Surprising Former WWE Star Takes Credit For AEW

AEW

Every journey has a beginning, and according to one former WWE name, the AEW journey didn’t start with Being The Elite.

Speaking on the Sam Roberts on Not Sam Wrestling podcast, Matt Cardona laid claim to the first step for AEW with Z! True Long Island Story, saying:

“It changed the business. Tell me that Z! True Long Island Story didn’t change the business. Tell me to my face that it didn’t change the business. All these kids vlogging. The BTE show that started AEW. Really, I’m responsible for AEW.

“I’ll say it right now, without Z! True Long Island Story there would be no BTE and there would be no E…ah, let’s do that again. This is live pal. We’re live pal. Without Z! True Long Island Story there would be no BTE and there would be no AEW. Quote me on that.”

Z! True Long Island Story began in 2011 and was instrumental in making Cardona as Zack Ryder, with Ryder organically gaining popularity with the series outside of the ring.

Cardona has wrestled for AEW in the past, notably teaming with Dustin Rhodes, QT Marshall & Scorpio Sky to defeat the team of Colt Cabana, Evil Uno, Brodie Lee & Stu Grayson at All Out 2020.

While Cardona is one to joke around with fans, the star recently shot down rumors about the return of Zack Ryder under the Triple H regime, noting that ‘Zack Ryder is dead‘.

There has recently been speculation that both Cardona and Chelsea Green will return to the company, following their respective 2020 and 2021 releases.

Transcript from Fightful.

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• matt cardona
• zack ryder
• Being The Elite
• AEW

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