Bio
Zack Ryder is an American Professional wrestler who is best known for his time in WWE. He is also famous under the ring name Matt Cardona on the independent circuit. He has also worked in other major wrestling promotions like TNA Wrestling and All Elite Wrestling AEW. Presently, he is active on the independent circuit.
Zack Ryder Height, Weight, Age & More:
The billed height of Ryder is 6’2″ and his billed weight is 224 lbs. He was born on May 14, 1985, and currently, the former WWE United States champion is 38 year old. He was one of the top mid cards of WWE, and he has also worked in other major promotions like TNA Wrestling and All Elite Wrestling AEW.
Zack Ryder: Age, Height, Weight, Wife, Net Worth, Family, Injury Details, Tattoo, and Other Unknown Facts
Zack Ryder Early Life
Ryder was born on May 14, 1985 and currently the former two times WWE Tag Team Champion is 38 year old. Merrick, New York is the place where Zack Ryder born. He had synovial sarcoma during his early age, and he had to miss out on High School due to this condition. It started on his and later it spread to his lungs. Thankfully, he is totally out of danger right now.
Who is Zack Ryder
Zack Ryder is a 39 year old American Professional wrestler who is also famous under the ring name Matt Cardona on the independent circuit. He mostly earned his fame in WWE and he was one of the top mid cards of the promotions. He has also worked in other major wrestling promotions like TNA Wrestling and All Elite Wrestling AEW.
WWE Debut
Ryder signed a professional contract with WWE in 2006 and he was assigned to one of the developmental territories of WWE which was Deep South Wrestling. Before signing a contract with the promotion, he made one WWE appearance in 2005 against Matt Morgan. Needless to say, Ryder was squashed in this match.
Professional Wrestling Career
Training and Debut
Ryder was active in the world of professional wrestling in 2004 and during his early days in the wrestling world, he was trained by Mikey Whipwreck. He got the opportunity to make his in ring debut in the same year as he made his debut in the New York Wrestling Connection NYWC which is an independent circuit promotion based on New York. The first ring name he used was Brett Matthews.
Early Tag Team Success
From the very early days of his wrestling career, he worked as a tag team along with Brian Myers, whose leader became famous under the ring name Curt Hawkins in WWE. The duo worked as a tag team regularly on the independent circuit and they had been really successful on the Indies as a team. They won multiple Tag Team championships all over the independent circuit.
First WWE Appearance
In 2006, he got the biggest opportunity of his career as he signed a developmental contract with WWE along with his Tag Team partner Bryan Myers. Together they were assigned to Deep South wrestling which was one of the developmental territories of WWE during the time. He made one appearance in WWE before signing a contract with the promotion. In April 2005 he had a match against Matt Morgan where he had been squashed. It was a non contract appearance.
WWE Developmental Territory
Along with Ryder, Bryan Myers was also hired by WWE, and even in the developmental territory of WWE, the two started working as a tag team. They even won the DSW Tag Team Championship two times. As long as they were active in the development Territory of WWE they kept on working as a team and they had been pretty successful.
Main Roster Debut
In May 2007, Ryder and Hawkins made their main roster debut together as a tag team on SmackDown and they kept on challenging for the Tag Team Championships, however, they could not win the Tag Team titles as soon as they made their main roster debut. In December they finally got a big push when they teamed up with The Rated R Superstar Edge. During the time, Edge was emerging to be one of the top stars of WWE, and this team up really helped them a lot.
Professional Information Table
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Ring Name |
Zack Ryder |
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Zack Ryder Nick Names |
The Ultimate Broski |
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Profession(s) |
Professional Wrestler |
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Zack Ryder Height |
6’2” |
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Zack Ryder Weight |
224 lbs. |
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Relationship Status |
Married |
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Zack Ryder Net Worth |
$1.4 Million |
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Zack Ryder Eye Color |
Brown |
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Hair Color |
Brown |
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Wrestling Debut |
2004 |
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Mentor |
* |
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Zack Ryder Signature Moves |
Saving Grace, Jumping Knee Drop, Missile Dropkick, Broski Boot |
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Finishing Move(s) |
Elbro Drop, 450 Splash |
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Theme Song / Zack Ryder Song / Zack Ryder Music |
Radio (WWE) |
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Catchphrases |
“Woo Woo Woo! You Know it!”
