Matt Cardona Not Opposed To Returning To WWE As Zack Ryder

Since being released by WWE in April 2020, Matt Cardona has become arguably the top name on the independent scene making appearances in AEW before finding a home in IMPACT, GCW, and NWA. 

Cardona has re-invented himself as the Deathmatch King in GCW and captured the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship, firmly establishing himself as “the guy” in the company. 

While Cardona is on the hottest stretch of his career, he’s still thought about a WWE return. 

“I’d be lying if I said I never wanted to wrestle in Madison Square Garden again or never wanted to wrestle in a big stadium for a WrestleMania,” Cardona told Graham GSM Matthews of Bleacher Report. “Of course I would. I’m not saying that. But I’m also not saying that I’m doing everything I’m doing now thinking, ‘What can I do to get back to WWE?’ or ‘What can I do to go to AEW?’ I don’t give a sh*t. Sorry, I don’t. If Tony Khan or Vince McMahon or Johnny Ace or Bruce Prichard called me, of course, I’d pick up the phone and have a conversation, but that’s not my goal right now.”

When asked if he thought he could return as Matt Cardona and play his current role in WWE, similar to Cody Rhodes returning as the American Nightmare and not Stardust, Cardona admitted that the possibility of Zack Ryder returning was more likely. 

“There’s certain things I’d have to tone down like the cursing, but other than that, I absolutely think it would [work],” Cardona said. “It’s just a different side of me, it’s the evolution. I wouldn’t be opposed to coming back as Zack Ryder. I love my ‘Always Ready’ music. It would basically be me, just with the old Zack Ryder name. No more ‘Oh Radio,’ none of that stuff, even though Downstait did make the harder version of it. I would love to come back as me, Matt Cardona, but I think realistically, the WWE has that IP and they’ve invested a lot in that name, so I would have no problem [doing it], even if it was a one-off at the Royal Rumble or something like that. I think it’d be interesting. If I were to come out, I don’t know if the people would boo. I think I’d get a huge pop! I think I’d be a babyface again.”

Cardona is currently sidelined after suffering a torn bicep and is set to miss up to five months following surgery. 

He will still appear at NWA Alwayz Ready where he was scheduled to defend the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship against Nick Aldis.