Matthew Cardona

Rate Person

Matthew Cardona

Acting

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.

Films Featuring Matthew Cardona

WWE Tribute to the Troops 2014

WWE Tribute to the Troops 2014

201410.0

CM Punk: Best in the World

20128.2

Free The Narrative

2021

GCW Fight Club

20217.6

IMPACT Wrestling: Hardcore Justice 2021

20216.0

IMPACT Wrestling: Bound For Glory 2021

20217.1

GCW Evil Deeds

2021

WrestleCade Supershow 2021

202110.0

IMPACT Wrestling: Turning Point 2021

20215.0

IMPACT Wrestling: Throwback Throwdown II

2021

GCW Homecoming Weekend 2021 - Night 1

2021

GCW Blood on the Hills

2021

IMPACT Wrestling: Hard to Kill 2022

20227.0

WWE TLC: Tables Ladders & Chairs 2011

20117.1

The WRLD on GCW

2022

WWE Royal Rumble 2011

20117.0

WWE Vengeance 2011

20116.8

IMPACT Wrestling: No Surrender 2022

2022

WWE Royal Rumble 2010

20107.7

WWE WrestleMania XXVIII

20127.9

GCW Welcome To Heartbreak

2022

WWE Over The Limit 2012

20126.8

IMPACT Wrestling: Multiverse of Matches

20223.5

WWE Night of Champions 2012

20128.0

GCW Cage of Survival 2

20236.5

WWE Royal Rumble 2013

20137.2

GCW Homecoming Part I

2021

IMPACT Wrestling: Rebellion 2022

20225.5

WWE No Mercy 2016

20167.0

GCW Into The Light

2023

GCW Downward Spiral

2022

GCW Lifestyle

2023

WWE Royal Rumble 2015

20155.9

GCW: Off The Rails

2021

WWE TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs 2016

20167.5

WWE Money in the Bank 2017

20176.1

WWE Battleground 2014

20146.4

WWE The Great American Bash 2008

20087.4

WWE Wrestlemania XXVI

20107.7

WWE WrestleMania 31

20158.0

WWE Elimination Chamber 2015

20156.8

WWE Survivor Series 2011

20117.4

WWE Extreme Rules 2012

20127.6

WWE Payback 2013

20137.1

NWA Crockett Cup 2022: Night 2

2022

IMPACT Wrestling: Bound For Glory 2023

20237.0

Jim Crockett Promotions: Ric Flair's Last Match

20226.0

DDT Ultimate Party 2023

2023

World Series Wrestling: Phoenix Rising (Night 1)

2022

World Series Wrestling: Phoenix Rising (Night 2)

2022

World Series Wrestling: Phoenix Rising (Night 3)

2022

IMPACT Wrestling: Over Drive 2022

20225.3

WWE Clash of Champions 2017

20176.5

NWA Hard Times in New Orleans

2022

GCW Joey Janela's Spring Break 8

2024

IMPACT Wrestling: Hard to Kill 2023

20235.0

IMPACT Wrestling: Slammiversary 2021

20216.5

WWE Armageddon 2007

20076.2

WWE Judgment Day 2008

20087.6

WWE One Night Stand 2008

20088.2

WWE Night of Champions 2008

20087.6

WWE WrestleMania XXV

20097.8

IMPACT Wrestling: Homecoming 2021

2021

WWE WrestleMania 32

20167.1

WWE Hell in a Cell 2017

20177.0

WWE Fatal 4-Way 2010

20107.6

WWE Battleground 2016

20165.5

GCW: The Coldest Winter 2

2024

WWE Backlash 2016

20166.9

WWE Survivor Series 2019

20198.4

WWE WrestleMania 35

20197.2

WWE Super ShowDown 2019

20196.0

WWE Stomping Grounds

20197.5

WWE Survivor Series 2016

20166.7

WWE Elimination Chamber 2020

20207.1

IMPACT Wrestling: Victory Road 2021

2021

TNA Emergence 2024

20245.8

WWE 24: Wrestlemania Dallas

201610.0

WWE: Best Pay-Per-View Matches of 2016

2017

Making Fun: The Story of Funko

20186.5

WWE Crown Jewel 2019

20195.0

WWE Royal Rumble 2008

20087.5

WWE Royal Rumble 2012

20127.1

WWE The Great American Bash 2012: Super Smackdown Live!

201210.0

WWE: Undertaker 20-0 - The Streak

20128.8

WWE WrestleMania XXIV

20088.1

AEW All Out 2020

20207.5

WWE WrestleMania XXX

20147.9

IMPACT Wrestling: No Surrender 2021

20216.5

NXT TakeOver: London

20157.0

IMPACT Wrestling: Rebellion 2021

20217.0

IMPACT Wrestling: Under Siege 2021

2021

IMPACT Wrestling: Emergence 2021

2021

TNA Victory Road 2024

20245.5

GCW Fight Club 2024 - Night 2

2024

TNA Bound for Glory 2024

20246.5

GCW Dream On

2024

Down the Long River

2026

ROH Final Battle 2024

20246.2

WWE WrestleMania 35 Kickoff

WWE WrestleMania 35 Kickoff

2019

TNA Rebellion 2025

20257.0

Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling: Northern Rising

20257.5

TNA Under Siege 2025

20255.0

The Herro's Journey: A Pro Wrestling Story

Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling: Resurrection

20256.0

TNA Slammiversary 2025

20255.2

TNA Emergence 2025

20255.5

TNA Victory Road 2025

2025

TNA Bound for Glory 2025

20256.7

TNA Final Resolution 2025

20257.0

Royal Rumble 2026

20267.1

Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling - Mayhem Night 2

20255.0

Death Match King

Death Match King

2026

GCW: Highest in The Room 2

2023