Matthew Cardona
- Known for
- Acting
- Born
- May 14, 1985 (age 41)
- Birthplace
- 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
The Herro's Journey: A Pro Wrestling Story
Movie · as Matthew Cardona
Down the Long River
Movie · as Karl Reeves
Royal Rumble 2026
Movie · as Matt Cardona
Death Match King
Movie · as Self
Danhausen’s Very Nice, Very Evil Halloween Special
Movie · as Matt Cardona
TNA Rebellion 2025
Movie · as Matt Cardona
Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling: Northern Rising
Movie · as Matt Cardona
TNA Under Siege 2025
Movie · as Matt Cardona
Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling: Resurrection
Movie · as Matt Cardona
TNA Slammiversary 2025
Movie · as Matt Cardona
TNA Emergence 2025
Movie · as Matt Cardona
TNA Victory Road 2025
Movie · as Matt Cardona
TNA Bound for Glory 2025
Movie · as Matt Cardona
TNA Final Resolution 2025
Movie · as Matt Cardona
Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling - Mayhem Night 2
Movie
WWE: Unreal
TV · as Self · 1 ep
GCW Joey Janela's Spring Break 8
Movie · as Matt Cardona
GCW: The Coldest Winter 2
Movie · as Matt Cardona
TNA Emergence 2024
Movie · as Matt Cardona
TNA Victory Road 2024
Movie · as Matt Cardona
GCW Fight Club 2024 - Night 2
Movie
TNA Bound for Glory 2024
Movie · as Matt Cardona
GCW Dream On
Movie · as Matt Cardona
ROH Final Battle 2024
Movie · as Matt Cardona
Johnny Loves Taya
TV · as Matt Cardona · 1 ep
JCW Lunacy
TV · as Matt Cardona · 2 eps
GCW Cage of Survival 2
Movie · as Matt Cardona
GCW Into The Light
Movie · as Matt Cardona
GCW Lifestyle
Movie · as Matt Cardona
IMPACT Wrestling: Bound For Glory 2023
Movie · as Matt Cardona
DDT Ultimate Party 2023
Movie
IMPACT Wrestling: Hard to Kill 2023
Movie · as Matt Cardona
GCW: Highest in The Room 2
Movie · as Matt Cardona
IMPACT Wrestling: Hard to Kill 2022
Movie · as Matt Cardona
The WRLD on GCW
Movie · as Allie Katch
IMPACT Wrestling: No Surrender 2022
Movie · as Matt Cardona
GCW Welcome To Heartbreak
Movie · as Matt Cardona
IMPACT Wrestling: Multiverse of Matches
Movie · as Matt Cardona
IMPACT Wrestling: Rebellion 2022
Movie · as Matt Cardona
GCW Downward Spiral
Movie · as Matt Cardona
NWA Crockett Cup 2022: Night 2
Movie · as himself
Jim Crockett Promotions: Ric Flair's Last Match
Movie · as Matt Cardona
World Series Wrestling: Phoenix Rising (Night 1)
Movie
World Series Wrestling: Phoenix Rising (Night 3)
Movie
World Series Wrestling: Phoenix Rising (Night 2)
Movie
IMPACT Wrestling: Over Drive 2022
Movie · as Matt Cardona
NWA Hard Times in New Orleans
Movie
Hey! (EW)
TV · as Matt Cardona · 1 ep
Free The Narrative
Movie · as Matt Cardona
GCW Fight Club
Movie · as Matt Cardona
IMPACT Wrestling: Hardcore Justice 2021
Movie
IMPACT Wrestling: Bound For Glory 2021
Movie · as Matt Cardona
GCW Evil Deeds
Movie · as Matt Cardona
WrestleCade Supershow 2021
Movie · as Matt Cardona
IMPACT Wrestling: Turning Point 2021
Movie · as Matt Cardona
IMPACT Wrestling: Throwback Throwdown II
Movie · as GI Broski
GCW Homecoming Weekend 2021 - Night 1
Movie
GCW Blood on the Hills
Movie · as Matt Cardona
GCW Homecoming Part I
Movie · as Matt Cardona
GCW: Off The Rails
Movie
IMPACT Wrestling: Slammiversary 2021
Movie
IMPACT Wrestling: Homecoming 2021
Movie
IMPACT Wrestling: Victory Road 2021
Movie · as Matt Cardona
IMPACT Wrestling: No Surrender 2021
Movie
IMPACT Wrestling: Rebellion 2021
Movie · as Matt Cardona
IMPACT Wrestling: Under Siege 2021
