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AEW is closing 2024 out with a bang. The company is presenting several special editions of its weekly shows ahead of the Worlds End pay-per-view, and even ROH has built some hype after the debut of Matt Cardona (fka Zack Ryder). A new report has shed light on the former WWE Intercontinental Champion's status with Tony Khan's promotions.
Matt Cardona had a short stint with All Elite Wrestling back in 2020, then shockingly returned to the promotion for a one-off match with his mentor, Adam Copeland, in March of this year. The Indy God's most recent AEW appearance was a Rampage bout against Bryan Keith last week, but he also made his Ring of Honor debut to challenge for Chris Jericho's ROH World Championship at Final Battle.
Fans have been wondering whether Cardona might sign with AEW/ROH after his latest string of matches, but it seems the 39-year-old is still a free agent at the moment. Fightful Select has reported that Cardona has not inked a contract with All Elite Wrestling yet.
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The report also notes that The Indy God injured his ankle during his match with Jericho and had to be helped to the back. However, he's hopeful that the recovery will be quick.
Matt Cardona was devastated when he didn't receive an offer from AEW in 2020
Zack Ryder was released from WWE in April 2020 in a round of COVID-19 budget cuts. Much of the wrestling industry was shut down at the time, but AEW was still producing live episodes of Dynamite from Daily's Place in Jacksonville, FL, and it wasn't long before Matt Cardona showed up in the promotion.
Cardona teamed up with his longtime friend Cody Rhodes and competed in two matches for Tony Khan's promotion. However, things didn't work out, and he ultimately left to make his name on the independent scene.
In an interview with Inside the Ropes Magazine, Cardona revealed that AEW didn't offer him a contract despite his successful debut. He was devastated at the time, as he felt that he had a lot to offer to the company:
"I’m not sure [why I didn’t receive a contract]. I thought I delivered on the shows. My merch was the number one shirt of the week. At the time I was devastated that I did not get offered a contract, I absolutely was, because there was nowhere else to go and build my name."
Cardona further called his departure from AEW a "blessing in disguise" because he was able to forge his own path on the independent scene after the pandemic. The Indy God is now one of the top free agents in the wrestling industry, and whether he signs with All Elite Wrestling or returns to WWE remains to be seen.
