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 40 years old.
He is currently working for World Wrestling Entertainment on the SmackDown brand under the ring name of Matt Cardona.
Matt Cardona is a 1-time World Champion, and has won a total of 7 championships in major promotions during his career.
Zack Ryder / Matt Cardona Profile Index
Profile Info
- GenderMale
- Real NameMatthew Brett Cardona
- Ring Names
- Matt Cardona (April 16, 2020 - Present)
- Zack Ryder (November 14, 2025 - November 14, 2025)
- Zack Ryder (December 21, 2007 - April 15, 2020)
- Brett Major (March 18, 2007 - December 20, 2007)
- Brett Majors (April 6, 2006 - October 27, 2007)
- Brett Matthews (August 14, 2004 - April 22, 2006)
- Born May 14, 1985 (age 40)
- Nationality
United States - Birth PlaceMerrick, New York
- Billed From
- Long Island, New York
- Height 6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
- Weight
- 230 lbs (104 kg) (July 29, 2020 - Present)
- 214 lbs (97 kg) (May 5, 2009 - April 15, 2020)
- NicknamesThe Complete; The Indy God; The Deathmatch King; 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)
- General Manager (May 3, 2024 - July 31, 2024)
- Assistant GM (July 25, 2011 - December 18, 2011)
-
Promotions History
Promotion from to Promotion 
WWEBrand
SmackDown
January 2, 2026 Present Promotion 
TNAMarch 28, 2024 January 1, 2026 Promotion 
NWAOctober 17, 2025 December 30, 2025 Promotion 
INDYApril 8, 2021 December 9, 2025 Promotion 
GCWJuly 24, 2021 November 22, 2025 Promotion 
ROHDecember 5, 2024 December 20, 2024 Promotion 
AEWDecember 6, 2024 December 13, 2024 Promotion AEWMarch 30, 2024 March 30, 2024 Promotion NWADecember 4, 2021 February 6, 2024 Promotion 
DDTMay 21, 2023 December 11, 2023 Promotion 
MLWJuly 8, 2023 December 7, 2023 Promotion 
IMPACTJanuary 16, 2021 February 9, 2023 Promotion 
AEWJuly 29, 2020 September 5, 2020 Promotion WWEBrand
Raw
October 16, 2019 April 15, 2020 Promotion WWEOctober 14, 2019 October 15, 2019 Promotion WWEBrand
Raw
April 16, 2018 October 13, 2019 Promotion WWEBrand
SmackDown
July 19, 2016 April 15, 2018 Promotion 
WWEAugust 29, 2011 July 18, 2016 Promotion WWEBrand
NXT
June 10, 2015 July 6, 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 
OVWMay 9, 2007 November 7, 2007 Promotion WWEBrand
ECW
May 1, 2007 June 16, 2007 Promotion 
DSWApril 6, 2006 April 22, 2007 Promotion INDYAugust 14, 2004 April 22, 2006 -
Images History
Mar 2024
Feb 2022
Jul 2020
Apr 2019
Nov 2017
Apr 2016
Mar 2015
Apr 2014
Jan 2013
Jun 2010
May 2009
Dec 2007
Apr 2006
Aug 2004 -
Face / Heel Turns
Alignment Details from to Face Returned to WWE as a face January 2, 2026 Present Tweener Started acting less heelish December 5, 2024 January 1, 2026 Heel Defeated Jordynne Grace hitting her with a chair February 3, 2022 December 4, 2024 Face Debuted on WWE ECW as a face May 5, 2009 February 2, 2022 Heel Was revealed as an Edgehead with Curt Hawkins December 21, 2007 May 4, 2009 Face August 14, 2004 December 20, 2007 -
Card Positions
Status Details from to SD Mid Card January 2, 2026 Present TNA Inactive Impending WWE debut December 12, 2025 January 1, 2026 TNA Mid Card February 6, 2025 December 11, 2025 TNA Upper Card January 23, 2025 February 5, 2025 TNA Inactive Wrestles mostly on the indies October 27, 2024 January 22, 2025 TNA Mid Card August 1, 2024 October 26, 2024 TNA Injured Torn pectoral muscle April 13, 2024 July 31, 2024 TNA Mid Card March 28, 2024 April 12, 2024 TNA Mid Card October 7, 2022 February 9, 2023 TNA Inactive Wrestles mostly on the indies April 24, 2022 October 6, 2022 TNA Mid Card February 3, 2022 April 23, 2022 TNA Upper Card December 2, 2021 February 2, 2022 TNA Mid Card January 16, 2021 December 1, 2021 AEW Mid Card July 29, 2020 September 5, 2020 RAW Inactive Contract expiring March 10, 2020 April 15, 2020 RAW Low Card August 8, 2019 March 9, 2020 RAW Mid Card April 7, 2019 August 7, 2019 RAW Low Card January 31, 2018 April 6, 2019 SD Mid Card June 13, 2017 January 30, 2018 SD Injured Patellar tendon rupture December 14, 2016 June 12, 2017 