Matt Cardona helped propel himself to new heights in 2011 when he debuted Z! True Long Island Story on YouTube.
The series allowed Cardona to poke fun at how things were going for him in WWE while also being a promotional tool for himself and his character. Fans began to take notice of the show, leading to the "Ryder Revolution" and new opportunities for him on television.
Though the success of the show and his push were short-lived, the ability to use YouTube to promote himself was a lesson Cardona would carry throughout his career.
"The Z! True Long Island Story, 2011, I wasn't happy with my position in WWE. I didn't walk out, mid-Raw, I did something about it. I changed my future, I worked my ass off, I took a chance, and I started that show. That YouTube show was all me. Editing it, writing it, filming it, putting it out. The fans took to it because this is organic. The fans saw what I was doing. They saw the quality, and by quality...the production quality was not good. They could tell it wasn't just me going to Raw, going to the pre-tape room, and someone in Stamford would edit it. This was me. They appreciated that. I formed this bond with a lot of fans that I still have to this day. You have to be ahead of the curve. Now, everyone is on the internet. Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, it's free. It's a free tool for promotion, for advertising, which is great. Flipside, it's free for everybody. You have to stand out. You have to figure out a way to stand out and make people recognize you. That's tough. I'm up to the challenge," he said on Under The Ring with Phil Strum.
Cardona has turned himself into one of the top draws on the Independent scene, working for various promotions and staying active in the digital sphere with his podcasts and figure collecting.
Sasha Banks & Naomi walked out of the May 15 episode of WWE Raw, leading Cardona to send the following tweet the next day:
If I could go back in time…the night I was pushed off the stage in a wheelchair on Raw, I should have walked into Johnny Ace’s office…placed my neck brace on the table and walked out because I wasn’t being respected enough as Internet Champion. pic.twitter.com/2mQiw4I61D
— Matt Cardona (@TheMattCardona) May 17, 2022
Cardona is the reigning NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion, though he is currently sidelined with a torn bicep. He could be out for up to five months.
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