Zack Ryder / Matt Cardona: Profile, Career, Face/Heel Turns, Titles Won, Gimmick Evolution and Stats

On this page, you find the full wrestling profile of Zack Ryder / Matt Cardona, with his Career History, real name, age, height and weight, the Promotions he worked for, all the Face/Heel turns, the Championship Titles he won, his Finishers, Theme Songs, Tag Teams and Stables, his appearance changes through the years, and more.

Matthew Brett Cardona was born in Merrick, New York on May 14, 1985, and he is currently 38 years old.

He is currently a Wrestler, working for GCW and Independent promotions, under the ring name of Matt Cardona.

Profile Info

Gender Male

Real Name Matthew Brett Cardona

Ring Names

Matt Cardona ( April 16, 2020 - Present)
Zack Ryder ( December 21, 2007 - April 15, 2020)
Brett Major ( March 18, 2007 - December 20, 2007)
Brett Matthews ( August 14, 2004 - April 22, 2006)

Born May 14, 1985 (age 38)

Nationality

United States

Birth Place Merrick, New York

Billed From

Long Island, New York

Height 6 ft 2 in (188 cm)

Weight

224 lbs (102 kg)

Nicknames Alwayz Ready; The Ultimate Broski; Long Island Iced-Z; The Internet Sensation; The Woo Woo Woo Kid

Career History

Roles

Wrestler ( August 14, 2004 - Present)
Assistant GM ( July 25, 2011 - December 18, 2011)

Companies / Promotions

Promotion	from	to
Promotion GCW	July 24, 2021	Present
Promotion INDY	April 8, 2021	Present
Promotion NWA	December 4, 2021	February 21, 2023
Promotion IMPACT	January 16, 2021	February 9, 2023
Promotion AEW	July 29, 2020	September 5, 2020
Promotion WWEBrand Raw	October 16, 2019	April 15, 2020
Promotion WWE	October 14, 2019	October 15, 2019
Promotion WWEBrand Raw	April 16, 2018	October 13, 2019
Promotion WWEBrand SmackDown	July 19, 2016	April 15, 2018
Promotion WWE	August 29, 2011	July 18, 2016
Promotion WWEBrand Raw	February 17, 2010	August 28, 2011
Promotion WWEBrand ECW	April 15, 2009	February 16, 2010
Promotion WWEBrand SmackDown	June 17, 2007	April 14, 2009
Promotion WWEBrand ECW	March 18, 2007	June 16, 2007
Promotion OVW	May 9, 2007	November 7, 2007

Face / Heel Turns

Alignment	from	to
Heel	February 3, 2022	Present
Face	April 15, 2009	February 2, 2022
Heel	December 21, 2007	April 14, 2009
Face	August 14, 2004	December 20, 2007

Images

Jul 2020

Apr 2016

Mar 2015

Apr 2014

Jan 2013

May 2009

Dec 2007

Feb 2006

Finishers

Rough Ryder / Radio Silence - Jumping Leg Lariat ( February 17, 2010 - Present)
Elbro Drop - Diving Elbow Drop ( July 19, 2016 - April 15, 2020)
Zack Attack - Inverted Overdrive ( April 15, 2009 - February 17, 2010)
Lifting Inverted DDT ( August 14, 2004 - September 26, 2008)

Theme Songs

Theme Song "When the Lights Go Down" by Downstait - Single ( July 29, 2020 - Present)
Theme Song "Radio" by Downstait & Jim Johnston - Single ( July 4, 2016 - July 27, 2020)
Theme Song "Still Major" by def rebel - with Curt Hawkins - Team ( April 29, 2019 - April 15, 2020)
Theme Song "Stay Hype, Bro" by CFO$ - with Mojo Rawley - Team ( August 19, 2015 - November 28, 2017)
Theme Song "Radio" by Watt White and Jim Johnston - Single ( April 15, 2009 - July 4, 2016)
Theme Song "In the Middle of it Now" by Disciple - with Curt Hawkins - Team ( December 21, 2007 - April 15, 2009)
Theme Song "Gasoline Upcharge" by Chris Weerts & Daniel Holter - with Brian Major - Team ( May 1, 2007 - December 20, 2007)

Titles & Accomplishments

Titles Won

World Wrestling Entertainment

1 WWE Intercontinental Championship
1 WWE United States Championship
2 WWE/WWE Raw Tag Team championship (with Curt Hawkins)

Impact Wrestling

1 Impact Digital Media Championship

National Wrestling Alliance

1 NWA World Heavyweight Championship

Game Changer Wrestling

1 GCW World Championship

Absolute Intense Wrestling

2 AIW Absolute Championship
1 AIW Intense Championship

All Star Wrestling

1 ASW Heavyweight Championship

Chris Jericho's Rock 'N' Wrestling Rager at Sea

1 Jericho Cruise Oceanic Championship

Deep South Wrestling

2 DSW Tag team championship (with Brian Majors)

New York Wrestling Connection

1 NYWC Heavyweight Championship
2 NYWC Tag Team Championship (with Brian Myers)

Ohio Valley Wrestling

1 OVW Southern Tag Team Championship (with Brian Major)

Premier Wrestling Federation - New Jersey

1 PWF New Jersey Tag Team Championship (with Brian Myers)

The Wrestling Showcase

1 Wrestling Showcase Championship

World Series Wrestling

1 WSW World Heavyweight Championship

Other titles

2 Internet Championship

Other Accomplishments

1 WWE Internet Championship (unrecognized)
1 ECW World Television Championship (GCW - unrecognized)
Jericho Cruise Oceanic Title Tournament Winner (2023)
Wrestling Showcase Title Tournament Winner (2022)
WWE Slammy Award - Most Annoying Catchphrase (2010 - "Woo Woo Woo You Know It")
WWE Slammy Award - #Trending Superstar of the Year (2011)
WWE Slammy Award - Superstar Transformation of the Year (2011)
WWE Slammy Award - YouTube Show of the Year (2012 - "Z! True Long Island Story")
PWI Indie Wrestler of the Year (2022)
13° in PWI 500 (2022)
Fightful Select Male Independent Wrestler of the Year (2022)

Relations

Tag Teams & Stables

The Major Players - Curt Hawkins / Brian Myers ( February 25, 2022 - March 13, 2023)
Zack Ryder & Curt Hawkins - Curt Hawkins / Brian Myers ( January 21, 2019 - April 15, 2020)
The Hype Bros - Mojo Rawley ( August 10, 2015 - November 28, 2017)
Team Co-Bro - Santino Marella ( July 21, 2011 - October 8, 2012)
La Familia - Bam Neely, Chavo Guerrero, Curt Hawkins / Brian Myers, Edge, Vickie Guerrero ( December 16, 2007 - April 15, 2009)
Edgeheads / The Major Brothers - Curt Hawkins / Brian Myers ( December 11, 2004 - April 15, 2009)
Rat Pack - Baxter Cross, Matt Hype, Mike Mayhem, Armand Duermeto, Oscar ( June 12, 2004 - November 20, 2004)