Cardona reveals how the surprise comeback came together and what it meant to him
Summary
– Matt Cardona shares the behind-the-scenes story of Zack Ryder’s WWE return
– Cardona explains keeping the secret quiet and reacting to the live crowd
– He says he’s “always ready” for any future opportunities that may follow
Matt Cardona pulled off one of WWE’s biggest surprises of the year when he stepped back into the ring as Zack Ryder. Speaking on Notsam Wrestling, Cardona broke down how the moment came together and the emotions that hit him when he heard “Woo Woo Woo” echo across the arena once again.
Cardona revealed that he had just 24 hours to get new Zack Ryder gear made after receiving the call for his return. He kept everything under wraps—even from close friends and family—to ensure fans would experience a genuine surprise. “In this business, I don’t believe it until it happens,” he said, emphasizing how secretive the process had to be.
Reflecting on his return, Cardona said the moment felt surreal. “For years, I thought Zack Ryder was dead,” he admitted. “But we once had the Ryder Revolution—now it’s the Ryder Resurrection.” He noted that fan reactions were overwhelmingly positive and dismissed critics, saying, “Anyone who’s complaining isn’t a real fan.”
Cardona also discussed the merch revival that came with his appearance, confirming that the new “Broski” shirts were among the top sellers on WWE Shop. He explained that he temporarily granted WWE rights to produce merchandise tied to the return but wasn’t under a long-term deal.
As for what comes next, Cardona says he’s keeping things open-ended. “It was a one-time deal. Could it lead to something else? Perhaps. But if it doesn’t, that’s okay,” he said. He remains focused on wrestling across multiple promotions, calling himself proof that success beyond WWE is possible.
