Matt Cardona shared details on his Major Wrestling Figure podcast about his return to WWE this past Friday as part of The Last Time is Now tournament.
Cardona was a surprise opponent for LA Knight this past Friday at the MVP Arena in Albany, New York, and was his first match on the main roster since being released in 2020.
Despite appearing on NXT under his real name, he was billed as Zack Ryder on SmackDown and caused several logistical issues.
Cardona said he had gear made at the last minute to reflect the old character and was rushed in twenty-four hours by gear maker and former wrestler Rick Michaels.
Cardona called it “the most stressful week of his life” and noted taking a call from WWE during a live podcast recording one week ago and making up a story on the air to go take the call.
On the day of, he was placed in a private room in disguise and flew to New York City rather than straight to Albany.
Regarding the Zack Ryder merchandise that WWE has released, he added he did sign an agreement to allow them to sell merchandise temporarily, but that Friday’s appearance was a “one-time thing”.
Ryder’s return on SmackDown is the most-watched clip from the show on YouTube and is approaching one million views.
