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Matthew Cardona

Matthew Cardona

Acting1985Merrick, New York, USA

Biography

Matthew Brett Cardona is an American professional wrestler currently signed to Impact Wrestling, where he is the current Impact Digital Media Champion in his first reign, and The National Wrestling Alliance, where he is the current NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion in his first reign. He also holds several championships in various independent promotions, and his self-promoted Internet Championship, with which he is in his second reign. He is also known for his time in WWE, where he performed under the ring name Zack Ryder from 2005 to 2020.

Cardona debuted in professional wrestling in 2004, teaming with Curt Hawkins on the independent circuit. Both men were signed by WWE the following year, making their main roster debuts in 2007. After the team split in 2009, he made appearances on WWE's ECW brand until 2010, following which he was featured sparingly on television. In 2011, he launched a YouTube web series in which he proclaimed himself WWE's "Internet Champion"; this, along with his creative use of social media, helped him establish a substantial cult following. Over the course of his time with WWE, Cardona held the Intercontinental, United States, and Raw Tag Team Championships (the latter with Hawkins on two occasions).

Cardona was released by WWE in April 2020, and had a brief stint in All Elite Wrestling (AEW) in July of that year under his real name. Cardona has been a free agent since the completion of his AEW contract in September and has been making appearances with Impact Wrestling since making his debut at their Hard To Kill event in January 2021.

Acting History

2026
Royal Rumble 2026
as Matt Cardona
2025
TNA Rebellion 2025
as Matt Cardona
TNA Under Siege 2025
as Matt Cardona
TNA Emergence 2025
as Matt Cardona
TNA Slammiversary 2025
as Matt Cardona
TNA Victory Road 2025
as Matt Cardona
WWE NXT
TVas Zack Ryder / Zack / Matt Cardona / zack Ryder2 eps
2024
2020
WWE Elimination Chamber 2020
as Zack Ryder (Preshow)
AEW All Out 2020
as Matt Cardona
All Elite Wrestling: Dynamite
TVas Matt Cardona4 eps
Heel
Associate Producer
2019
WWE Survivor Series 2019
as Zack Ryder (Preshow)
WWE WrestleMania 35
as Zack Ryder (Preshow)
WWE Crown Jewel
as Zack Ryder
WWE Stomping Grounds
as Zack Ryder (Appearance)
2015
WWE WrestleMania 31
as Zack Ryder
Swerved
TVas Zack Ryder
2013
WWE Payback 2013
as Zack Ryder (Lumberjack)
2012
2010
WWE Fatal 4-Way 2010
as Zack Ryder (Preshow)
2009
WWE WrestleMania XXV
as Zack Ryder (Lumberjack)
2008
WWE One Night Stand 2008
as Zack Ryder (Appearance)
WWE Judgment Day 2008
as Zack Ryder (Appearance)
WWE Night of Champions 2008
as Zack Ryder (Ringside)
WWE ECW
TVas Zack Ryder1 eps
2007
WWE Armageddon 2007
as Zack Ryder (Edgehead #1)
2004
TNA iMPACT!
TVas Matt Cardona
1999
WWE Friday Night SmackDown
TVas Zack Ryder / Matt Cardona
1996
E! True Hollywood Story
TVas Ryder (archive footage)
1993
Raw
TVas Zack Ryder

Social Media

Personal Info

Known For
Acting
Gender
Male
Birthday
5/14/1985(40 years old)
Place of Birth
Merrick, New York, USA