WWE star – “Zack Ryder needed to die” 

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This led to a flood of opportunities for him, culminating in a WWE return in January this year. Now, in an interview with Metro UK, Cardona talked about how he rebuilt his reputation after leaving behind the Zack Ryder character.

“Zack Ryder, that’s the reason I was able to be Matt Cardona on the independents and thrive,” he said.

Cardona noted how the character needed to die in order for his new persona to be built. He said everything he did as Zack Ryder and then as Matt Cardona led to him returning to the company.

“Zack Ryder needed to die for Matt Cardona to live. And I’m back now, right? I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for everything I did as Zack Ryder, then everything I did on the independents as Matt Cardona. It’s all me at the end,” he added.

Cardona made his return to WWE TV last year in NXT and then competed in the John Cena Last Time is Now Tournament as Zack Ryder. However, he officially returned to the company as Matt Cardona earlier this year.

Matt Cardona addresses WWE ambitions after return

Matt Cardona has been competing on SmackDown since his return and has gotten close to earning a couple of big opportunities on the brand.

He has insisted that he isn’t back with the promotion just for the sake of it and to be another guy in the promotion. After missing out on WrestleMania this year, he is keen to push on.

Cardona said he has to show more of his character from the indies, adding that the aggression needs to come out a bit more.