Matthew Cardona
Acting
- Born:
- 1985-05-14
- Place of birth:
- Merrick, New York, USA
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
Danhausen’s Very Nice, Very Evil Halloween Special
Death Match King
Down the Long River
Royal Rumble 2026
TNA Final Resolution 2025
TNA Bound for Glory 2025
TNA Victory Road 2025
TNA Emergence 2025
WWE: Unreal
TNA Slammiversary 2025
Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling: Resurrection
TNA Under Siege 2025
Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling: Northern Rising
TNA Rebellion 2025
Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling - Mayhem Night 2
ROH Final Battle 2024
GCW Dream On
TNA Bound for Glory 2024
GCW Fight Club 2024 - Night 2
TNA Victory Road 2024
TNA Emergence 2024
JCW Lunacy
GCW Joey Janela's Spring Break 8
Johnny Loves Taya
GCW: The Coldest Winter 2
GCW: Highest in The Room 2
DDT Ultimate Party 2023
IMPACT Wrestling: Bound For Glory 2023
GCW Cage of Survival 2
GCW Lifestyle
GCW Into The Light
IMPACT Wrestling: Hard to Kill 2023
IMPACT Wrestling: Over Drive 2022
NWA Hard Times in New Orleans
Jim Crockett Promotions: Ric Flair's Last Match
World Series Wrestling: Phoenix Rising (Night 3)
World Series Wrestling: Phoenix Rising (Night 2)
World Series Wrestling: Phoenix Rising (Night 1)
GCW Downward Spiral
IMPACT Wrestling: Rebellion 2022
IMPACT Wrestling: Multiverse of Matches
NWA Crockett Cup 2022: Night 2
Hey! (EW)
GCW Welcome To Heartbreak
IMPACT Wrestling: No Surrender 2022
The WRLD on GCW
IMPACT Wrestling: Hard to Kill 2022
IMPACT Wrestling: Throwback Throwdown II
GCW Blood on the Hills
WrestleCade Supershow 2021
IMPACT Wrestling: Turning Point 2021
GCW Evil Deeds
IMPACT Wrestling: Bound For Glory 2021
GCW Fight Club
IMPACT Wrestling: Victory Road 2021
GCW: Off The Rails
IMPACT Wrestling: Emergence 2021
All Elite Wrestling: Rampage
IMPACT Wrestling: Homecoming 2021
GCW Homecoming Weekend 2021 - Night 1
GCW Homecoming Part I
IMPACT Wrestling: Slammiversary 2021
Free The Narrative
IMPACT Wrestling: Under Siege 2021
IMPACT Wrestling: Rebellion 2021
IMPACT Wrestling: Hardcore Justice 2021
Before the Impact
IMPACT Wrestling: No Surrender 2021
AEW All Out 2020
WWE Elimination Chamber 2020
WWE Survivor Series 2019
WWE Crown Jewel 2019
All Elite Wrestling: Dynamite
WWE Stomping Grounds
WWE Super ShowDown 2019
WWE WrestleMania 35
WWE WrestleMania 35 Kickoff
Making Fun: The Story of Funko
WWE Clash of Champions 2017
WWE Hell in a Cell 2017
WWE Money in the Bank 2017
WWE: Best Pay-Per-View Matches of 2016
WWE TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs 2016
WWE Survivor Series 2016
WWE No Mercy 2016
WWE Backlash 2016
WWE Battleground 2016
WWE WrestleMania 32
WWE 24: Wrestlemania Dallas
The Edge and Christian Show That Totally Reeks of Awesomeness
NXT TakeOver: London
WWE Swerved
WWE Elimination Chamber 2015
WWE WrestleMania 31
WWE Royal Rumble 2015
WWE Tribute to the Troops 2014
WWE Battleground 2014
WWE WrestleMania XXX
Wrestlemania Rewind
WWE Payback 2013
WWE Royal Rumble 2013
The JBL and Cole Show
CM Punk: Best in the World
WWE Main Event
WWE Night of Champions 2012
WWE: Undertaker 20-0 - The Streak
WWE The Great American Bash 2012: Super Smackdown Live!
WWE Over The Limit 2012
WWE Extreme Rules 2012
WWE WrestleMania XXVIII
WWE Royal Rumble 2012
WWE TLC: Tables Ladders & Chairs 2011
WWE Survivor Series 2011
WWE Vengeance 2011
WWE Royal Rumble 2011
WWE Fatal 4-Way 2010
WWE Wrestlemania XXVI
WWE NXT
WWE Royal Rumble 2010
WWE WrestleMania XXV
WWE The Great American Bash 2008
WWE Night of Champions 2008
WWE One Night Stand 2008
WWE Judgment Day 2008
WWE WrestleMania XXIV
WWE Royal Rumble 2008
WWE Armageddon 2007
WWE ECW
TNA iMPACT!
WWE Friday Night SmackDown
E! True Hollywood Story
Raw
The Herro's Journey: A Pro Wrestling Story