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Matt Cardona officially returned as part of the WWE roster on January 2nd. Many WWE fans know him as Zack Ryder, but now he gets to show everyone how he has reinvented himself during his time away from the company.
On the January 23rd edition of SmackDown, Matt Cardona and Kit Wilson had an exchange backstage following an attack Wilson conducted on Cardona the week prior. This seems to be one of the first official feuds Cardona will have since being back in the WWE.
Why did WWE want to bring back Matt Cardona and not Zack Ryder? Let’s take a look at the history of Zack Ryder and the upcoming return of Matt Cardona and find out why WWE may have made this decision.
“WAKE UP MATT” 😨@KitWilson_PD with some choice words for @TheMattCardona about toxic masculinity 📝 pic.twitter.com/4a0VSI9r8z
— WWE (@WWE) January 24, 2026
Zack Ryder in WWE
Who we now know as Matt Cardona was first in WWE as Zack Ryder. He made his main roster debut in 2007 and had a career with the WWE until 2020; where he was released with many others because of budget cuts.
During those 13 years Ryder was the Intercontinental, United States, and Raw Tag Team Champion (with Curt Hawkins). Along with being the one and only Internet Champion in the WWE.
The Internet Championship was created for him as he built a lot of his brand through videos on social media. Ryder wouldn’t have as many on screen segments so he took to social media to promote himself, and it worked. Through doing this he got some more tv time, even if it was just backstage segments or quick matches, it was something.
With his dedication and hard work, the broski had fans on his side. It was heartbreaking to hear about his release with other stars during the 2020 budget cuts. While I’m sure Ryder was disheartened by this, he didn’t let that stop him.
Zack Ryder’s return on #SmackDown during the Last Time is Now Tournament had everyone in shock. Watch Ryder’s best WWE moments, including title wins, major upsets and more!
▶️ https://t.co/v5p9M7zEBT pic.twitter.com/EBFiyBGUH3
— WWE (@WWE) November 20, 2025
The Beginning of Matt Cardona
After his WWE release, no time was wasted. Only a few months later, Matt Cardona emerged on the independent wrestling scene. He had a few matches with AEW, then would continue in Impact Wrestling, GCW, AIW, and more.
Upon his release from the WWE, the broski turned himself from the Long Island Iced-Z to the Indy God. It takes a lot to carry the name Indy God in professional wrestling. It’s one thing to call yourself that, it’s another thing for it to stick among the fans. The fans stuck with it and call Matt Cardona the Indy God.
In his time back in the independent wrestling scene, Cardona has won the GCW World Championship, House of Glory Wrestling Championship, AIW Intense and Absolute Championship, and many more in only five years. He even included the internet championship on the independent scene, keeping a tie to his roots. This resume, though, shows how he has been living up to the name Indy God.
This rebranding of himself and popularity among various wrestling promotions made him stand out. WWE would take notice of this.
Matt Cardona in WWE
Now in 2026, Matt Cardona is part of the WWE roster. With this self-reinvention, hopefully, his career will be more successful this time around in the WWE. The fans have faith in him, but timing is everything. Is now the right time?
Zack Ryder did make an appearance on the November 14, 2025, edition of SmackDown to compete in the Last Time is Now Tournament against LA Knight. Unfortunately, he lost the match, but he impressed the right people.
Matt Cardona officially returned to the WWE full-time, with this new persona, on the January 2nd edition of SmackDown. The fans were ecstatic to see that Cardona will be back in a WWE ring.
A lot of new talent has come to the WWE since Cardona’s departure. It will be exciting to see the upcoming feuds and, hopefully, future championship reigns. Keep tuning into SmackDown on Fridays to keep up with Matt Cardona.
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