Recently Released WWE Star Says Deal Was Up In August, Was Debating Leaving

One of the wrestlers released during ‘Black Wednesday’ last month was former United States and Intercontinental Champion Zack Ryder. Ryder, along with his tag team partner Curt Hawkins, first joined WWE in 2006, and was never really pushed to his full potential, despite being a clear favourite of the crowd.

Ryder’s release caught many people by surprise, but it has emerged that the former Raw Tag Team Champion was actually considering leaving WWE this Summer anyway, perhaps explaining why he was let go.

Speaking on Busted Open Radio, Zack Ryder (real name Matt Cardona) revealed that he was actually considering leaving WWE this summer, with his deal set to expire in three months:

“We all got a mass text to watch this Vince McMahon video explaining that these cuts would be happening, so I can’t say it was unexpected. I never re-signed my contract, so my deal was going to be up in August and I had been dealing with contract negotiations for over a year. The anxiety I had about it, ‘Do I stay, do I go.’ It was really eating me up. When the call was made and I was released, the decision was made for me. Instantly, I was relieved. The anxiety that I had for over a year, it was instantly gone. I felt so excited. I want to work and be creative. Now, to do whatever I want — I was fortunate to be with WWE for 14 years. I grew up there — but it’s time for me to do it my way and do my thing. To fail or succeed on my own. I feel like it’s Christmas morning and I see the presents, I just can’t open them yet. I can’t wait to get out there and wrestle everybody.”

Interestingly, Ryder notes that he was ‘relieved” when he got the call saying he’d been let go. This is certainly not the reaction you’d expect someone to have when they find out they’ve been fired from their job in the middle of a global pandemic.

Ryder is widely expected to, when his non-compete clause expires, move to AEW and join his close personal friend Cody. For the latest on Ryder’s future, make sure you stay tuned to WrestleTalk.com.

• zack ryder
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