Matt Cardona was extremely famous in WWE under the ring name of Zack Ryder and he was one of the strongest mid cards of the promotion throughout his time with it. He spent nearly fifteen years in WWE and won multiple championships in the promotion. He was involved in various exciting storylines too.
He worked in WWE for around fifteen years and in 2020 he was released from the promotion due to the covid-19 pandemic budget cut issues. After getting released from WWE, he established himself on the Independent Circuit along with some major promotion. Recently he revealed how life works after the WWE release. Speaking with Sports Illustrated he said;
Navigating the Ring to New Horizons: Matt Cardona’s Adventures in His Post-WWE Journey
On what used to happen when wrestlers got released from WWE: “Back in the day when someone was released from WWE, they’d change the spelling of their name, go to the independents and watch their career die a slow death. I credit guys like Drew McIntyre and Cody Rhodes. They used their time away from WWE to reinvent themselves. I’ve taken things from them, but I’ve added my own spin to it. I’m proving you don’t need WWE or AEW to be a successful pro wrestler.”
On what used to happen when wrestlers got released from WWE: “Back in the day when someone was released from WWE, they’d change the spelling of their name, go to the independents and watch their career die a slow death. I credit guys like Drew McIntyre and Cody Rhodes. They used their time away from WWE to reinvent themselves. I’ve taken things from them, but I’ve added my own spin to it. I’m proving you don’t need WWE or AEW to be a successful pro wrestler.”
Matt Cardona Is Active In NWA Right Now
On his Indy Wrestling President vignette: “That presidential one is taking a shot at all those carny indie promoters out there. I love the callbacks. I’m a fan, too. I was a kid who grew up wanting to do this so goddamn bad. I love this, and that’s why I won’t quit. It’s the reason this indie run has been so successful. I won’t stop until I’m the best I’ve ever been. I take a lot of pride in being the voice of the independents—I can say what others cannot, and I’m adding my Indie God character into it.”
On his future and how much he’s endured in the business: “There is nobody in the history of this business who’s been counted out and came back more than me. I was written off so many times, often by myself. But I’ll never quit. I’ll die attempting to be the version of myself I believe I can be.”
Matt Cardona is currently active in the Independent Circuit and he is winning multiple big titles from all over the indies. He is also working on the National Wrestling Alliance IWA. There are rumours that he would come back to WWE soon and fans would be delighted to have him back.
H/T – eWrestlingNews.com