15-05-2025
Indie Wrestling Icon Matt Cardona Addresses WWE Return
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Matt Cardona remains one of the best stories of persistence and dedication in professional wrestling.
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After 15 years in WWE and getting himself over with the crowd through social media, Cardona became an even bigger star on the independent scene, proving that you don't need WWE to be a successful wrestler.
This was just supposed to be my comeback from injury video, but it's so much more than that…It's my career video…My LIFE video.
The office has counted me out. The fans have counted me out. I've even counted myself out! But I always come back. It's not over until I quit…and… — Matt Cardona (@TheMattCardona) September 23, 2024
Still, questions will always arise whether Cordona will return to WWE and potentially team with his wife, inaugural Women's United States Champion Chelsea Green.
March 30, 2024 - Matt Cordona answers Adam Copeland's open challenge for the TNT Championship on AEW Collision.
March 30, 2024 - Matt Cordona answers Adam Copeland's open challenge for the TNT Championship on AEW Collision.
Ricky Havlik/AEW
In a recent interview with Chris Van Vliet, Cordona revealed that he is surprised that he has not returned to WWE since he was released in 2020.
"Honestly? Yeah," Cordona said. "But, obviously, you know, I'm missing something. I don't know what it is.
"Listen, people say to me all the time, especially like we just had WrestleMania, WrestleCon... Probably every other fan [asked me] when are you coming back? Well, it's not up to me. You know? Or at the WrestleMania many people from the office or other wrestlers are like, hey man, when are you coming back? It's like, I don't know."
Cordona then revealed that, not only would he be interested in returning, but he has reached out to WWE multiple times.
"I've reached out many times," Cordona said. "I shouldn't say many, a few times, every couple of months when something cool happens or I have something to say, hey look what I'm doing. There's been no very nice, professional, but there's no offer. And you know what, it is what it is. I'm gonna keep working my ass off."
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The work has paid off. Cordona is easily one of the most beloved and respected wrestlers working today, known particularly for his consistent in-ring performance and incredible work ethic in and out of the ring.
Within WWE, Cordona utilized YouTube and social media to get himself over as Zack Ryder. This would eventually lead to him winning the Intercontinental Championship at WrestleMania 32.
Cordona also won the United States Championship once and the WWE Tag Team Championship twice with Curt Hawkins.
Since WWE, Cordona has gone on to win titles with at least 18 different promotions and has performed in AEW, TNA, GCW, and NWA, to name a few.
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