It is secure to say that Matt Cardona/Zack Ryder is completely satisfied to have made his return to WWE on Friday Night time SmackDown, now as a full member of the roster.
Throughout the Jan. 2, 2026, version of SmackDown, Cardona made his return to WWE. Initially, it appeared was popping out along with his Zack Ryder WWE gimmick, however he was then launched as Matt Cardona as a substitute.
He would then defeat Equipment Wilson in just a little over 4 minutes in his return match. Cardona took to Instagram to mirror on his practically six-year journey again to WWE since his launch in April 2020.
“April 15, 2020…Zack Ryder was launched from [WWE]. It needed to occur,” he acknowledged. “Being a WWE Famous person was my lifelong dream. I had been signed for 14 years…on TV for 13. I traveled all around the world, had motion figures, gained championships, and skilled every thing else that got here with residing the dream. I skilled the very best of highs and the bottom of lows. Whereas it was a heartbreaking day, I used to be grateful for my time in WWE.
“I knew I had 3 choices. I might really feel sorry for myself, develop into bitter, and fade into obscurity. I might coast off my WWE identify and make some cash for the remainder of my life taking part in the best hits. OR I might reinvent myself, work my ass off, attempt to outwork each motherfucker on the market, and create my very own path. I selected choice 3,” he continued.
Matt Cardona’s WWE return has been a very long time coming
He known as the previous few years on the unbiased circuit the “biggest time of my profession,” and he thanked the entire promotions he labored for.
When he bought launched, Cardona got down to show himself and his followers “proper,” and he thinks he achieved that. Finally, his purpose was to return to WWE, and he has achieved that. So, “do not stop,” as he stated, even when occasions get powerful.
He first made his return on NXT in October 2025. Cardona was a part of the TNA invasion storyline in TNA. The next month, he returned as Zack Ryder to compete within the “Final Time is Now” match to find out John Cena’s final opponent. He misplaced to LA Knight. Now, again as Cardona, he began the 12 months on the suitable foot by beating Wilson.