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Zack Ryder Net Worth & Salary
According to reports from most of the media sources, his current net worth is estimated to be somewhere around $1.5m. He is presently not associated with any major wrestling promotion, so he does not receive any fixed salary annually from any promotion. Presently, he is active on the independent circuit.
Zack Ryder Family
Ryder was born on May 14, 1985 in Merrick, New York. His mother is Terry Cardona and his father’s name is Robert Cardona. There is no information available on whether he has any siblings. He had been a wrestling fan from his childhood. He had to miss out on a year on High School since he had synovial sarcoma during the time.
Championships and Accomplishments
Ryder had been extremely successful in terms of winning championships in the world of professional wrestling. He had been a WWE Intercontinental Champion, WWE United States Champion, and a two times WWE Tag Team Champion. He has also won multiple top championship from all over the independent circuit.
Championships and Accomplishments Table
| Championships and Accomplishments / Trophy (WWE) | WWE Intercontinental Championship (1 time), WWE United States Championship (1 time), WWE (Raw) Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with Curt Hawkins, The Great American Bash Battle Royal (2012), Slammy Award (3 times) |
| Awards & Achievements (Outside WWE) | AIW Absolute Championship (2 times), AIW Intense Championship (1 time)
ASW Heavyweight Championship (1 time) Jericho Cruise Oceanic Championship (1 time), Jericho Cruise Oceanic Title Tournament (2023) DSW Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with Brian Majors DDT Universal Championship (1 time) ESW Heavyweight Championship (1 time) Fightful Select – Male Independent Wrestler of the Year (2022) GCW World Championship (1 time), ECW World Television Championship (1 time, unrecognized) HOG World Heavyweight Championship (1 time) Impact Digital Media Championship (1 time) NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship (1 time) NYWC Heavyweight Championship (1 time), NYWC Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with Brian Myers OVW Southern Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Brian Major Premier Men’s World Championship (1 time, current) PWF New Jersey Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Brian Myers Pro Wrestling Illustrated – Ranked No. 13 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2022, Indie Wrestler of the Year (2022, 2023) SCX Championship (1 time, current) WSW World Heavyweight Championship (2 times, current) Wrestling Showcase Championship (1 time, current), Wrestling Showcase Title Tournament (2022) Xcite International Championship (1 time, current) Internet Championship (2 times, current) |
| Records | One Time WWE Intercontinental Champion, One Time WWE United States Champion |
Personal life & Lifestyle
Ryder was one of the top mid cards of WWE during his time, but the push was not actually intended for him. After the La Familia storyline ended, WWE made him a jobber. But he kept on urging the fans to request to the WWE management so that the promotions give him a chance. He earned massive fan support during this time and WWE finally gave him a mid card push.
Personal Information Table
|
Zack Ryder Real Name / Full Name |
Matthew Brett Cardona |
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Birth Date
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May 14, 1985 |
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Zack Ryder Age |
38 |
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Relationship Status |
Married |
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Zodiac Sign |
Taurus |
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Birthplace |
Merrick, New York |
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Nationality |
American |
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Hometown |
Merrick, New York |
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School/College/University |
Sanford H. Calhoun High School, Nassau Community College |
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Educational Qualification |
* |
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Religion |
Christianity |
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Zack Ryder Ethnicity |
White |
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Current Residence |
Long Beach, New York |
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Hobbies |
Collecting Toys, Playing Video Games, Watching Ghostbusters |
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Zack Ryder Tattoo |
One Tattoo on Leg |
Zack Ryder Movies and TV Shows
Ryder had been a Ghostbusters fan from his childhood and he always wanted to work in a Ghostbusters movie or television series. But he could not make into the acting world so far. But he has appeared in a number of wrestling related documentaries. We hope he appears in movies or television series in the future.
