5 non-AEW Superstars who could answer Cody's TNT Championship Open Challenge

#3 Zack Ryder/Matt Cardona

Zack and Cody

k Ryder - now going by his real name Matt Cardona -was among one of the few names that WWE let go recently and, since his departure from the company, fans have been hoping that the former WWE Intercontinental Champion would show up in AEW, solely due to his relationship with Cody.

In the aftermath of his release, Cardona did claim that Cody is his only friend in the wrestling business, and considering his off-screen relationship with the AEW Executive Vice President, it could actually only be a matter of time before the former Ryder makes his official AEW debut.

Having the former Intercontinental Champion step up as a challenger for Cody's TNT Championship would be the perfect manner to introduce Cardona to All Elite Wrestling. Regardless of the outcome of his title match against Cody, the former WWE Superstar could receive the perfect boost to get-off to a solid start in AEW.

Let's not forget, Cardona's long-term tag team partner Curt Hawkins - no going by Brian Meyers - was also let go by WWE and maybe the latter could accompany Ryder in his tenure with AEW and eventually add some more depth to the AEW Tag Team Division.