
- While his run with the Intercontinental Championship was fleeting, Ryder’s WrestleMania victory was an unforgettable moment, proving that he could still capture the fans’ hearts when given the opportunity.
Matt Cardona: Podcast
Matt Cardona asking their followers to watch their latest podcast episode on their youtube channel.
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The Decline and Departure from WWE
After his brief IC title run, Ryder’s WWE career never quite reached the same heights again. He continued to wrestle in tag team and singles matches, but his role on TV became increasingly limited.
In 2020, after over a decade with the company, Matt Cardona was released by WWE as part of budget cuts related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Despite his departure from WWE, Cardona’s wrestling journey was far from over. He took his talents to the independent circuit and promotions like All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and Impact Wrestling, reinventing himself outside of the WWE system.
He adopted a more serious persona and became a top heel (villain) in promotions like Game Changer Wrestling (GCW), where he embraced his status as a former WWE star.
