Promoter Discusses Matt Cardona Continuing To Inspire People

AEW

A promoter has discussed Matt Cardona continuing to inspire people.

Following his WWE release in 2020, Matt Cardona, formerly known as Zack Ryder, debuted to kick off a memorable GCW run at GCW Zombie Walk 2021, where he attacked Nick Gage.

Cardona went on to defeat Gage for the GCW World Championship in a death match at GCW Homecoming 2021.

The former Zack Ryder has since become a top heel across multiple different promotions and has made his impact felt across the wrestling world, including in Game Changer Wrestling where he still works.

Speaking on The Business of the Business with Lavie Margolin and John Poz, GCW promoter Brett Lauderdale was asked about Freddie Prinze Jr.’s previous comments about how Cardona’s initial GCW run inspired him to start a wrestling promotion. He answered:

“Freddie Prinze [Jr.]…in terms of him being inspired by Matt Cardona, a lot of people were inspired by Matt Cardona, people from the WWE bubble that might not have understood what the indies were or might not have understood what was out there.”

“Matt definitely inspired a lot of people and continues to. But yeah, that initial GCW run, that was, pardon the pun, that was a game-changer in so many ways.”

“I think that the influence it had in the short term and the long term, I think we’re gonna continue to feel the ramifications of his success. I think it just made everybody look differently at the indies,”

Matt Cardona currently works with GCW, MLW and made his return to IMPACT Wrestling at the Bound For Glory pay-per-view.

Lauderdale also addressed the availability of AEW talent on the independent scene elsewhere in the interview, which you can read at this link.

Transcription via Fightful

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• Brett Lauderdale
• matt cardona
• GCW

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