SEScoops

Tag: Matt Cardona

  • Matt Cardona Addresses 0-5 WWE Record, Says He Wasn’t Booked for SmackDown

    Matt Cardona Addresses 0-5 WWE Record, Says He Wasn’t Booked for SmackDown

    Matt Cardona is well aware of his losing record since returning to WWE, and he addressed it directly on social media following his SmackDown loss to Trick Williams on Friday.

    Cardona was not originally scheduled to compete on the show. He revealed on social media that he had come to the taping to film a commercial and was considering heading home early before plans changed and he was given a match against the United States Champion.

    “I wasn’t originally booked to wrestle yesterday on SmackDown. I was just going to film a commercial and maybe even fly home early. I still showed up in shape, tan, and ready to go. Guess what happened? Things changed and I got a match. I was… wait for it… Alwayz Ready. In my mind, that’s how it’s supposed to be. If you want opportunities, show up prepared… no matter what,” Cardona wrote.

    He then turned his attention to his win-loss record, acknowledging the numbers while putting them in the context of his broader career history.

    “I didn’t get the win against Trick Williams. And yes, I’ve lost more matches than I’ve won since I returned to WWE. But check my win/loss record over my 20 plus years in this business… even the past 5 years that I spent on the indies. I lose… A LOT! But when I win, I win BIG!” he wrote.

    He closed with a three-word declaration. “I’M… NOT… FINISHED!”

    Cardona has not picked up a win on WWE television since his return match on January 2, when he defeated Kit Wilson. He has gone 0-5 in singles matches since that night, with the losses coming against Randy Orton and Williams among others. The Randy Orton attack in particular became an on-air moment as part of the WrestleMania 42 build.

  • Randy Orton and More Included In WWE Title Plans For Royal Rumble

    WWE has announced a new mini tournament.

    SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis revealed his plan to find a fresh contender for the WWE Championship at Royal Rumble 2026 during the Friday night show this week.

    He announced 4 separate qualifying matches set to take place at the January 16 episode of the Blue Branded show from London, including names such as Randy Orton and Matt Cardona:

    • Randy Orton vs. The Miz
    • Matt Cardona vs. Trick Williams
    • Damian Priest vs. Solo Sikoa
    • Sami Zayn vs. Ilja Dragunov

    The winners of these bouts will then meet in a fatal four-way #1 contender\’s match at the January 24 edition of Saturday Night\’s Main Event from Montreal, Canada.

    The announced plan is for the winner to go on to challenge for the title at the January 31 event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Things have been made a little more complicated, however, with a surprise return and a title change in the main event of tonight\’s show. You can check out more about it here.

  • \”Welcome Home\”: Triple H, John Cena Praise Matt Cardona After WWE Signing

    Matt Cardona has officially re-signed with WWE after five years on the independent circuit, and the wrestling world is taking notice

    WWE confirmed Cardona is now a full-time member of the SmackDown roster following his victory over Kit Wilson on January 2. Michael Cole announced during the match that General Manager Nick Aldis had signed Cardona to the blue brand. The former Zack Ryder returns under his real name — now dubbed \”The Complete\” — rather than his previous WWE character.

    Cardona reflected on his journey in an emotional statement, revealing he was released on April 15, 2020 after 14 years with the company.

    \”I knew I had 3 options. I could feel sorry for myself, become bitter, and fade into obscurity. I could coast off my WWE name and make some money for the rest of my life playing the greatest hits. OR I could reinvent myself, work my ass off, try to outwork every motherfucker out there, and create my own path. I chose option 3,\” Cardona wrote.

    During his time away, Cardona reinvented himself on the independent scene, capturing the GCW World Championship, NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship, and IMPACT Digital Media Championship. Pro Wrestling Illustrated named him Indie Wrestler of the Year in both 2022 and 2023.

    \”My goal was to get back to WWE. And as of last night, January 2, 2026, I am back in WWE…MATT CARDONA is in WWE,\” he continued. \”My advice is don\’t quit. You might make it if you don\’t. You definitely won\’t make it if you do.”

    Triple H and John Cena React

    Triple H responded directly on Twitter: \”A lesson to learn for everyone going into 2026: Stay Ready. Congrats and welcome back home @TheMattCardona.\”

    John Cena also praised Cardona and his wife Chelsea Green: \”Persistence and preparation tend to help manufacture luck. I couldn\’t be more proud of both @TheMattCardona and @ImChelseaGreen. They stand as a tremendous example of making luck through effort. Welcome home Matt.\”

  • Chelsea Green Recalls Being \”Sweating\” Nervous During Matt Cardona\’s WWE Return

    Chelsea Green has opened up about experiencing the most nerve-wracking moment of her career when her husband Matt Cardona returned to WWE as Zack Ryder.

    Speaking to Chris Van Vliet on INSIGHT, the Women\’s US Champion admitted she was overwhelmed watching Cardona\’s surprise appearance against LA Knight as part of the \”Last Time Is Now\” tournament on SmackDown.

    \”I\’ve never been that nervous in my whole career. It\’s been 12 years of a lot of crazy moments. I was like sweating. I was so nervous,\” Green revealed. \”I\’ve never really had a chance to just sit in the crowd and listen to everybody react to Zack Ryder.\”

    Green expressed relief when Cardona made it through the match safely, noting how unpredictable WWE can be with their plans.

    \”I felt relieved when he came back because we\’ve got no broken bones. Nothing got f***ed up. Everyone cheered. And it went well, so I was happy. That\’s all you can ask for. It\’s wrestling, right? Like, crazy stuff happens all the time. As long as you come to the back and no one went, \’Ooh,\’ it\’s pretty good.\”

    The champion also shared insight into WWE\’s unpredictable nature, explaining why she couldn\’t fully celebrate until the moment actually happened.

    \”The crazy thing is that with WWE they can say something\’s going to happen and until you are—I want to say at the show—but even at the show things can change because it\’s live TV. So until I knew that LA Knight was walking to gorilla, I couldn\’t get excited because I have been on the receiving end of many \’oh you\’re going to get this, no maybe next week.\’\”

    Matt Cardona is Alwayz Ready

    Green revealed that Cardona is always prepared for opportunities, keeping gear ready for years just in case WWE comes calling.

    \”He\’s had gear ready for years. He really, seriously, he is always ready for a moment like that,\” she said. \”He\’s got MC or ZR knee pads always available. Closet full of potential moments.\”

    In a humorous aside, Green also shared that Cardona\’s pre-match nerves manifested in an unusual way, describing her husband as a \”tanorexic\” who applied layer after layer of tanner before his big return.