Matt Cardona has commented on speculation linking him, and just about every other former WWE Superstar with a return to the company.
Matt Cardona signed with WWE in 2006 where he initially appeared in developmental territories Deep South Wrestling and Ohio Valley Wrestling. Alongside his long-time tag team partner Brian Myers the pair arrived on SmackDown and were given the names Zack Ryder and Curt Hawkins respectively.
Both men remained with the company until being released in April 2020. During his time as Zack Ryder, Cardona won tag team gold twice while also capturing the Intercontinental and United States Titles.
Although Cardona has never expressed a desire to return to his former wrestling home, that hasn’t stopped speculation suggesting that he might do just that. With Vince McMahon no longer calling the shots, and Triple H installed as Head of Creative, the door appears open for a number of stars to potentially return to the company.
In fact, Dakota Kai, Dexter Lumis, Karrion Kross, Scarlett and Hit Row have already pitched back up in WWE.
During an appearance on Wrestling Inside The Ropes, Cardona discussed his own status and whether he would take that phone call from Triple H.
“With Triple H is calling everybody back supposedly, if he called me back, of course I’d have a conversation. But, I don’t know if I’d go back. I don’t know. I mean, of course ‘never say never’ but I mean, my schedule now is pretty great, I’m making a lot of money and I’m having a lot of fun so it’s hard to trade that in for just to be a name on a roster. I already did that.”
When asked what he would need to consider going back, Cardona explained that he would need to retain complete control over his podcast and all associated brands.
“I mean listen, there’s no guarantees in wrestling, right? [Cardona responded when asked what would he need to hear to go back to WWE] You could promise somebody the world. Until it actually happens, it doesn’t happen. I will say one non-negotiable is that the podcast and all its brands and entities would have to be carved into the contract, like untouchable. There’s no way I’d ever stop doing this stuff because it’s my passion, it’s so much fun.
We took a chance when no one else wanted to do this and it’s making us a lot of money and we’re having a lot of fun doing it and it’s my passion, I love it and there’s no way I could ever stop doing that.”
Matt Cardona had been out of action since tearing his bicep in May, however he is set to be back in action at NWA 74.
H/t to POST Wrestling for the transcription.