In an interview with Jeremy Jacobowitz, Matt Cardona talked about his departure from WWE in 2020 and the process of rebuilding his career.
The former United States Champion addressed the options he had at the time, stating:
So, when I got released, fired from WWE, like it was the greatest day of my life. And I knew then I had three options because I’m a student of the game. I see what happens when people leave WWE. You could fade into obscurity, which I wasn’t going to do. You can, you know, just be bitter, negative, fade into obscurity, or you can like just coast off your WWE name forever.
And I don’t mean like the literal name. Like Honky Tonk Man is still doing the shake, rattle and roll, and I love that and it’s great and I love Honky, but I didn’t want to still do the woo woo woo on the indies.
I wanted to create something new. And that was what I decided, okay, I’m going to reinvent myself and I’m going to change the Matt Cardona game. I’m going to reinvent myself in a way that, like, yeah, hopefully WWE wants me back. But if they don’t, that’s fine.
Cardona, who initially made a return appearance as Zack Ryder during the Last Time Is Now Tournament in late 2025, made a full-time return under the Cardona name in January 2026.
Admitting that the chance to return to WWE came at a financial cost, Cardona added:
And, you know, I made more money outside WWE than I ever made in WWE. Like I technically took a pay cut to go back to WWE. You know what I’m saying? That’s how much money I was making on the indies. But WWE going back, it’s the ultimate opportunity because if it works out it’ll be the ultimate raise, right? Like I’m sitting here talking to you because WWE set this up.
Cardona is currently recovering from a torn triceps sustained in August.
Source: F4WOnline
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