Behind the scenes look at how Cardona’s new deal came together
Summary
– Matt Cardona explained how talks with WWE began after his LA Knight match
– Contract negotiations wrapped up shortly before Christmas 2025
– Cardona took extra steps to keep his SmackDown return secret
Matt Cardona has opened up about the process that led to his official return to WWE, offering insight into how quickly things came together behind the scenes. His comeback on the January 2, 2026, episode of SmackDown marked more than a surprise appearance and confirmed a full-time deal with the company.
Speaking on a recent episode of The Major Wrestling Figure Podcast, Cardona explained that discussions with WWE began after his match against LA Knight. That appearance created momentum and led to early communication with WWE officials.
Cardona revealed that the first serious call came while he was attending WrestleCade. Shortly after finishing a match, he stepped away from dinner to take a phone call that turned out to be WWE expressing genuine interest in bringing him back.
The negotiation period that followed was marked by uncertainty, despite the conversations being positive. Cardona described the experience as stressful in a good way, as details were being worked out without knowing if the deal would ultimately be finalized.
The agreement was officially signed during Christmas week, which forced Cardona to prepare for multiple possibilities quickly. Unsure whether WWE would use the Matt Cardona name or revert to Zack Ryder, he had gear designed for both scenarios.
To preserve the surprise of his return, Cardona went to great lengths to stay out of sight on the day of SmackDown. He avoided flying directly into Buffalo and remained hidden backstage until it was time to appear.
Now officially back under the Matt Cardona name, he enters a new chapter in WWE with momentum and fan interest firmly behind him. His detailed account shows just how rapidly his return shifted from conversation to reality.
