Tag: Matt Cardona

Matt Cardona Is Officially Back In WWE On The SmackDown Roster

Matt Cardona made a surprise in-ring return to WWE SmackDown on Friday night, competing in a New Year’s-themed episode and picking up his first win on WWE television in more than six years. The former Zack Ryder squared off against Kit Wilson in a singles bout, marking another notable chapter in Cardona’s ongoing reintroduction to WWE audiences.

Wilson came out aggressively at the opening bell, using a Corkscrew Elbow to seize early control. Cardona weathered the storm and fired back with a clothesline to swing momentum briefly in his favor, but Wilson’s ring awareness allowed him to regain the upper hand by knocking Cardona off the ropes and keeping him grounded. The match remained competitive throughout, with both men trading advantages as the pace picked up.

Cardona came close to sealing the deal with a Double Underhook Powerbomb that nearly earned him the three-count. Wilson answered back by attempting his Tourniquet finisher, but Cardona managed to survive. The turning point came when Wilson missed a strike in the corner, opening the door for Cardona to capitalize. Moments later, Cardona connected with the Rough Ryder to score the pinfall victory.

Following the match, commentary from Michael Cole confirmed that Cardona is officially part of the SmackDown roster. The appearance continues a recent run that has included a match on NXT against Josh Briggs and involvement in the “Last Time Is Now” tournament. Prior to this stretch, Cardona had not competed in a WWE ring since 2020.

Since leaving WWE, Cardona has built a high-profile run across multiple promotions, including AEW, IMPACT/TNA, GCW, and Ring of Honor, reinventing himself as one of the most prominent independent stars in the industry. Interestingly, while he was introduced as Matt Cardona on SmackDown, his entrance video briefly displayed the Zack Ryder name, and his finishing move was called the Rough Ryder rather than its independent-era name, Radio Silence.

Those details leave some unanswered questions about Cardona’s presentation going forward. Whether WWE fully embraces his post-WWE persona, returns him to the Zack Ryder identity, or blends elements of both remains to be seen as his SmackDown run continues.

Matt Cardona Reemerges as Zack Ryder on SmackDown, Come Up Short In ‘Last Time Is Now’ Tournament

The “Last Time Is Now” tournament kept rolling on this week’s WWE SmackDown from Albany, and fans got a surprise throwback appearance that nobody saw coming.

Jey Uso Advances — But Brackets Still a Mystery

The night opened with Jey Uso knocking off The Miz to secure his place in the next round. WWE still hasn’t revealed the tournament bracket, so we’re left guessing who Main Event Jey will collide with next.

LA Knight Gets a Mystery Opponent… Woo Woo Woo?!

Later in the show, LA Knight came prepared for a mystery opponent — but the crowd inside MVP Arena erupted when the curtain parted to reveal Matt Cardona, fully revived in his classic Zack Ryder persona. Same name, same color scheme, same entrance. The whole package.

This was Ryder’s first match on the main roster in more than five years, with his last WWE appearance coming during an NXT cameo back in 2019 where he lost to Josh Briggs.

Ryder Puts Up a Fight, Knight Puts Him Down

Cardona didn’t look out of place at all and came in swinging, clearly aiming to make the most of the moment. But despite a strong showing, LA Knight cut him off and sealed the win with the BFT, punching his ticket to the tournament’s next stage.

Whether Ryder’s return is a one-night nostalgia hit or something more permanent remains to be seen — but the crowd reaction made one thing clear: Albany knew it.

Matt Cardona vs. Shotzi Blackheart at GCW in Dallas, Cardona Threatens Shozi over “Indy God & Death Match King” Monikers

Matt Cardona isn’t letting Shotzi Blackheart stroll back onto the indie scene without a fight — especially when it comes to titles he believes he’s earned.

After Shotzi recently dubbed herself the “New Indy God” during her return to independent wrestling, Cardona wasted no time clapping back. The self-proclaimed “Indy God” and “Death Match King” took to social media to remind everyone — Shotzi included — that those aren’t just nicknames. They’re trademarks. Literally.

