Matt Cardona

Matt Cardona

ActiveinWWESMACKDOWN

Real Name:

Matthew Brett Cardona

Billed From:

Long Island, NY

Billed Height:

6′ 2″

Billed Weight:

224 lbs

Debut:

2004

Retired:

Still Active

Birthday:

05/14/1985

Age: 41
Promotions Wrestled in:WWE | TNA | ROH | NWA | AEW | ECW | GCW | OVW | DSW | FCW | CHIKARA | HOG
Eras Wrestled in:The Ruthless Aggression Era | The PG Era | The Reality Era | The New Wave Era | The Modern Era
Championships Won (4)
1x WWE United States Champion1x WWE Intercontinental Champion1x WWE Raw Tag Team Champion1x WWE Tag Team Champion (2002 – 2016)

Career Summary

Zack Ryder rose to mainstream prominence as a true underdog and online pioneer, using social media, especially his “Z! True Long Island Story” YouTube show, to win over fans in a way WWE had never seen before.

With loud catchphrases, spiked hair, and bright neon gear, he turned that groundswell of support into real success in the ring, winning the WWE United States Championship and the Intercontinental Championship along with two WWE World Tag Team Championship reigns, one in 2008 and the other in 2019.

After leaving WWE in 2020 and wrestling as Matt Cardona, he rebuilt himself as the self-proclaimed “Indy God,” claiming world titles in promotions such as GCW and the NWA while shifting from internet comedy act to hard-hitting deathmatch wrestler and reliable independent main eventer.

He returned to WWE in November 2025 to take part in The Last Time Is Now tournament for a chance to become John Cena’s final opponent, reminding everyone how strong his connection with fans still is, even as his long-term future in the promotion remains uncertain.

Titles Held

BeltWonOpponent(s)Partner(s)EventDays Held
WWE Raw Tag Team Championship
Apr 7, 2019
The Revival
Curt Hawkins
Curt Hawkins
WrestleMania 35 East Rutherford, NJ64
WWE Intercontinental Championship(as Zack Ryder)
Apr 3, 2016
Stardust
Stardust
Sin Cara
Sin Cara
Dolph Ziggler
Dolph Ziggler
Kevin Owens
Kevin Owens
Sami Zayn
Sami Zayn
The Miz
The Miz
WrestleMania 321
WWE United States Championship(as Zack Ryder)
Dec 18, 2011
Dolph Ziggler
Dolph Ziggler
TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs 201129
WWE Tag Team Championship (2002 – 2016)
Jul 20, 2008
John Morrison and The Miz
John Morrison and The Miz
Finlay and Hornswoggle
Jesse and Festus
Curt Hawkins
Curt Hawkins
The Great American Bash 200863

Tag Teams

2 Teams
The Major Players The Major Players

The Major Players

with Brian Myers

2007 – 2009 | 2019 – 2020 | 2022 – 2023

2 Titles

Team Teddy Team Teddy Team Teddy Team Teddy Team Teddy Team Teddy

Team Teddy

with Booker T, The Great Khali, R-Truth, Santino Marella & Kofi Kingston

2012

Matches

5 Matches
#DatePromotionMatch DetailsMatch
1Jan 31, 2026WWE
Royal Rumble Match
Roman Reigns won
WWE Royal Rumble 2026 @ King Abullah Financial District in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
View Match: Roman Reigns won, Jan 31, 2026
2Jan 16, 2026WWE
Tournament Match | Undisputed WWE Championship #1 Contender Tournament 2026
Matt Cardona lost to Trick Williams
View Match: Matt Cardona lost to Trick Williams, Jan 16, 2026
3Nov 14, 2025
Tournament Match | The Last Time is Now Tournament 2025
Zack Ryder lost to LA Knight
View Match: Zack Ryder lost to LA Knight, Nov 14, 2025
4Apr 1, 2012WWE
12-Man Tag Team Match
Team Teddy lost to Team Johnny
WWE WrestleMania XXVIII (28) @ Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida
View Match: Team Teddy lost to Team Johnny, Apr 1, 2012
5Apr 3, 2011WWE
Battle Royal Match
The Great Khali won
WWE WrestleMania XXVII (27) @ Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia
View Match: The Great Khali won, Apr 3, 2011

Ring Names

  • Matt Cardona Current
  • Zack Ryder
  • Brett Major
  • Brett Matthews

Walk Out Music

Nicknames

  • The Ultimate Broski
  • Indy God
  • Long Island Iced-Z
  • The Internet Sensation
  • The Deathmatch King
  • The Woo Woo Woo Kid
  • The Complete

Catchphrases

  • “Woo Woo Woo! You know it!”
  • “Are you serious, bro?”
  • “Alwayz Ready!”

Photos

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