TNA Star Hints at Joining WWE SmackDown Following NXT vs TNA Showdown

Several former WWE stars have been involved in the NXT storyline, including Cardona, who missed out on a spot on Team TNA at Showdown. He instead appeared backstage, where general manager Ava booked a match between the TNA star and Josh Briggs next week.

Cardona's appearance inevitably went unnoticed by his real-life wife, Chelsea Green, who not only wants to see her husband compete on NXT but also to join her on SmackDown. She wrote on X:

"And I want Matt on SmackDown, so..."

Cardona replied with an eye emoji to perhaps indicate that he'd be more than happy to make the jump to Friday nights. That is a possibility because, unlike many of his fellow TNA stars, he is reportedly not under contract with the company and is working as a freelancer.

The 40-year-old stated his allegiance to TNA at the start of the 'showdown' angle but nothing is stopping him from appearing on SmackDown sporadically or even long-term. He spent around 15 years with WWE under the name Zack Ryder and became a fan favourite, gaining internet sensation status before his release in 2020.

Matt Cardona on Triple H's Reaction To Internet Gimmick

Cardona, as Ryder, naturally connected with fans during the start of his WWE career when he launched his YouTube series 'Z! Long Island Story' and created the Internet Championship. His gimmick and social media use was a massive hit with the audience but there were some in WWE who weren't impressed.

Triple H gave a negative response when Cardona proposed wearing the self-made Internet Championship on WWE TV. He recalled a rehearsal with WWE's current chief content officer while speaking on The Wrestling Perspective Podcast in August 2021: "I spent like 1500 bucks, got a real belt made. And I brought it to TV to try to show Triple H, Vince, whoever [and to ask], ‘can I wear this on television?’"

He continued: "It’s during the day and everyone’s around the ring. It’s the rehearsal, Triple H is running the rehearsal. And I don’t remember if I’m wearing the title, or I have it on my shoulder, in my hands, whatever. And he says, ‘You’re such a mark for yourself.’"

"I respond with something like, ‘Listen, I don’t really think I’m the champion of the internet, it’s a gimmick, like the Million Dollar title.’ And he says something like, ‘If this was ten years ago, the whole locker room would have kicked your ass.’ And I said, ‘Well, the whole locker room loves me.’ And then he said that’s why the houses are half empty. There was definitely some resistance to what I was doing."

Cardona eventually got over using his internet gimmick and earned John Cena's admiration , with the pair featuring in one of WWE's biggest storylines in 2012. The TNA star went on to win the Intercontinental Championship at WrestleMania, while also becoming a two-time RAW Tag Team Champion with Curt Hawkins.