Former WWE Star Dismisses Return Talk

It seems Matt Cardona has publically dismissed the idea of returning to WWE.

At least as Zack Ryder.

The former United States and Intercontinental Champion tweeted the following over the weekend, doing so in response to a Twitter user asking if anyone would be interested in seeing a Ryder comeback:-

Zack Ryder is dead. Long live Matt Cardona! https://t.co/6Ggsqre7V6

— Matt Cardona (@TheMattCardona) October 29, 2022

A WWE wrestler since February 2006, when he signed his first developmental contract with the promotion and became Brett Major, Cardona found the bulk of his Stamford success as Ryder. He organically grew to become one of WWE's most over stars through his use of YouTube and social media to promote his Z! True Long Island Story series in the early 2010s, though WWE never married this to a true on-air push.

When that surge faded, Ryder's usage became increasingly sporadic His long run eventually came to an end when he was released at the COVID-19 pandemic's onset in April 2020.

Cardona has since become one of the most notable freelancers in American wrestlers, starring as a sports entertainment-style interloper in Game Changer Wrestling and as an IMPACT Wrestling regular. In June, he told Bleacher Report that if he did go back to WWE, he would prefer it to be under his real name:-

“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."

Cardona's wife, Chelsea Green, is believed to be on her way back to WWE after recently concluding her IMPACT commitments.