10 Most Well-Developed Characters In Wrestling Today
7. Matt Cardona
If it’s still hard to believe that the former Zack Ryder is currently one of the most heat seeking personalities in the business, well, the modern wrestling landscape is a strange place. While many stars have flourished since being released from WWE, perhaps no one has gained such a terrific glow up as Matt Cardona.
In WWE, he was the Long Island douche who wore headbands and said “bro” a lot. He was popular, but with a clear ceiling, and the bookers resented him for having the temerity of getting himself over.
Now wrestling under his own name, he’s free to be himself, and perhaps no one gives more of themselves to their character. He embraces his status as a wrestling dork, a firmly non-indie guy who likes action figures and the internet. And he uses that characterisation to wind up GCW fans to the point of mania, leading to his astonishing title win against Nick Gage.
He’s embracing his own vision, having a laugh, and seeing more success than ever before, culminating in improbably winning the NWA Worlds Championship. He’s living the dream of every hardcore wrestling fan, and making them seethe in the process.