Ex-WWE Star Surprised They Never Got Big Return To Company

A former WWE star has repeatedly tried to return to the company.

Matt Cardona signed with WWE in 2005, and after impressing in developmental, he was moved to the main roster alongside long-time tag team partner Brian Myers.

The pair was eventually renamed Zack Ryder and Curt Hawkins and formed part of Edge’s La Familia stable on SmackDown.

Cardona (Ryder) remained with the company until being released in 2020, winning the Tag Team Championship twice, and the Intercontinental and United States Titles before all was said and done.

Following his departure, Cardona relaunched himself as the “Indie God” and has provided the blueprint for other ex-WWE stars to thrive on the independent scene. But despite his success and appearances with AEW and TNA, that doesn’t mean Cardona hasn’t tried to go back to WWE.

Matt Cardona Has Attempted WWE Comeback

During a new interview with Chris Van Vliet, Cardona was asked whether he was surprised he’s never returned to WWE. The star admitted that he was, although it’s not through a lack of trying.

“Honestly? Yeah. But obviously I’m missing something, I don’t know what it is. Listen, people say to me all the time, especially since we just had WrestleMania, WrestleCon. Thousands of people, probably every other fan, if not every fan. ‘When are you coming back?’ Well, it’s not up to me.

Or at the WrestleMania Hotel. Thanks, Chelsea for letting me stay in a hotel room for free. Saved me some money. Great hotel. Great Steakhouse, too. But so many people from the office or other wrestling, ‘Hey, man, when are you coming back?’ It’s like, I don’t know.

I’ve reached out many times. I shouldn’t say many, a few times, every couple months when something cool happens or I have something to say, hey, look what I’m doing. There’s been no offer. Everything’s very nice, professional, but there’s no offer. And you know what, it is what it is, I’m gonna keep working my ass off.”

Cardona’s wife, Chelsea Green, is currently enjoying the best run of her career, despite recently losing the Women’s United States Championship to Zelina Vega. Green made her own return to WWE at the 2023 Royal Rumble after being released in April 2021.

H/t to Fightful