Triple H Reacts To New WWE SmackDown Addition

The first WWE SmackDown of 2026 has been done and dusted, and it came with a major surprise!

Friday Night SmackDown showcased Damian Priest vs. Aleister Black in an Ambulance Match, Cody Rhodes & Drew McIntyre exchanging final words ahead of their Three Stages of Hell match, Randy Orton returning to the ring, among others.

One of the highlights of the show was the return of Zack Ryder, but he will be as Matt Cardona in the global juggernaut!

WWE welcomes back Matt Cardona

Cardona returned to the Stamford-based promotion as the mystery opponent against Kit Wilson. Nick Aldis signed him to SmackDown.

Triple H welcomed him by putting the roster on notice.

A lesson to learn for everyone going into 2026: Stay Ready.

Congrats and welcome back home @TheMattCardona. #SmackDown

A lesson to learn for everyone going into 2026: Stay Ready.

Congrats and welcome back home @TheMattCardona. #SmackDownhttps://t.co/VhpQZBg2Zv

— Triple H (@TripleH) January 3, 2026

Previously, Cardona had returned to the global juggernaut during the TNA invasion storyline and had wrestled LA Knight, but as Zack Ryder.

Upon his return during the latest episode of SmackDown, the titantron in the arena showed Zack Ryder first, but then it changed to Matt Cardona. WWE had a quirky message to share about that on the company’s social media handle.

MATT CARDONA IS HERE 🤩

Zack Ryder is so last year 😜

MATT CARDONA IS HERE 🤩

Zack Ryder is so last year 😜 pic.twitter.com/AsEYWMUbE2

— WWE (@WWE) January 3, 2026

Cardona secured a victory over Kit Wilson on Friday Night SmackDown.

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