Matt Cardona

As Zack Ryder, Cardona created his own opportunity with “Z! True Long Island Story” debuting on YouTube in February 2011, introducing an “Internet Championship” that earned endorsements from John Cena. He snatched the Intercontinental Title in a Ladder Match at WrestleMania 32 and captured the Raw Tag Team Titles with Curt Hawkins at WrestleMania 35. Between 2021 and 2025, Cardona worked on several independent promotions, most notably Game Changer Wrestling, earning the Pro Wrestling Illustrated Indie Wrestler of the Year award in 2022 and 2023.

Cardona made his return to WWE as part of the TNA invasion storyline on October 14, 2025, and signed with WWE on January 2, 2026, as part of the SmackDown roster. While he opened his second stint with a win against Kit Wilson, the road since has been rough, facing top stars like Trick Williams, Ricky Saints, and Randy Orton. Most recently, he was viciously attacked by Randy Orton after defending Cody Rhodes, leading to Orton destroying Cardona as SmackDown went off the air. Orton and Rhodes are scheduled to collide at WrestleMania 42.