Matt Cardona comments on a potential WWE return as Zack Ryder

Matt Cardona appeared on the Notsam Wrestling podcast to talk about his upcoming appearance on “The Last Match: A Pro Wrestling Rock Musical” on November 14th.

Cardona said, "This was presented to me, and at first I was like, oh my god, like a wrestling musical. Like, oh, I don't want to do this. But then I was talking to the producers and they were so passionate about it. I read the script, and it was actually really good. It felt like something I could sink my teeth into. I definitely felt it could be something and I didn't want to turn it down, and then it blow up and I regret turning it down."

"I was looking at the other people on board and they're starring in Broadway currently. So I'm like, guys like Ramin, (Tony award nominee Ramin Karimloo) who’s the lead, or co-lead. I guess I consider myself a co-lead. If he's doing this, if he's taking time, you know, he's in Funny Girl right now, and if he's taking time to do this, I'd be a fool to turn it down."

Cardona was asked if he went back to WWE, would it be as Zack Ryder or Matt Cardona:

"I would have a conversation. I'm not saying we haven't already. Who's to say who's to say? I think Zack Ryder is dead. Would it be cool? A woo woo, would that get a bigger pop maybe for one night as opposed to 'Alwayz ready'? Maybe, because that's more familiar with the WWE Universe and audience. But if I were to go back, I think it has to be as Matt Cardona. I I say like, you know, Razor Ramon came back as Scott Hall. I'm so fortunate for that time as Zack Ryder. It has set me up. When I say WWE was my developmental, that's not a shot. That's not anti-WWE. WWE taught me everything. It taught me how to have this run in all these promotions. It taught me how to do these interviews. It taught me how to be a superstar. So I'm forever grateful to WWE for that. But if I ever go back, I think it has to be as me, as Matt Cardona."

Cardona said he’s made more money in wrestling in 2022 than in any year in his career:

I'm not saying I'm getting rich off these foam fingers or getting rich off these always ready dog tags. You make a little here. You make a little there. At the end of the year, holy sh*t. I mean, this might be hard to believe, but I made more money in 2022 than I made in any year in my WWE career. You think about that for a second. That independent wrestler, unsigned, making more money than a WWE contract. That is the truth.”

Click below to listen to the entire interview.

If you use any portion of the quotes from this article please credit Notsam Wrestling with a h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription.