From Blind Dates to Championship Gold: A Wrestling Romance Unfolds

Wrestling has seen its fair share of romances, both on-screen and off. But few stories are as intriguing and heartwarming as that of Matt Cardona, once known to WWE fans as Zack Ryder, and current WWE sensation Chelsea Green.

Relocating to Orlando and recovering from knee surgery, Cardona caught up with close friends Cody and Brandi Rhodes at City Walk. Over a meal at Cowfish, Brandi mentioned Chelsea Green, hinting at the possibility of a romantic connection. Initially hesitant about dating another wrestler, Cardona’s curiosity got the better of him. After a quick online search, he thought, “She’s kinda hot. Let’s see what happens.” And thus, the seeds of a relationship were sown.

On her part, Chelsea Green had been informed by the Rhodes duo about a friend feeling “lonely.” Not long after, Cardona took the initiative, reaching out to Green, setting the stage for a memorable blind date.

Fast forward to the present, and both wrestlers have seen significant career milestones. Green, after a brief hiatus from WWE, made a triumphant return, clinching the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship alongside Sonya Deville. However, an unexpected twist saw Piper Niven stepping in for an injured Deville, now sharing the championship reign with Green.

After his WWE tenure, Cardona has carved a niche for himself on the independent wrestling scene. In a delightful nod to his partner’s success, he sported a replica of Green’s women’s tag team belt during an appearance at a DDT Pro Wrestling event in Japan.

Their journey, from a casual mention over dinner to championship gold, is a testament to the unpredictable and enchanting world of professional wrestling.