4-Time WWE Champion’s Return Teased For 2026 Royal Rumble

A WWE superstar is calling for a former champion to return to the company at the Royal Rumble.

Matt Cardona had a 14-year run in WWE, mainly under the name of Zack Ryder. During that run, Cardona had runs as the United States Champion, Intercontinental Champion (for one day) and he was a two-time Tag Team Champion as well.

There were also many days during his career when Cardona wasn’t utilized much on the main roster, and he was eventually released in April 2020.

Since departing WWE over five years ago, Cardona has become a massive star in the independent wrestling world, while also appearing for promotions such as the NWA and, most recently, with TNA. However, he is not under contract with them.

During this week’s WWE NXT broadcast on September 30th, Cardona was on hand representing TNA as he cost Josh Briggs a match against Myles Borne. Whether that leads to more of Cardona on NXT is unknown, but the fact that he has appeared on WWE TV twice in the last few weeks is perhaps an encouraging sign.

Cardona is married to former WWE Women’s US Champion Chelsea Green, who spoke to Cinema Blend about how they sometimes barely see each other because of their busy schedules.

“Yeah, I mean, it’s tough. We do not see each other often at all. We are ships passing in the night. We’ve really been that way our whole relationship, almost, except for during the pandemic. That was the only time we really were together.”

Chelsea Green Wants To See A Matt Cardona Return At The WWE Royal Rumble

When Cardona appeared on NXT in recent weeks, the fans erupted loudly for him, so it’s clear they miss him and want to see him back in the company again.

As she continued, Green pitched the idea of Cardona’s return to WWE officially at next year’s Royal Rumble.

“Now, as we’re entering our ninth year of being together, I would love him at WWE, and I know that that’s his goal. I know he wants to go back and be doing WrestleManias and be traveling with me, and you know, like with all his friends. His best friends are still here, too. So I’m hoping that he gets back. My fingers are also crossed for that. 2026, the year of Matt Cardona, maybe in The Rumble.”

For his part, Matt Cardona has stated numerous times that he wants a WWE return using his real name, and not a Zack Ryder return.