Cardona, never shy about protecting his brand, pointed out that he legally owns the rights to both “Indy God” and “Death Match King,” and even hinted that legal action could be on the table if Shotzi continues to use the moniker. He name-dropped well-known wrestling trademark attorney Mike Dockins (aka the “Gimmick Attorney”) as the man who might soon come calling.

Whether this turns into a full-on feud or just a battle of branding, one thing’s clear: Cardona isn’t ready to give up his throne without a fight.

GCW announced Battle of the Indy Gods: Matt Cardona vs. Shotzi Blackheart for their upcoming event Boss Of All Bosses in Dallas, Texas on July 11th.

Below are some post on X from Cardona and Shotzi:

Matt Cardona Close To Signing With AEW (Report)

It looks like “Alwayz Ready” Matt Cardona might be closer than ever to a major return to the big leagues. According to Wrestling Observer Radio’s Dave Meltzer, AEW has officially offered Cardona a contract, with discussions reportedly nearing the finish line. While it’s unclear if the deal has been signed yet, Meltzer noted, “I know he was offered a contract. I don’t know if he signed. I guess maybe [he’s] close, yeah.”

If this deal comes through, it would mark Cardona’s first long-term contract with a major promotion since his WWE release in 2020. Cardona has been one of the busiest and most talked-about names on the independent scene since then, building a reputation in promotions like GCW, NWA, and IMPACT Wrestling. Now, he’s making waves again through a storyline with Chris Jericho that has been turning heads across AEW and its sister promotion, Ring of Honor (ROH).

AEW Merch and ROH Spotlights

Further fueling speculation about Cardona’s future, AEW has started selling official Matt Cardona merchandise through its online store. The shirt, featuring a skull rocking Cardona’s signature headband and the text “Alwayz Ready,” includes a notable detail in the fine print: “All Merchandise is owned by Ring of Honor.” This suggests that while Cardona may technically be signed to ROH, AEW’s flexible contracts would still allow him to make appearances on both platforms.

Cardona’s recent presence in ROH has been significant. On December 5, he stepped into the spotlight to challenge ROH World Champion Chris Jericho, setting up a showdown at Final Battle on December 20. Adding even more fuel to their feud, Jericho crashed Cardona’s December 14 booking at GCW, disguised in a hoodie and face bandana. Jericho blindsided Cardona with a baseball bat shot, allowing Effy to pick up the victory. But Jericho wasn’t done — after revealing his identity, he left Effy lying with a Judas Effect, adding an exclamation point to the chaos.

AEW Rampage Momentum

In AEW itself, Cardona has also been picking up momentum. On the December 13 episode of AEW Rampage, he secured a victory against rising star Bryan Keith. This win and the ongoing angle with Jericho suggest AEW may already be positioning Cardona for bigger things. However, if he does sign on the dotted line, the current story developments indicate that Cardona might see his primary role in ROH — at least for now — while still having the flexibility to shine under the AEW banner when Tony Khan and his creative team see fit.

A Long-Awaited Spotlight

For Matt Cardona, a major AEW/ROH contract would be the culmination of years of hustle and reinvention since his WWE departure. Cardona has proven himself as a versatile performer, capable of working as both a dominant main-eventer and an entertaining heel. From his hardcore battles in GCW to his indie world championships, Cardona has shown he can thrive anywhere. Now, as his feud with Jericho picks up steam, fans will be watching closely to see how this storyline unfolds — and where exactly Alwayz Ready ends up in AEW and ROH’s expanding universe.

With Final Battle just around the corner and the AEW/ROH machine gaining momentum, Cardona’s next move could be one of the biggest stories of the month. Stay tuned!

