Matt Cardona Spills Who Orchestrated His WWE Return, It’s Not Triple H

Matt Cardona returned to WWE full-time on January 2, 2026.

His first stint with the promotion lasted 15 years, from 2005 to 2020, when he was released due to budget cuts stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Following his departure, he became a freelancer and competed in the independent circuit, earning the moniker of “Indy God.”

Owing to WWE’s working relationship with TNA, he made appearances on NXT during the invasion storyline. He even participated in John Cena’s “Last Time Is Now” tournament, losing to LA Knight on the November 14 episode of SmackDown.

After returning to the company, Matt Cardona briefly feuded with Kit Wilson, whom he defeated in his first match.

He was recently taken out by Randy Orton as a way of sending a message to the Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, with whom he shares a friendship.

Matt Cardona Reveals Nick Khan’s Role In His WWE Return

While wrestling as Zack Ryder during his first WWE stint, Matt Cardona achieved unprecedented success in the early 2010s.

However, his popularity lasted a full year before it declined again in 2012. Following his success in the independent scene, fans hoped that he could return to the Stamford promotion someday.

Appearing as a guest on Cody Rhodes’ What Do You Wanna Talk About? podcast, the 40-year-old revealed how his wife, Chelsea Green’s interacting with WWE President Nick Khan, and a subsequent discussion with Khan resulted in his return.

So I’m working for TNA, but not technically under contract. TNA did the invasion of NXT and they asked to have me. I knew I wasn’t under contract, but if we were going to sneak me in, sure, I’d do it. That led to a match.

Chelsea was doing media for the Royal Rumble in Saudi, and Nick Khan was there. She said to Nick, ‘You see my husband wrestle at NXT?’ Nick said something like, ‘I’ve always wanted to meet and talk to your husband. Give him my number.’

So she gave me Nick Khan’s number, and I texted him immediately. Nick called me and said, ‘What do you want?’ I said, ‘I want to come back,’ and then the ball kind of got rolling from there. [H/T: Ringside News]

Also read: Matt Cardona’s Perseverance Praised By Major WWE Champion