John Cena Reacts To Zack Ryder Returning For WWE Last Time Is Now Tournament

WWE

John Cena has reacted to Zack Ryder’s WWE SmackDown return, with Ryder competing in the Last Time is Now tournament.

During the November 14 SmackDown episode, Matt Cardona – appearing as Zack Ryder – was revealed to be LA Knight’s surprise opponent in the first round of the tournament set to determine John Cena’s final opponent.

While Ryder ultimately came up short, John Cena has now reacted to this comeback, sharing a nod to the returning star on Instagram.

Cena posted a photo from Ryder’s WWE SmackDown entrance, which you can view below.

As always, John Cena posted this photo without a caption.

John Cena last shared the ring with Zack Ryder on the May 25, 2015 Raw episode, with Ryder answering Cena’s US Championship open challenge.

Friday Night SmackDown marked Matt Cardona’s first in-ring appearance as Zack Ryder in over five years, previously losing to Bobby Lashley on the March 9, 2020 Raw episode, ahead of his WWE release that April.

With the star wrestling as Matt Cardona outside of company, and on the October 7 NXT episode, Zack Ryder has now addressed bringing back his WWE character.

John Cena gives a nod to Zack Ryder following Ryder's return for the Last Time Is Now tournament on SmackDown 👇 pic.twitter.com/jqYJzTiRlR

— WrestleTalk (@WrestleTalk_TV) November 15, 2025

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• John Cena
• Return
• zack ryder
• matt cardona
• wwe

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