Chris Jericho Attacks Matt Cardona At GCW Event Ahead Of ROH Final Battle

Chris Jericho isn’t waiting until ROH Final Battle on December 20 to send a message to his challenger, Matt Cardona. The ROH World Champion made his presence felt in surprising fashion at GCW Highest in the Room 3 in Los Angeles this weekend, ambushing Cardona during the main event. Cardona, who was battling Effy, found himself blindsided by the “King of New York” as Jericho sent a clear warning ahead of their title clash.

The shocking moment quickly made waves, and Jericho took to Instagram afterward to share a behind-the-scenes glimpse of how the ambush came together. Alongside the video, Jericho addressed his rival directly in a caption dripping with confidence:
“…Hi @themattcardona, you didn’t think that the King of New York would pop up in Los Angeles at your @gamechangerwrestling Indy Event, did you? You made a big mistake forgetting who you’re dealing with……I always get my man! See you at #rohfinalbattle. @aew @ringofhonor.”

Jericho’s attack wasn’t just about intimidation; it also carried a shot of controversy. After the beatdown, Jericho revealed an AEW t-shirt to a chorus of boos from the GCW faithful. This reaction comes amid tensions between AEW and GCW, stemming from past disagreements. AEW President Tony Khan notably pulled Ricky Starks from GCW shows following critical comments made by Effy about Khan’s father. Willie Mack, who was also removed from GCW events, was rumored to have made the call himself, though the situation remains somewhat murky.

For Jericho, these kinds of unexpected appearances have become a trademark since his WWE departure in 2017. He’s no stranger to crossing promotional boundaries to make a statement. Fans will remember his 2018 NJPW attack on Kenny Omega, as well as his shocking appearance at the inaugural All In, where he disguised himself as Pentagon Jr. to surprise Omega again. More recently, Jericho ambushed Will Ospreay at a 2023 RevPro event while disguised as NJPW star BUSHI, and the Jericho Appreciation Society turned heads with a surprise showing at a PWG event earlier this year.

With ROH Final Battle looming, Jericho’s sneak attack has already tilted the psychological advantage in his favor. For Matt Cardona, the ambush serves as a painful reminder of the mind games and unpredictability that Jericho brings to any title defense.

The question now is whether Cardona will have a response ahead of their showdown. Jericho may have struck first, but if history has taught us anything, the “Indy God” isn’t one to back down without a fight. Final Battle just got even more personal, and fans won’t want to miss how this rivalry unfolds.

Matt Cardona Returned To TNA Wrestling On last Night’s Impact

Matt Cardona has returned to TNA Wrestling.

During last night’s episode of TNA Impact on AXS TV, Cardona appeared to interfere with Steph De Lander’s wedding to PCO in the main event segment.

On this week’s show, Cardona hit PCO with a cinder block during the wedding. De Lander, who quickly confronted Cardona, was not happy and refused to leave with him.

Matt Cardona Suffers Torn Pec, Set To Undergo Surgery

Matt Cardona is reportedly dealing with a torn pectoral muscle that will require surgery.

According to a report from Fightful, several promoters have been informed that Cardona will be undergoing surgery for the injury in the near future.

Cardona’s last match came in the form of a win over Blue Pain at Joey Janela’s Spring Break 8 event over WrestleMania 40 weekend in Philadelphia, PA.

Source: eWn

Behind-the-scenes of Matt Cardona and Steph De Lander’s Ghostbusters entrance, full ‘Deathmatch Busters’ theme song released

This past weekend’s GCW Homecoming event wich saw Matt Cardona and Steph De Lander appearing in Ghostbusters uniforms, even making their entrance inside a replica Ecto-1, Ghostbusters News has been provided a behind-the-scenes look at the blood-soaked carnage, in addition to the spoof theme song, “Deathmatch Busters” now being available online.

When it came to the WrestleMania-quality entrance, Cardona, the former Long Island Iced-Z, went local, enlisting the services of the Ecto-1 NJ, a fan car that’s become a staple of the annual Ghostbusters Day celebration at New York City’s Hook & Ladder 8, even being set to host film location tours this fall.