Zack Ryder Wife
Ryder is presently married to his fellow professional wrestler Chelsea Green who is currently under contract with WWE and is active on Friday Night Smackdown. She is one of the top stars of the women’s division of WWE, she is also a former WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion. Ryder started dating Green during their indie days and they got married in December 2021.
Main Roster Success
La Familia
After teaming up with Edge, Ryder and Hawkins’ popularity increased and soon their faction started to be addressed as La Familia. They kept on working as a team for over a year and they even won the Tag Team titles multiple times while being a member of this faction. They were already an established Tag Team with multiple Tag Team successes.
Post La Familia Singles Career
After the team was over, Ryder started working solo and he would become a jobber. WWE had no big plans for him during the time but his popularity on social media was increasing day after day. He was urging the fans to stand in support of him so that WWE gives him a chance. The fans also started pushing for him and it finally paid off as WWE decided to award him with a mid card push.
Mid Card Championship Success
He had been a really successful mid card as he won the WWE United States Championship and the WWE Intercontinental Championship one time each. He created history at WrestleMania 32 when he won the seven man ladder match to win the WWE Intercontinental Championship but dropped to the title only after the next night on RAW. But he could never receive a consistent mid card push as WWE kept on giving up on his push again and again. Ultimately WWE stopped pushing him as a proper mid card.
Final Days in WWE
He reunited with Curt Hawkins later to win the WWE RAW Tag Team Championship one time but WWE had no plans of pushing this tag team thus far. Unfortunately, in April 2020, Ryder was released from WWE as the promotion was adjusting its budget due to the covid-19 pandemic outbreak. It is so unfortunate that his WWE career remained unfinished.
Post WWE Career
After remaining active in WWE for nearly 15 long years he finally returned to the independent circuit and started using the ring name Matt Cardona. He became one of the top stars of the independent circuit as he won multiple top Championships from all over the indies. He also worked in AEW and TNA Wrestling for short time periods. His fans are still waiting to see him back in WWE so that he can also “finish his story.”
Iconic Quotes From Zack Ryder
“Listen, I am the Indy God, the Deathmatch King, right. First of all, it was about [Chelsea]. I didn’t go there for me. So I didn’t want to be backstage, I didn’t want to look like I was begging for a job. I made sure John Cone snuck me in and snuck me out. So I was watching and I was super proud of her winning the titles. But yeah, like, fuck, I want to walk out in a sold-out arena.
“It’s great. I’m the Indy God. My dream wasn’t to be a big fish in a small pond. My dream wasn’t to be a pro wrestler. My dream was to be a WWE superstar. So of course, listen, my phone’s working. If there’s a 203 number calling, I’ll pick up, and we’ll have a conversation. But Sam, we walked about the three C’s. But we’ll see what happens. Hey, to quote the great Justin Bieber, ‘Never say never,”
Credit – Busted Open Radio
H/T to Fightful for the Transcription
” I was the PWI Independent Wrestler of the Year last year; spoiler: I won again this year. That’s two years in a row! An ex-WWE guy should not be the PWI Independent Wrestler of the Year twice; step up!”
“Please, please, I just want competition! I’m not saying I’m the best wrestler — I’m not, but who gives a s—t about that? Nobody creates more buzz than me. Nobody has a longer merch line than me consistently.”
Credit – Insight with Chris Van Vliet
H/T to Wrestling Inc. for the Transcription
“Cody, right away put me in contact with his agent. You know, gave me some great advice. But, like in the wrestling business, if a producer or agent is giving you feedback on a match, sometimes that advice doesn’t work for you. And I realized I didn’t need an agent. II wanted to be that guy in the trenches. I wanted to be that guy doing the numbers and negotiating.
“Cody [Rhodes] set me up for sure, got me that AEW cup of coffee run. I am grateful for that. Didn’t work out at the time, I’ll admit I was bummed out. I was like, ‘Oh sh** now what.’ Looking back, a blessing in disguise. If I had signed with AEW then, I’d be on f***ing Dark right now. No offense to those guys, but that’s not what I want. I was already that guy in WWE. I want to be in control of my own destiny.”
