A former WWE star may be signing with All Elite Wrestling, or the contract may have already been signed by now.
Former WWE Intercontinental Champion Matt Cardona may be on the verge of signing a long-term contract with All Elite Wrestling. Cardona has been a familiar face on AEW programming in the past, making several appearances, but has never officially signed a full-time deal. However, his current storyline in Ring of Honor, which is owned by AEW President Tony Khan, suggests a more permanent arrangement could be in the works.
Cardona is currently engaged in a heated feud with Chris Jericho. This storyline has even crossed over into AEW, with Cardona recently appearing on AEW Dynamite. This cross-promotional activity has fueled speculation about Cardona’s future with the company.
On Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer addressed the rumors surrounding Cardona’s potential AEW signing. “I know that there was at least talk of Cardona getting an AEW contract,” Meltzer stated. “I don’t know if it’s gonna happen or not [or] if he’s already agreed. I guess we’ll find out, obviously if he beats Jericho. Which I don’t expect to happen but if he does obviously, they won’t do it unless he’s under contract.” Meltzer’s comments suggest that Cardona’s performance and role in the Jericho feud could be a key factor in finalizing a contract.
Further adding to the speculation, Jericho recently appeared at a GCW (Game Changer Wrestling) event, attacking both Cardona and Effy. This surprise appearance indicates a potential working relationship between AEW and GCW, further solidifying the idea of Cardona’s integration into the AEW/ROH landscape.
Cardona’s potential signing with AEW marks a significant moment in his post-WWE career. During his time with WWE, under the name Zack Ryder, he achieved moderate success, most notably capturing the Intercontinental Championship and the United States Championship. He was also a former WWE Tag Team Champion alongside Curt Hawkins. Despite his popularity with fans, Cardona often found himself in mid-card or lower-card roles. His departure from WWE allowed him to reinvent himself on the independent circuit and in other promotions, showcasing a more serious and multifaceted persona, which has led him to this potential opportunity with AEW.
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