Instagram user and master builder behind the replica, Ectotech, reached out to Ghostbusters News, sharing a handful of photos and videos, mentioning that while the car was transported on a trailer, getting it to the arena was anything but easy. As the bell time loomed, traffic was said to have slowed thanks to those in surrounding vehicles attempting to grab photos. Luckily, the Ectombile arrived, was unloaded, and driven to the arena in time for Cardona and De Lander’s match, with the duo, known as Deathmatch Royalty, having a gruesome brawl with Nick Gage and Maki Itoh.

Another talking point coming out of the event was Cardona and De Lander’s entrance theme song. An obvious spoof on Ray Parker Jr.’s 1984 chart-topper, soon after the match, it was revealed that Downstait was the band behind “Deathmatch Busters,” with the song now being made available through SoundCloud.

https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1596994173&color=563e94

Justin Call · Downstait – Deathmatch Busters

A fixture of professional wrestling, Downstait’s music can be heard in every large-scale promotion, with some of the most well-known, including Cody Rhodes’ “Kingdom,” The Miz’s “I Came To Play,” Dolph Ziggler’s “Here To Show The World” and Britt Baker’s “The Epic.”

Source: Ghostbusters News

Matt Cardona Steals The Undertaker’s Gimmick For GCW Entrance

GCW held their Now and Forever event on Friday night in New York City, New York. 

During it, Nick Gage made an appearance and issued a challenge to Deathmatch Royalty (Matt Cardona & Steph De Lander) for GCW Homecoming weekend. Cardona and De Lander attacked Gage and Itoh from behind. Cardona accepted the challenge for the event.

As seen below, Cardona made his entrance dressed as The Undertaker. 

Here are the results:

5 Way Scramble Match: Charles Mason (w/Parrow) defeated Alec Price, Brayden Toon, Cole Radrick and Marcus Mathers.

Deathmatch Royalty (Matt Cardona & Steph De Lander) defeated BUSSY (Allie Katch & Effy).

Triple Threat Match: Gringo Loco defeated Komander and Arez.

Mance Warner defeated George South.

GCW World Tag Team Championships Match: The East West Express (Jordan Oliver & Nick Wayne) (c) defeated The Bookers (Amazing Red & BXL) (w/Ultra Violette).

Singles Match: Maki Itoh defeated Billie Starkz. Post-match, Nick Gage made an appearance and issued a challenge to Deathmatch Royalty (Matt Cardona & Steph De Lander) for GCW Homecoming weekend. Cardona and De Lander attacked Gage and Itoh from behind. Cardona accepted the challenge for the event.

“Speedball” Mike Bailey defeated YOSHIHIKO.

Grim Reefer, Matt Tremont & Homicide defeated Jimmy Lloyd, Miedo Extremo & Ciclope.

GCW World Championship Match: Blake Christian (c) defeated MAO.

Utami Hayashishita defeated LuFisto.

Source: eWn

Chelsea Green Returning To WWE, Deal Signed ‘Quite Some Time’ Ago, Update On Matt Cardona And Kylie Rae

Many fans have speculated that Chelsea Green was returning to WWE after finishing up with Impact Wrestling late last year following reports that WWE was interested in bringing her back. 

Fightful Select has updates on the contract status of three wrestlers, including Green.

Per the report, Green has been under contract with WWE “for quite some time and is still awaiting creative.”

Another indication that Green was headed to WWE was her recently shutting down her Onlyfans page. Major Pod also had to limit the new Chelsea Green merchandise production due to her signing.

With multiple reports that Green was being brought back, there was speculation that her husband, Matt Cardona, could be on his way back to the company. WWE sources have indicated that “Cardona is not signed, but that we shouldn’t rule anything out for the future.”

Finally, Kylie Rae is reportedly still a free agent despite being brought in for a tryout and appearing on WWE Main Event, which led to speculation that she’d been signed.

Source: WrestlingNews.co