SD Mid Card April 3, 2016 December 13, 2016 WWE Low Card January 25, 2015 April 2, 2016 WWE Injured Torn rotator cuff November 4, 2014 January 24, 2015 WWE Low Card October 15, 2012 November 3, 2014 WWE Mid Card September 16, 2012 October 14, 2012 WWE Low Card March 5, 2012 September 15, 2012 WWE Inactive Kayfabe rib injury January 24, 2012 March 4, 2012 WWE Mid Card July 29, 2011 January 23, 2012 RAW Low Card August 24, 2010 July 28, 2011 RAW Mid Card June 7, 2010 August 23, 2010 RAW Low Card February 17, 2010 June 6, 2010 ECW Upper Card September 15, 2009 February 16, 2010 ECW Mid Card May 5, 2009 September 14, 2009 ECW Inactive Gimmick repackaging February 7, 2009 May 4, 2009 SD Low Card December 12, 2008 February 6, 2009 SD Mid Card December 16, 2007 December 11, 2008 SD Low Card May 1, 2007 December 15, 2007
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Finishers
- Rough Ryder / Radio Silence - Jumping Leg Lariat (February 17, 2010 - Present)
- Elbro Drop - Diving Elbow Drop (July 19, 2016 - Present)
- 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 - January 1, 2026)
- 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
-
World Wrestling Entertainment
-
x1 WWE Intercontinental Championship -
x1 WWE United States Championship -
x2 WWE/WWE Raw Tag Team Championship (with Curt Hawkins / Brian Myers)
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
National Wrestling Alliance
Ohio Valley Wrestling
-
x1 OVW Southern Tag Team Championship (with Curt Hawkins / Brian Myers)
-
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
DDT Pro Wrestling
- 1 DDT Universal Championship
Deep South Wrestling
- 2 DSW Tag team championship (with Brian Majors)
House Of Glory
- 1 HOG Heavyweight Championship
New York Wrestling Connection
- 1 NYWC Heavyweight Championship
- 2 NYWC Tag Team Championship (with Brian Myers)
Premier Wrestling Federation - New Jersey
- 1 PWF New Jersey Tag Team Championship (with Brian Myers)
Squared Circle Expo
- 1 SCX Championship
The Wrestling Showcase
- 1 Wrestling Showcase Championship
World Series Wrestling
- 2 WSW World Heavyweight Championship
Xcite Wrestling
- 1 Xcite International Championship
Misc. Titles
- 2 Internet Championship
-
Other Accomplishments
- 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, 2023)
- 13° in PWI 500 (2022)
- Fightful Select Male Independent Wrestler of the Year (2022)
x1 Impact Digital Media Championship
x1 NWA Worlds Heavyweight ChampionshipTeams & Relations
-
Tag Teams & Stables
- Deathmatch Royalty - Steph De Lander, Mance Warner, Broski Jimmy (April 21, 2023 - January 23, 2025)
- World Titan Federation - Alex Hammerstone, Steph De Lander, Tom Lawlor, Zayda Steel, Josh Bishop, Richard Holliday, Brett Ryan Gosselin (October 14, 2023 - December 7, 2023)
- The Cardonas - Chelsea Green, Mike Knox, VSK (March 19, 2022 - October 31, 2023)
- 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 (June 10, 2015 - November 28, 2017)
- Team Co-Bro - Santino Marella (July 21, 2011 - December 19, 2012)
- La Familia - Bam Neely, Chavo Guerrero, Curt Hawkins / Brian Myers, Edge / Adam Copeland, Vickie Guerrero (December 16, 2007 - April 15, 2009)
- The Edgeheads - Curt Hawkins / Brian Myers (December 16, 2007 - April 15, 2009)
- The Major Brothers - Curt Hawkins / Brian Myers (April 6, 2006 - December 21, 2007)
- The Long Island Blonds - Curt Hawkins / Brian Myers (September 17, 2005 - April 22, 2006)
- Myers & Matthews - Curt Hawkins / Brian Myers (August 14, 2004 - September 16, 2005)
- Rat Pack - Baxter Cross, Matt Hype, Mike Mayhem, Armand Duermeto, Oscar (June 12, 2004 - November 20, 2004)
-
Managers
- Steph De Lander (April 13, 2023 - September 7, 2024)
- Chelsea Green (July 17, 2021 - August 19, 2021)
- Eve Torres (March 5, 2012 - April 1, 2012)
- Eve Torres (January 16, 2012 - February 20, 2012)
- Alicia Fox (May 10, 2010 - May 31, 2010)
- Rosa Mendes (November 3, 2009 - April 26, 2010)
-
Managed Wrestlers
- Titus O'Neil (June 8, 2010 - June 29, 2010)
-
Family
- Chelsea Green - Wife (December 31, 2021 - Present)
