Matt Cardona

Matt Cardona, born on May 14, 1985, is a multifaceted American professional wrestler, actor, and television producer. He is currently signed to WWE, where he performs on the SmackDown brand under his real name. Cardona's journey in professional wrestling began in 2004, when he teamed with Brian Myers on the independent circuit, leading to their signing with WWE in 2006.

Making his main roster debut in 2007, Cardona initially gained fame under the ring name Zack Ryder. After the duo split in 2009, he made appearances on WWE's ECW brand until 2010, after which his television presence became sporadic. In 2011, he launched a YouTube web series, declaring himself WWE's 'Internet Champion.' This innovative approach, combined with his savvy use of social media, helped him cultivate a dedicated fanbase.

Throughout his tenure with WWE, Cardona captured several championships, including the Intercontinental, United States, and Raw Tag Team Championships, the latter of which he won twice alongside Hawkins. Following his release from WWE in April 2020, he made waves in major wrestling promotions such as All Elite Wrestling (AEW), Impact Wrestling, and the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), as well as on the independent circuit, particularly with Game Changer Wrestling (GCW).

During this period, Cardona achieved significant accolades, including the NWA World's Heavyweight Championship, Impact Digital Media Championship, and GCW World Championship. His remarkable performances earned him the title of Indie Wrestler of the Year in both 2022 and 2023 from Pro Wrestling Illustrated. In a surprising turn, he returned to WWE in October 2025 and re-signed with the promotion in January 2026, marking a new chapter in his illustrious career.