Movie · as Matt Cardona
IMPACT Wrestling: Emergence 2021
Movie · as Matt Cardona
Before the Impact
TV · 2 eps
All Elite Wrestling: Rampage
TV · as Matt Cardona · 2 eps
WWE Elimination Chamber 2020
Movie · as Zack Ryder (Preshow)
AEW All Out 2020
Movie · as Matt Cardona
WWE Survivor Series 2019
Movie · as Zack Ryder (Preshow)
WWE Super ShowDown 2019
Movie · as Zack Ryder
WWE WrestleMania 35
Movie · as Zack Ryder (Preshow)
WWE Stomping Grounds
Movie · as Zack Ryder (Appearance)
WWE Crown Jewel 2019
Movie · as Zack Ryder
WWE WrestleMania 35 Kickoff
Movie · as Zack Ryder
All Elite Wrestling: Dynamite
TV · as Matt Cardona · 4 eps
Making Fun: The Story of Funko
Movie · as Zack Ryder
WWE Money in the Bank 2017
Movie · as Zack Ryder (Preshow)
WWE Clash of Champions 2017
Movie · as Zack Ryder
WWE Hell in a Cell 2017
Movie · as Zack Ryder
WWE: Best Pay-Per-View Matches of 2016
Movie · as Zack Ryder
WWE No Mercy 2016
Movie · as Zack Ryder
WWE TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs 2016
Movie · as Zack Ryder (Preshow)
WWE WrestleMania 32
Movie · as Zack Ryder
WWE Battleground 2016
Movie · as Zack Ryder
WWE Backlash 2016
Movie · as Zack Ryder
WWE Survivor Series 2016
Movie · as Zack Ryder
WWE 24: Wrestlemania Dallas
Movie · as Zack Ryder
The Edge and Christian Show That Totally Reeks of Awesomeness
TV · as Zack Ryder · 1 ep
WWE Royal Rumble 2015
Movie · as Zack Ryder
WWE WrestleMania 31
Movie · as Zack Ryder
WWE Elimination Chamber 2015
Movie · as Zack Ryder
NXT TakeOver: London
Movie · as Zack Ryder
WWE Swerved
TV · as Zack Ryder · 4 eps
WWE Tribute to the Troops 2014
Movie
WWE Battleground 2014
Movie · as Zack Ryder
WWE WrestleMania XXX
Movie · as Zack Ryder
Wrestlemania Rewind
TV · as Zack Ryder · 2 eps
WWE Royal Rumble 2013
Movie · as Zack Ryder
WWE Payback 2013
Movie · as Zack Ryder (Lumberjack)
CM Punk: Best in the World
Movie · as Zack Ryder
WWE WrestleMania XXVIII
Movie · as Zack Ryder
WWE Over The Limit 2012
Movie · as Zack Ryder
WWE Night of Champions 2012
Movie · as Zack Ryder
WWE Extreme Rules 2012
Movie · as Zack Ryder (Appearance)
WWE Royal Rumble 2012
Movie · as Zack Ryder
WWE The Great American Bash 2012: Super Smackdown Live!
Movie · as Zack Ryder
WWE: Undertaker 20-0 - The Streak
Movie · as Zack Ryder (archive footage)
The JBL and Cole Show
TV · as Zack Ryder · 2 eps
WWE Main Event
TV · as Zack Ryder, Matt Cardona · 7 eps
WWE TLC: Tables Ladders & Chairs 2011
Movie · as Zack Ryder
WWE Royal Rumble 2011
Movie · as Zack Ryder
WWE Vengeance 2011
Movie · as Zack Ryder
WWE Survivor Series 2011
Movie · as Zack Ryder
WWE Royal Rumble 2010
Movie · as Zack Ryder
WWE Wrestlemania XXVI
Movie · as Zack Ryder
WWE Fatal 4-Way 2010
Movie · as Zack Ryder (Preshow)
WWE NXT
TV · as Zack Ryder, zack Ryder, Matt Cardona · 5 eps
WWE WrestleMania XXV
Movie · as Zack Ryder (Lumberjack)
WWE The Great American Bash 2008
Movie · as Zack Ryder
WWE One Night Stand 2008
Movie · as Zack Ryder (Appearance)
WWE Judgment Day 2008
Movie · as Zack Ryder (Appearance)
WWE Night of Champions 2008
Movie · as Zack Ryder (Ringside)
WWE Royal Rumble 2008
Movie · as Zack Ryder
WWE WrestleMania XXIV
Movie · as Zack Ryder
WWE Armageddon 2007
Movie · as Zack Ryder (Edgehead #1)
WWE ECW
TV · as Zack Ryder · 1 ep
TNA iMPACT!
TV · as Matt Cardona · 94 eps
WWE Friday Night SmackDown
TV · as Zack Ryder, Matt Cardona · 67 eps
E! True Hollywood Story
TV · as Ryder (archive footage) · 1 ep
Raw
TV · as Zack Ryder · 22 eps