Every time talent is released from WWE, it could possibly be difficult for a person performer to bounce back and find success in outside promotions, with many often struggling to get bookings for months or sometimes years. Nonetheless, Matt Cardona, formerly referred to as Zack Ryder, has been the exception to the rule, having built himself a formidable resume within the last half-decade after being released from WWE in 2020. Cardona’s labor led him to avoid falling into indie obscurity and proved to be a hot commodity amongst every promotion not named WWE. That said, after achieving nearly every part there’s to perform on the indie scene in five years, Cardona often questions why WWE hasn’t taken one other likelihood on him, as he told Chris Van Vliet earlier this yr that he believes he’s earned one other shot in the corporate.
“I’ve reached out persistently. I should say many, a couple of times, every couple months when something cool happens or I actually have something to say, hey, look what I’m doing. There’s been no offer,” Cardona explained on “Insight.” “I’ve said this one million times. Once I got released, it wasn’t like, ‘What can I do to get back to WWE?’ It was ‘What can I do to prove myself,’ right?… It makes me sick to say because I feel like I’ve said it so persistently, nevertheless it’s the reality. I feel like I actually have. But man, like, what else do we want to do to get back there?”
Despite still being frustrated with WWE, Cardona stated that he’s dedicated to working hard and never giving up on his dreams, even when he doesn’t know what else he needs for the promotion to sign him.
For those who use any of the quotes in this text, please credit “Insight” with a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.