Zack Ryder returns to WWE for high-stakes showdown against LA Knight
Summary
– Zack Ryder wrestles his first main roster WWE match in over five years
– LA Knight adjusts on the fly after not knowing his opponent in advance
– Knight scores a hard-fought win to advance in the Last Time Is Now Tournament
Zack Ryder made his surprise in-ring return on SmackDown, stepping in as LA Knight’s mystery opponent for the next round of the Last Time Is Now Tournament. Ryder received a strong reaction from the crowd as he walked into his biggest WWE moment in years.
LA Knight entered the match at a disadvantage, having no advance notice of who he would be facing. Ryder, however, came prepared. Their opening exchanges showed Ryder’s experience as he went hold for hold with Knight and weathered the early offense.
Ryder pushed the pace and showed flashes of the reinvention that defined his independent run, landing stiff forearms, a high corner strike, and setting up the Woo Woo Woo corner attack. Knight survived multiple close calls, including Ryder’s Rough Ryder, which nearly ended the match.
Knight regained momentum late in the contest by countering a corner charge and shifting the pace in his favor. With Ryder stunned, Knight connected with the BFT, securing the win and advancing deeper into the tournament.
Ryder’s return performance turned heads, but Knight’s resilience kept his momentum alive as he moved one step closer to the tournament’s final stage.
