Report: Some In WWE Want Matt Cardona Back As Zack Ryder

There’s internal appetite within WWE to see Matt Cardona return to his old Zack Ryder persona, according to a report on his time back with the company following his return earlier this year.

Cardona, who spent years building an independent and All Elite Wrestling résumé under his own name after his initial WWE departure, rejoined the company in 2026. Since then, some in WWE have reportedly floated the idea of eventually repackaging him as Zack Ryder, the gimmick that made him a cult favorite in the late 2000s and early 2010s thanks to his self-produced ‘Z! True Long Island Story’ web series and tag run alongside Curt Hawkins.

It’s worth noting that a full name change would be a notable structural shift, since Cardona has spent the better part of a decade establishing himself under his real name across AEW, Impact Wrestling and the independent scene, where he built one of wrestling’s most recognizable merchandise and social media brands as ‘Matt Cardona.’ Whether WWE would look to fold that existing brand equity into a Zack Ryder relaunch, or simply see nostalgic value in reviving the character outright, remains unclear.

No final decision has been made public, and WWE has not commented on any plans to rename Cardona going forward. For now, he continues to work under the Matt Cardona name since returning to the company.

Given how closely fans associate him with the ‘Broski’ persona from his original WWE run, a switch back to Zack Ryder wouldn’t come as a shock if the company decides nostalgia outweighs the years of independent branding he’s built since leaving. Whether that pitch gains traction remains to be seen, and any further movement on the idea will likely play out on WWE television in the months ahead.