Matt Cardona Issues Statement After WWE Return, Brian Myers & More TNA Stars Pay Tribute

WWE

Matt Cardona has issued a lengthy statement after making his WWE return during the Friday, January 2 episode of SmackDown.

After over five years of reinvention on the independent scene as “The Indy God”, “Deathmatch King” and “The Complete”, Matt Cardona made his official return to the WWE roster on last night’s SmackDown.

Picking up a win over Kit Wilson, Cardona’s first win since February 2020, the former United States & Intercontinental Champion was confirmed by commentary to have joined SmackDown – the same brand where his wife Chelsea Green calls home.

Having finally achieved his goal of re-signing with WWE, something he publicly stated he wanted to do many times in recent years, Cardona took to Twitter to issue a lengthy statement reflecting on his journey since his initial WWE release almost six years ago.

Cardona wrote:

April 15, 2020…Zack Ryder was released from WWE. It had to happen. Being a WWE Superstar was my lifelong dream. I had been signed for 14 years…on TV for 13. I traveled all over the world, had action figures, won championships, and experienced everything else that came with living the dream. I experienced the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. While it was a heartbreaking day, I was grateful for my time in WWE.

I knew I had 3 options. I could feel sorry for myself, become bitter, and fade into obscurity. I could coast off my WWE name and make some money for the rest of my life playing the greatest hits. OR I could reinvent myself, work my ass off, try to outwork every motherfucker out there, and create my own path. I chose option 3.

These past 5 years on the indies have been the greatest time of my career…so far. I have to thank every promotor who booked me, every opponent I wrestled, and every fan who supported me in some way. There’s way too many people to thank. I love you all. There’s no way to wrap up these 5 years in a social media post…it’ll have to wait for the book.

From the moment I got released, I knew I couldn’t focus on proving people wrong. I wanted to prove myself and my fans right…and I believe I did that.

I’m often asked for advice. My advice is don’t quit. You might make it if you don’t. You definitely won’t make it if you do. I took my own advice. I never quit. My goal was to get back to WWE. And as of last night, January 2, 2026, I am back in WWE…MATT CARDONA is in WWE. I am Alwayz Ready and I’M NOT FINISHED!

With Cardona’s WWE return also meaning he’d be departing TNA Wrestling, several members of the company’s roster also took to Twitter to express their happiness for the 40-year-old.

Cardona’s close friend, former tag team partner and podcast co-host Brian Myers led the tributes to the now WWE star, sharing a heartfelt message hailing Matt’s run on the independent scene over the past five years.

Myers wrote:

Matt’s run from 2020-2025 is the stuff of legend. It’s gonna be talked about & referenced for years. He unlocked the unlimited potential that someone could have outside the WWE bubble.

He set an example that should be followed forever. Control what you can control, believe in yourself, & NEVER take no for answer.

See you down the road @TheMattCardona!

Well, actually we’re recording the @MajorWFPod Monday morning.

Steph De Lander, who saw her own career reinvention alongside Cardona in recent years, hailed him as “the epitome of hard work”:

SCREAMING CONGRATS TO @TheMattCardona!!!

The epitome of hard work and NEVER giving up on your dreams. I’m not crying

De Lander’s husband Mance Warner described Cardona’s WWE return as “the coolest s**t ever” on Twitter:

The coolest s**t ever man

Brother busted his ass passed on so much knowledge and advice

F**k yea

Former TNA World Champion had a shorter message for Cardona, but shared the same sentiment:

EARNED.

Ash By Elegance also hailed Cardona’s hard work and in helping TNA’s roster grow, writing:

.@TheMattCardona – YOU ARE THE DEFINITION OF “Hard work” – you always kept pushing forward & so many people appreciate you for all you have done for us & helped us grow! You deserve this !!

To find out what WWE Chief Content Officer Triple H had to say in response to Cardona’s WWE return follow this link here.

April 15, 2020…Zack Ryder was released from @WWE. It had to happen. Being a WWE Superstar was my lifelong dream. I had been signed for 14 years…on TV for 13. I traveled all over the world, had action figures, won championships, and experienced everything else that came with… pic.twitter.com/Fsjw72PIsd

— Matt Cardona (@TheMattCardona) January 3, 2026

Matt’s run from 2020-2025 is the stuff of legend. It’s gonna be talked about & referenced for years. He unlocked the unlimited potential that someone could have outside the WWE bubble. He set an example that should be followed forever. Control what you can control, believe in… pic.twitter.com/4MkSYhXKmT

— Brian Myers (@Myers_Wrestling) January 3, 2026

SCREAMING CONGRATS TO @TheMattCardona !!! The epitome of hard work and NEVER giving up on your dreams. I’m not crying 🥲😭❤️🙏🏼🙌🏼 pic.twitter.com/jwfNCrRYlj

— STEPH DE LANDER (@stephdelander) January 3, 2026

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• wwe
• Smackdown
• TNA
• tna wrestling
• matt cardona
• Brian Myers

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