Matt Cardona: "WWE Was My Developmental"

In which the former Zack Ryder stokes social media fires.

by Andy H Murray
Matt Cardona
GCW

In a tweet sure to draw a very normal reaction across the board, Matt Cardona has declared that WWE was his "developmental."

Here's the man himself:-

Those images are of some of Cardona's most notable triumphs since departing the world's biggest wrestling promotion in April 2020. In the first, he is clutching the Game Changer Wrestling World Championship after making his deathmatch bow opposite Nick Gage in July 2021. In the second, he wears a jacket pilfered from new rival Effy in GCW, while the third was taken after his assault of NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion Trevor Murdoch at Hards Times 2 last weekend.

The 36-year-old has reinvented himself in 2021, particularly in GCW, where he plays a goofy sports entertainment invader in contrast with the promotion's blood-and-booze-soaked stylings.

Advertisement

On top of GCW and now the NWA, Cardona remains active in IMPACT Wrestling, where he has worked since January.

As Zack Ryder, Cardona was a 14-year WWE veteran prior to his departure, having brought into the Deep South Wrestling developmental territory in February 2006. His run there peaked in 2011 and 2012, when he got himself over through self-promotion and his Z! True Long Island Story web series.

Advertisement
Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.