Matt Cardona is officially back in WWE, and this time, the “Zack Ryder” persona has been left in the past. During tonight’s episode of Friday Night SmackDown—the first of the new three-hour format on the USA Network—it was announced that Cardona has signed a contract to return as an active Superstar under his real name.
The announcement marks a significant shift from his appearance in November 2025, where he wrestled a one-off match against LA Knight as Zack Ryder for the “Last Time is Now” tournament. While that appearance played on nostalgia, tonight’s return establishes him as the “Indy God” character he cultivated during his hugely successful run on the independent circuit.
Victory in Return Match
Cardona wasted no time making an impact, answering a challenge from Kit Wilson. Before the match, Wilson drew significant heat from the Buffalo, NY crowd by cutting a promo in which he claimed to be “redefining masculinity” and labeled Buffalo Bills fans as “toxic.”
The match began with Wilson showboating after landing a flying uppercut, but Cardona quickly seized momentum with a clothesline and a dropkick through the ropes. While Wilson managed to ground Cardona by targeting his leg and delivering a series of elbow drops, the returning star rallied.
Cardona showcased his evolved arsenal, hitting a missile dropkick and a face plant before executing a Tiger Bomb for a near fall. Wilson countered with his signature “Tourniquet” neckbreaker, nearly stealing the win. However, Cardona blocked a corner charge with his knees and delivered the “Rough Ryder”—now simply a signature maneuver rather than his namesake—to secure the pinfall victory.
Context of the Signing
Cardona’s return validates years of speculation and his own public statements regarding a WWE comeback. After his release in 2020, Cardona reinvented himself across promotions like GCW, NWA, and TNA, often stating that if he ever returned to WWE, he wanted it to be as Matt Cardona, not Zack Ryder.
MATT CARDONA IS HERE 🤩
Zack Ryder is so last year 😜 pic.twitter.com/AsEYWMUbE2
— WWE (@WWE) January 3, 2026
.@TheMattCardona with the WIN 👏 pic.twitter.com/YpgJMNJxZo
— WWE (@WWE) January 3, 2026
