Matthew Cardona

Matthew Cardona

Born 1985-05-14 (age 41) Merrick, New York, USA
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Biography

Matthew Brett Cardona is an American professional wrestler currently signed to Impact Wrestling, where he is the current Impact Digital Media Champion in his first reign, and The National Wrestling Alliance, where he is the current NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion in his first reign. He also holds several championships in various independent promotions, and his self-promoted Internet Championship, with which he is in his second reign. He is also known for his time in WWE, where he performed under the ring name Zack Ryder from 2005 to 2020.

Cardona debuted in professional wrestling in 2004, teaming with Curt Hawkins on the independent circuit. Both men were signed by WWE the following year, making their main roster debuts in 2007. After the team split in 2009, he made appearances on WWE's ECW brand until 2010, following which he was featured sparingly on television. In 2011, he launched a YouTube web series in which he proclaimed himself WWE's "Internet Champion"; this, along with his creative use of social media, helped him establish a substantial cult following. Over the course of his time with WWE, Cardona held the Intercontinental, United States, and Raw Tag Team Championships (the latter with Hawkins on two occasions).

Cardona was released by WWE in April 2020, and had a brief stint in All Elite Wrestling (AEW) in July of that year under his real name. Cardona has been a free agent since the completion of his AEW contract in September and has been making appearances with Impact Wrestling since making his debut at their Hard To Kill event in January 2021.

Photos

Known For

WWE WrestleMania 35
WWE WrestleMania 35

2019

as Zack Ryder (Preshow)

WWE WrestleMania 31
WWE WrestleMania 31

2015

as Zack Ryder

WWE Royal Rumble 2013
WWE Royal Rumble 2013

2013

as Zack Ryder

WWE WrestleMania XXX
WWE WrestleMania XXX

2014

as Zack Ryder

WWE WrestleMania XXVIII
WWE WrestleMania XXVIII

2012

as Zack Ryder

WWE Battleground 2016
WWE Battleground 2016

2016

as Zack Ryder

WWE WrestleMania XXIV
WWE WrestleMania XXIV

2008

as Zack Ryder

WWE Royal Rumble 2008
WWE Royal Rumble 2008

2008

as Zack Ryder

WWE Wrestlemania XXVI
WWE Wrestlemania XXVI

2010

as Zack Ryder

AEW All Out 2020
AEW All Out 2020

2020

as Matt Cardona

WWE Crown Jewel
WWE Crown Jewel

2019

as Zack Ryder

WWE Survivor Series 2011
WWE Survivor Series 2011

2011

as Zack Ryder

WWE WrestleMania 32
WWE WrestleMania 32

2016

as Zack Ryder

WWE Survivor Series 2019
WWE Survivor Series 2019

2019

as Zack Ryder (Preshow)

WWE Royal Rumble 2010
WWE Royal Rumble 2010

2010

as Zack Ryder

CM Punk: Best in the World
CM Punk: Best in the World

2012

as Zack Ryder

WWE Battleground 2014
WWE Battleground 2014

2014

as Zack Ryder

WWE One Night Stand 2008
WWE One Night Stand 2008

2008

as Zack Ryder (Appearance)

WWE Night of Champions 2008
WWE Night of Champions 2008

2008

as Zack Ryder (Ringside)