Former WWE Intercontinental Champion unlikely to sign with AEW - Reports

AEW is currently home to notable former WWE Intercontinental Champions such as Chris Jericho, Adam Copeland, Jon Moxley, and Jeff Jarrett. There are also several free agents who had significant runs with the coveted title, such as JBL, Ryback, Rob Van Dam, and Santino Marella, among others. AEW sources just provided a backstage update on the status of one decorated veteran.

Matt Cardona's 15-year run with World Wrestling Entertainment ended in April 2020, but that same year the former Zack Ryder went on to find immense success on the indies and in promotions such as TNA, GCW, MLW, and the NWA, plus Tony Khan's All Elite Wrestling and Ring of Honor.

Amid rumors of Khan finally signing Cardona after their awkward 2020 meeting set up by Cody Rhodes, the 39-year-old defeated Bryan Keith on the recent Winter Is Coming Rampage. However, he then unsuccessfully challenged ROH World Champion Chris Jericho at Final Battle this past Friday.

Cardona's AEW future remains up in the air amid constant and renewed rumors on a potential WWE return to unite with his wife, inaugural Women's United States Champion Chelsea Green. Fightful Select has now reported on how chatter continues to swirl about Cardona receiving an offer from Khan, but sources could not provide confirmation.

While details are scarce, Cardona has reportedly told people he was not signed by AEW, and that he has no plan to join Khan's company as of now.

Rumors and speculation are blaming the potential drama between AEW and GCW on why Cardona is not being signed by Khan. However, Fightful Select dismissed this narrative, noting that Cardona is not under contract to Game Changer Wrestling, as no one is.

The internet sensation has been adamant about not signing an exclusive contract in the past as free agency allows freedom and flexibility, similar to what we've heard from The Hardys in recent years. Cardona continues to work for various promotions, with recent appearances for AEW, ROH, TNA, GCW, CSW, Revolver Pro, and wXw, among others.

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Matt Cardona on entering through AEW and ROH fans

Matt Cardona worked the co-main event of ROH Final Battle on Friday, losing to World Champion Chris Jericho in just over eighteen minutes. His parents were in the crowd and got involved, for his ROH debut.

The former Zack Ryder previously issued a telling statement on his Final Battle loss. Cardona then took to X/Twitter last night to explain why he made his entrance through the crowd of All Elite Wrestling and Ring of Honor fans.

"I’d be nothing without my fans…and I’m still a die hard wrestling fan at heart. It felt right to make my entrance through the people at #ROHFinalBattle! @ringofhonor," Matt Cardona wrote with the video below.

Cardona's win over Bryan Keith at Winter Is Coming Rampage was his fourth All Elite Wrestling match. He teamed up with Cody Rhodes and others for wins over The Dark Order in July and September 2020, then failed to dethrone then-TNT Champion Adam Copeland in March.