Absent AEW Star References Matt Cardona After He Makes His WWE Return

3 Reasons why Matt Cardona is back in WWE but not as Zack Ryder

Matt Cardona, aka Zack Ryder, is back in WWE. During the first episode of SmackDown in 2026, Ryder made his presence known as the mystery opponent of Kit Wilson.

Matt Cardona Returns And Officially Joins WWE SmackDown Roster

Woo, woo, woo! Matt Cardona is officially back in WWE as a member of the SmackDown roster.

Absent AEW star reacts to Matt Cardona WWE return

Matt Cardona shook up the wrestling world with his unexpected return to WWE on SmackDown, stepping back into the spotlight for the first time in more than six years. The crowd didn’t need time to adjust, they recognized him right away. The moment his entrance shifted to the Cardona branding, the arena lit up and the energy shot through the roof. He went on to beat Kit Wilson, a small but symbolic statement that he’s not coming back just to fill …

"My Advice Is Don’t Quit" - Released WWE Star Pens Inspiring Statement After Return

Anything is possible in pro wrestling, and the adage just got proven true again on WWE SmackDown. Following sporadic appearances in recent times, Matt Cardona returned on the most recent edition of SmackDown to not only pick up a win over Kit Wilson, but also confirm he had officially signed with the Blue Brand. The […]

WWE 2026 Opener: Surprise Returns and New Rivalries Ignite

Friday Night SmackDown kicked off 2026 with shocks, title defences, and fierce rivalries—Cardona returns, Hayes retains, and Priest triumphs.

Matt Cardona Returns To WWE SmackDown As Active Competitor

Zack Ryder is dead. Long live Matt Cardona. The “Indy God” made his shocking return to WWE programming on SmackDown, revealed as the mystery opponent for Kit Wilson. Unlike his brief appearance in the “Last Time is Now” tournament where he was billed as Zack Ryder, Cardona returned under his real name and the persona he cultivated during his dominant run on the independent circuit. Cardona originally wrestled for WWE from 2005 to 2020 before his…