Credit – The Wrestling Classic
H/T to SEScoops.com for the Transcription
“I mean, I’ll be honest when all those people got rehired, I was thinking, not me? The guy who has been doing everything? What was the prerequisite to getting re-signed, not doing anything? Besides like Chelsea and like The Good Brothers, and a handful of others, most people didn’t do anything. But that’s fine.
“Everyone has a different path, a different story. Do you have a chip on my shoulder about that? I wouldn’t say a chip, like a little crumb. But listen, this isn’t about proving people wrong. It’s about proving myself right. My fans right. If I can convert some doubters and get some new fans along the way, so be it. But I can’t have this goal of being the absolute best with like negativity driving it, if that makes sense,”
Credit – Insight with Chris Van Vliet
H/T to Fightful
Notable Feuds and Rivalries of Zack Ryder
Ryder enjoyed a strong mid card push in WWE and he had multiple top views with some of the top stars of the promotion. One of his biggest Rivals in the promotion was Dolph Ziggler and together they had some amazing matches. This duo had an excellent chemistry together and every time they entered the ring they created history.
Another huge rival of Ryder’s WWE career was the former two times WWE Champion The Miz. Their feud was mostly famous for the mid card Championship titles. The most memorable match they had was on RAW after WrestleMania 32 episode where Ryder dropped to the Intercontinental Championship to The A-Lister. They also had some other excellent matches together.
Zack Ryder Injury
Ryder suffered a severe knee injury in December 2016 in an episode of Smackdown while participating in a tag team battle royal. This injury kept him out of action for a number of months and thankfully, he recovered from it totally. WWE’s doctor Chris Robinson made the following statement during that time regarding this injury;
“We think he injured his kneecap or his patella. We think it popped out and then popped back in, so we’re just going to do an MRI to make sure that there is not cartilage damage or some tendon tearing, stuff like that. Hopefully there’s not and it’ll be a shorter rehab period. If there is, there’s a different road we might have to go down that may take longer to get him to recover.”
Other Details
Ryder has appeared in multiple WWE video games as playable characters. His first appearance was in WWE Smackdown vs. RAW 2009. Since then, he has appeared in almost all the WWE video games until WWE 2K20. He was left out of WWE Smackdown vs. RAW 2010 and WWE 2K15 for some unknown reason.
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Zack Ryder Salary |
* |
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Brand Endorsements |
* |
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Sponsors |
* |
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Charity |
Various Charities |
Social Media Accounts
Zack Ryder is active on Twitter and Instagram from verified accounts. His verified Twitter account has a total following of 2.1 million and his Instagram has a stunning following of 1.8 million. Here are links of his social media accounts where you can follow him. Zack Ryder Twitter, Zack Ryder Instagram. Zack Ryder is also a famous Youtuber as he has a total subscriber of 140K in Youtube. Here is his Youtube link; Zack Ryder Youtube.
