Matt Cardona describes what it would take for him to sign with one company.
Cardona previously had a lengthy WWE run, and he won the Intercontinental Championship and the United States Championship, among other accolades. After his release in 2020, Cardona had a brief run in AEW. He has also competed for GCW, NWA, and IMPACT Wrestling, along with many independent companies. During his post-WWE run, Cardona has reinvented himself and won the world title in both GCW and NWA. Fans continue to speculate about his potential WWE return, but he remains a free agent.
Speaking with Wrestling Inc’s Jack Farmer, Cardona was asked what it would take for him to exclusively sign with one company. He stated that it would take a lot of convincing, though he would have a conversation with anyone who called him. Cardona emphasized that cash and creative are very important to him. He also noted that if WWE or AEW called him and it made sense, he would go, but until then, he doesn't feel like he has to.
"It would take a lot of convincing. Listen, I'm a businessman. I would have a conversation with anybody who call me, but it would take the two C's: cash and creative. Of course, there's no promises with creative, but the intention would have to be there. I don't want to just be a guy on a roster. Been there, done that, it's great, and I get it if you're fine with that. If you have a family, you want that check coming in. You want the security. I get it. I don't think there's anything wrong with that, but I don't need that. Been there, done that. My dream wasn't just to be a pro wrestler. My dream was to be a f***ing wrestling superstar. Right now, I'm doing it on my own, but if AEW called, if Tony Khan called me right now and said, 'Hey, we want you for All In in Wembley,' if it made sense, of course, I would go. If WWE called and said, 'Hey, we want to bring you back," blah blah blah, if it made sense, of course, I would go. But until then, I don't need to go," Cardona said.
Cardona continued by emphasizing that his post-WWE run hasn't been about getting back there or landing in AEW. He stated that he is trying to make money and have fun, and he has been successful in that regard. He argued that his buzz has never been higher, and he has never been happier.
"I think that's what's so rewarding about this run is that, ever since I got released, it wasn't like, "Oh, what can I do to get back to WWE," or, "What can I do to go to AEW?" I don't give a s***. I'm trying to make the most money, have the most fun, and I'm succeeding doing that. I'd argue that my buzz has never been higher. I'll tell you right now, I've never made more money and I've never been happier, so I think I'm doing a pretty good job," he said.
Cardona recently quoted Justin Bieber when asked about returning to WWE. More information is available here.
Click here to see what Cardona had to say about Mance Warner ahead of their match at MLW Fury Road.
Cardona will compete at the first night of NWA 75 on August 26. Fightful will have live coverage of the show as it airs.
