‘Things Changed’ – Matt Cardona Wasn’t Originally Booked To Wrestle On WWE SmackDown

Published: Apr 11, 2026 by Sanchez Taylor | Last Updated: Apr 11, 2026 by Sanchez Taylor

Sanchez has over six years of pro-wrestling news writing experience, covering the biggest news stories in WWE, NXT, AEW, TNA Wrestling and more. He has personally interviewed a number of top stars, producing exclusive content with the likes of AEW's Swerve Strickland and WWE's Nick Aldis.

Matt Cardona has reflected following his loss on WWE SmackDown, stating that he wasn’t originally booked for Friday’s show.

The April 10 SmackDown episode saw Cardona take on US Title #1 contender Trick Williams in singles action.

While US Champion Sami Zayn took Lil Yachty out with a Helluva Kick on the outside of the ring, Cardona was unable to capitalize on the distraction, with Williams hitting his Trick Shot knee strike for the victory.

Matt Cardona has now taken to Twitter to note that he wasn’t originally set to have a match on this show, but plans changed.

Addressing his win-loss record, Cardona wrote:

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I wasn’t originally booked to wrestle yesterday on SmackDown. I was just going to film a commercial and maybe even fly home early. I still showed up in shape, tan, and ready to go.

Guess what happened? Things changed and I got a match. I was…wait for it…Alwayz Ready. In my mind, that’s how it supposed to be. If you want opportunities, show up prepared…no matter what.

I didn’t get the win against Trick Williams. And yes, I’ve lost more matches than I’ve won since I returned to WWE.

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But check my win/loss record over my 20 plus years in this business….even the past 5 years that I spent on the indies. I lose…A LOT! But when I win, I win BIG! I’M…NOT…FINISHED!

After a one-off appearance as part of the John Cena Last Time is Now tournament in November, Matt Cardona officially returned to WWE on the January 2 SmackDown episode, defeating Kit Wilson in singles action.

Since then, Cardona has lost televised matches to Trick Williams, the MFTs, then-US Champion Carmelo Hayes, Randy Orton and Aleister Black, with his only other on-screen victory seeing him and Apollo Crews defeat Fraxiom on the March 19 episode of WWE main event.

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While some believe his return to WWE hasn’t been worthwhile, several TV segments have established that Cardona’s goal is to win the WWE Championship, indicating that this is a storyline the company could revisit in the future.

Matt Cardona is one world title win away from being a WWE Grand Slam winner, and as the likes of current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes have proven, you can never say never in WWE.

The latest WWE updates and news stories on the road to WrestleMania 42 can be found right here. 

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