Zack Ryder Win Loss Record
| Promotion | Win % | Draw % | Loss % |
| 1PW | 0 (0.00%) | 0 (0.00%) | 1 (100.00%) |
| AEW | 2 (66.67%) | 0 (0.00%) | 1 (33.33%) |
| AIW | 6 (42.86%) | 1 (7.14%) | 7 (50.00%) |
| Battleground Championship Wrestling | 1 (25.00%) | 0 (0.00%) | 3 (75.00%) |
| Beyond | 1 (50.00%) | 0 (0.00%) | 1 (50.00%) |
| Beyond/WWR | 1 (100.00%) | 0 (0.00%) | 0 (0.00%) |
| Black Label Pro | 0 (0.00%) | 0 (0.00%) | 1 (100.00%) |
| CAP | 0 (0.00%) | 0 (0.00%) | 1 (100.00%) |
| CYN | 0 (0.00%) | 0 (0.00%) | 1 (100.00%) |
| DDT | 2 (66.67%) | 0 (0.00%) | 1 (33.33%) |
| DREAMWAVE | 0 (0.00%) | 0 (0.00%) | 1 (100.00%) |
| DSW | 20 (55.56%) | 4 (11.11%) | 12 (33.33%) |
| DWW | 0 (0.00%) | 0 (0.00%) | 1 (100.00%) |
| FCW | 1 (100.00%) | 0 (0.00%) | 0 (0.00%) |
| FWF | 2 (33.33%) | 0 (0.00%) | 4 (66.67%) |
| GCW | 22 (55.00%) | 0 (0.00%) | 18 (45.00%) |
| GCW/TNT | 0 (0.00%) | 0 (0.00%) | 1 (100.00%) |
| GLCW | 0 (0.00%) | 0 (0.00%) | 1 (100.00%) |
| HOG | 3 (60.00%) | 0 (0.00%) | 2 (40.00%) |
| Impact Wrestling | 22 (47.83%) | 1 (2.17%) | 23 (50.00%) |
| JAPW | 1 (33.33%) | 0 (0.00%) | 2 (66.67%) |
| Jericho Cruise | 3 (75.00%) | 0 (0.00%) | 1 (25.00%) |
| MLW | 4 (80.00%) | 0 (0.00%) | 1 (20.00%) |
| N/A | 3 (100.00%) | 0 (0.00%) | 0 (0.00%) |
| NWA | 9 (50.00%) | 0 (0.00%) | 9 (50.00%) |
| NXT | 37 (74.00%) | 1 (2.00%) | 12 (24.00%) |
| OTT | 1 (33.33%) | 0 (0.00%) | 2 (66.67%) |
| OVW | 31 (67.39%) | 0 (0.00%) | 15 (32.61%) |
| Premier Streaming Network | 1 (100.00%) | 0 (0.00%) | 0 (0.00%) |
| Prestige | 0 (0.00%) | 0 (0.00%) | 1 (100.00%) |
| PROGRESS | 1 (100.00%) | 0 (0.00%) | 0 (0.00%) |
| TCW | 0 (0.00%) | 0 (0.00%) | 1 (100.00%) |
| Warrior Wrestling | 1 (50.00%) | 0 (0.00%) | 1 (50.00%) |
| WrestleCade | 1 (33.33%) | 0 (0.00%) | 2 (66.67%) |
| WrestlePro | 2 (66.67%) | 0 (0.00%) | 1 (33.33%) |
| Wrestling Revolver | 0 (0.00%) | 0 (0.00%) | 3 (100.00%) |
| WSW | 5 (50.00%) | 0 (0.00%) | 5 (50.00%) |
| WWC | 0 (0.00%) | 0 (0.00%) | 1 (100.00%) |
| WWE | 461 (46.90%) | 7 (0.71%) | 515 (52.39%) |
| TOTAL | 644 (49.16%) | 14 (1.07%) | 652 (49.77%) |
Zack Ryder Manager
Ryder had been regularly managed by Curt Hawkins when they worked as a tag team. When he started working solo after the end of the La Familia stable, he started a storyline with Eve Torres. It was a romantic angle he had been regularly managed by Eve Torres during his matches while they worked as a pair.
FAQS
Q. When did Zack Ryder start wrestling?
A. Zack Ryder started working in 2004
Q. How tall is Zack Ryder in feet?
A. Zack Ryder is 6’2” tall in feet
Q. Who is Zack Ryder manager?
A. Zack Ryder had been managed by various names, Eve Torres is arguably the most famous manager of Ryder’s WWE career
Q. What is current Zack Ryder song?
A. Zack Ryder uses the song ‘Radio’ in WWE
Q. Who is Zack Ryder mother?
A. Zack Ryder’s mother was Terry Cardona
Q. Who is Zack Ryder father?
A. Zack Ryder’s father was Robert Cardona
Q. Who is currently Zack Ryder girlfriend?
A. Zack Ryder is currently married to famous professional wrestler and former WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion Chelsea Green
Q. Who is Zack Ryder brother?
A. Not known
Q. How much is Zack Ryder worth?
A. Zack Ryder’s net worth is something around $1.5m
Q. How many times Zack Ryder won the WWE United States title?
A. Zack Ryder had been a one time WWE United States Champion