Known For
Acting
Born
May 14, 1985
Place of Birth
Merrick, New York, USA
Credits
133 titles
Matthew Cardona
Biography
Matthew Brett Cardona (born May 14, 1985) is an American professional wrestler and actor. He is signed to WWE, where he performs under his real name. He previously performed in WWE from 2006 to 2020 under the ring name Zack Ryder, and is also known for his tenures in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) and the independent circuit. Cardona debuted in professional wrestling in 2004, teaming with Brian Myers on the independent circuit. Both men were signed by WWE the following year, making their main roster debuts in 2007. After the team split in 2009, he made appearances on WWE's ECW brand until 2010, following which he was featured sparingly on television. In 2011, he launched a YouTube web series in which he proclaimed himself WWE's "Internet Champion"; this, along with his creative use of social media, helped him establish a substantial cult following. Over the course of his time with WWE, Cardona held the Intercontinental, United States, and (Raw) Tag Team Championships (the latter with Hawkins on two occasions). After being released by WWE in April 2020, Cardona has made appearances in major wrestling promotions including All Elite Wrestling (AEW), Impact Wrestling, and the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), as well as throughout the American independent circuit, most notably in Game Changer Wrestling (GCW). He has since won various championships including the NWA World's Heavyweight Championship, Impact Digital Media Championship, and GCW World Championship. During this time he received critical praise, being named Indie Wrestler of the Year in 2022 and in 2023 by Pro Wrestling Illustrated. He returned to WWE in October 2025 and re-signed with the promotion in January 2026.
Known For
Filmography
Death Match King
Self
Down the Long River
Karl Reeves
Royal Rumble 2026
Matt Cardona
TNA Final Resolution 2025
Matt Cardona
TNA Bound for Glory 2025
Matt Cardona
TNA Victory Road 2025
Matt Cardona
TNA Emergence 2025
Matt Cardona
WWE: Unreal
Self
TNA Slammiversary 2025
Matt Cardona
Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling: Resurrection
Matt Cardona
TNA Under Siege 2025
Matt Cardona
Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling: Northern Rising
Matt Cardona
TNA Rebellion 2025
Matt Cardona
Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling - Mayhem Night 2
ROH Final Battle 2024
Matt Cardona
GCW Dream On
Matt Cardona
TNA Bound for Glory 2024
Matt Cardona
GCW Fight Club 2024 - Night 2
TNA Victory Road 2024
Matt Cardona
TNA Emergence 2024
Matt Cardona
JCW Lunacy
Matt Cardona
GCW Joey Janela's Spring Break 8
Matt Cardona
Johnny Loves Taya
Matt Cardona
GCW: The Coldest Winter 2
Matt Cardona
GCW: Highest in The Room 2
Matt Cardona
DDT Ultimate Party 2023
IMPACT Wrestling: Bound For Glory 2023
Matt Cardona
GCW Cage of Survival 2
Matt Cardona
GCW Lifestyle
Matt Cardona
GCW Into The Light
Matt Cardona
IMPACT Wrestling: Hard to Kill 2023
Matt Cardona
IMPACT Wrestling: Over Drive 2022
Matt Cardona
NWA Hard Times in New Orleans
Jim Crockett Promotions: Ric Flair's Last Match
Matt Cardona
World Series Wrestling: Phoenix Rising (Night 3)
World Series Wrestling: Phoenix Rising (Night 2)
World Series Wrestling: Phoenix Rising (Night 1)
GCW Downward Spiral
Matt Cardona
IMPACT Wrestling: Rebellion 2022
Matt Cardona
IMPACT Wrestling: Multiverse of Matches
Matt Cardona
NWA Crockett Cup 2022: Night 2
himself
Hey! (EW)
Matt Cardona
GCW Welcome To Heartbreak
Matt Cardona
IMPACT Wrestling: No Surrender 2022
Matt Cardona
The WRLD on GCW
Allie Katch
IMPACT Wrestling: Hard to Kill 2022
Matt Cardona
IMPACT Wrestling: Throwback Throwdown II
GI Broski
GCW Blood on the Hills
Matt Cardona
WrestleCade Supershow 2021
Matt Cardona
IMPACT Wrestling: Turning Point 2021
Matt Cardona