Matt Cardona prepares to embark on another year of proving himself right.
Matt Cardona, formerly known as Zack Ryder, spent 14 years with WWE before the company released him in a wave of cuts in 2020. Since then, he has reinvented himself on the independent scene. Cardona transformed into the Deathmatch King as he defeated Nick Gage to win the GCW World Championship. He later captured the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship. Cardona has wrestled all over the independent scene, and he has also had runs in IMPACT/TNA and AEW.
On April 15, 2024, Matt Cardona took to Twitter/X and reflected on the anniversary of his release. He noted that the past four years were the most successful of his career. Cardona thanked his fans and said it was time to begin another year of proving himself right.
In the post, Cardona also included a video in which he reflected on his journey.
"On April 15, 2020, I was released by WWE. 14 years of highs and lows over in an instant. Zack Ryder needed to die for Matt Cardona to live. But these past four years were never about proving people wrong. They were able proving myself and my fans right. That’s exactly what I did. I became the Deathmatch King. I became the Indy God. I became the world champion. I’m not just a free agent. I’m The Agent. I can show up against anyone at any time. Because I’m Matt Cardona, and I’m Alwayz Ready," Cardona said.
4 years ago…April 15, 2020…I was released by WWE.
— Matt Cardona (@TheMattCardona) April 15, 2024
It was a blessing in disguise. I’m forever grateful for my time in WWE, but Zack Ryder needed to die for Matt Cardona to live!
No matter how you define success…accolades, money, happiness…these past 4 years have been the… pic.twitter.com/RRCuPFpjlA
Cardona recently returned to TNA alongside Steph de Lander, but he remains a free agent.
Click here to see what Matt Cardona had to say about facing Adam Copeland on the March 30 episode of AEW Collision.
Fightful Select reported more information about Cardona's appearance on AEW Collision.
If you use the above quotes, please credit the original source and link back to Fightful with an h/t for the transcription.
