Backstage Note on Matt Cardona’s WWE Return Earlier This Year

WrestleVotes Radio on Fightful Select has an update on WWE Superstar Matt Cardona. Cardona returned to WWE earlier this year, officially re-signing with the company. However, instead of reverting to his original longtime WWE ring name and persona of Zack Ryder, he went with the real name that he had used and established for several years across the indie wrestling scene.

WrestleVotes Radio reports that when Cardona made his WWE return, there was hope “among some behind the scenes” that he’d be presented as Zack Ryder on TV. It’s said the feeling was that since the Zack Ryder character was already an established television presence in WWE, who carried familiarity with the WWE Universe, that was preferable to fully embracing the success Cardona built for himself on the indies.

Regardless, the Cardona presentation remained when he made his WWE return in January. Additionally, the report notes that there hasn’t been any word that indicates Cardona might be shifting back to his Ryder persona, or that one is currently planned. However, it does state that it’s “a situation that is worth watching.”

It’s unclear if WWE is planning to revamp Matt Cardona in his Zack Ryder gimmick once again. Additionally, the article doesn’t mention why or who ultimately decided that the wrestler would come back as Cardona rather than Ryder. Cardona made a one-off appearance with his Ryder persona weeks earlier as part of The Last Time is Now Tournament, losing to LA Knight in the opening round.

Cadona has only been used sparingly on WWE programming since his return and has yet to be featured in a major feud. He last wrestled on TV on the London, UK edition of WWE SmackDown at The O2 Arena, which was broadcast on June 23. In a dark match for last week’s SmackDown, he lost to Ricky Saints (h/t Cagematch.net).