*Card(ona) Subject to Change - Thanks for the House

Nearly six years after being released from WWE, the then Zack Ryder, now known as Matt Cardona, made his return to the company during a surprise matchup last Friday night against Kit Wilson on Smackdown in Buffalo, NY. It is apropos that Cardona signed his NEW WWE deal with the GCW Championship on his lap, after the “Indie God” himself made every single match and moment on the independents mean something. Broski not only elevated his own stock over the past six years, but every single competitor he shared the squared circle with on the independent circuit.

 

During his time on the indies, the multi-time Pro Wrestling Illustrated Independent Wrestler of the Year took on another role in the first ever musical of its kind - a pro wrestling rock musical in The Last Match: A Pro Wrestling Rock Musical in Jersey City, NJ. Cardona took on the role of the play’s lead antagonist in Alexander Swagger, not only wrestling throughout the show but singing and monologuing as well. 

 

Independent Wrestler Vicious Vicki Venuto, who played herself in the production shared, “From growing up watching Cardona, to being able to work with him during the run of the show was one of the coolest things. He was amazing to work with, and taking a stunner from him was for sure a highlight of my career. He was always a total professional in making sure I was okay after that spot, every single night.” 

 

Then independent wrestler and now contracted TNA Star KC Navarro tweeted, “Huge Congratulations to @themattcardona for being back!! Matt was my hero as a kid. Never in a million years would 11 year old me think he would meet, have a 3 part rivalry on the indies and wrestle him on live PPV, but I am blessed to say I did! Matt is the true definition of Proving People wrong and never giving up. Patience and perseverance is everything and Matt proved that to the world!! Congrats Broski!”

 

Frank Leon, Co-owner of GPW Productions known for their work with companies like GCW, MLW, and the greater northeast independents shared, “When Matt Cardona left the WWE the first time, one of the first things he did was ,along with Brian and Mark, hire a group of production guys to help him film live events for their Major Wrestling Figure podcast shows.

 

These guys could’ve hired literally anyone they wanted and they chose us and for that, we’re forever grateful . We also got to film for the FWF, the company made by Brian and Matt. 

 

But then, he started his run on the indies. We had just started taking over the production at GCW and we were just some production dudes that no one really knew, but when this larger than life dude comes in, shocks the world and becomes THE face of GCW, he doesn't ignore us. He showed love and made us look like we were worth talking to for the other wrestlers. I saw the locker room become more open to say hi to us after he came in. 

 

We got to produce the number one trending show in the world one night thanks to Matt Cardona. What a night that was. Trending number one over the UFC and the Olympics is not a small feat. That’s a lot of pressure and we pulled it off. And Matt pulled it off, covered in beer and blood and some toys and a pizza cutter thrown his way. 

 

There’s a lot to thank Matt for. In his time in the indies, he made sure to leave an impact. He taught wrestlers the importance of promoting yourself, HAVING A MERCH TABLE and telling stories. I’m glad GPW got to grow in the time when he was in the indies. And now we get to watch this guy show Smackdown the hard work he’s put in for the last 5+ years and we get to cheer for him. 

 

Thanks for the house Matt, pad the lope.”

 

Viral sensation and PWI500 ranked indie wrestler Big Trouble Ben Bishop pinned Cardona during a singles match with the Indie God in Milwaukee. Bishop stated, “That SOB. All I can say to Matt Cardona is thank you. Not just for giving your all to the indie scene night in and night out. Not just for writing the blueprint on how to get over. Not just for making every moment mean something no matter the stage. But thank you for being an inspiration. There wouldn’t be a Ben Bishop without Matt Cardona. Everything you have coming to you is well deserved and more importantly well earned. He doesn’t deserve his flowers, he deserves an entire garden. Also don’t forget I pinned him clean on October 5th 2025 in Milwaukee, WI. Thank you for the house, pal.”

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Super 8 Winner and PWI Ranked Indie Wrestler Leo Sparrow shared, "Matt Cardona is the blueprint for how a professional wrestler should promote themself, with or without the equity of a WWE career. Success leaves clues, and Matt’s social media presence is a roadmap on how to make everything you’re doing look like a big deal. He did put me through a table- but I’m grateful to have been able to share the ring with Broski. Thank you for leaving the independents better than you found them. Can’t wait for your next indie run."

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BCP+ Senior Photographer Nick Richardson adds, "A few quick stories I have of Matt Cardona from the times I photographed him at GCW events. After the Hammerstein show in 2025, I posted my photos, and Matt contacted me to ask if I had any photos of the back of his gear. I normally would never take a photo of the back of someone's head, so I didn't have any. After that event, whenever I took a photo of Matt, I'd make sure to get several of the back of his gear. "

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"He was also one of the first big-time wrestlers who added me as a collaborator on a post he made of my photos (from the same show). I had no idea my phone could send out so many alerts as it got 100, then 200, then 300, all the way up to several 1,000 likes in a few hours. Final Matt story is actually meeting his mom at the first GCW show at the American Dream Mall. She was seated up by the hardcam, where I was photographing, and we had a very pleasant conversation about nothing in particular, but I remember her being very sweet."

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Matt Cardona signed his first WWE contract at age 20, and now 20 years later at age 40, he returns to World Wrestling Entertainment. This is a genuine story of dedication, grind, and someone who TRULY left the independents better than he found it. Thanks for the House Matt. ​​