Matt Cardona, the man who reinvented himself from WWE’s Zack Ryder into the king of the indie circuit, may soon have a new home under the bright lights of AEW. According to Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio, talks are reportedly underway for Cardona to sign a more permanent deal with AEW—or at least that’s the vibe coming out of his recent appearances in Tony Khan-owned promotions.
The buzz comes just ahead of Cardona’s high-profile match against Chris Jericho for the ROH World Championship at Final Battle on December 20. If Cardona somehow pulls off the upset of the year and pins Le Champion in the Hammerstein Ballroom, you might as well take that as confirmation that he’s already put pen to paper.
Meltzer’s Scoop:
“There was at least talk of Cardona getting an AEW contract,” Meltzer reported. “I don’t know if it’s gonna happen or not, or if he’s already agreed. And I guess we’ll find out, obviously, if he beats Jericho—which I don’t expect to happen, but if he does, obviously, they won’t do it unless he’s under contract.”
In simpler terms: If Cardona wins, he’s locked in. If he doesn’t, well, maybe he’ll keep being “Always Ready” for a call from Khan.
Jericho vs. Cardona: Indie Meets Elite
The build-up to Final Battle has been a whirlwind. Jericho, in true wizardly fashion, appeared at a GCW event to escalate tensions, interfering in Cardona’s match against Effy. (GCW and AEW had been rumored to have some backstage beef over past comments, but Jericho’s cameo suggests those reports may have been exaggerated—or just settled in classic wrestling style.)
Why AEW Might Be Interested:
- Indie Credentials: Since leaving WWE, Cardona has been everywhere—GCW, Impact, NWA, and even ROH. He’s a self-made star who’s built a reputation for reinventing himself with over-the-top charisma and a knack for trolling opponents online.
- Big Match Feel: Cardona’s clashes with Jericho and Adam Copeland show he can hang with top-tier AEW stars. Plus, his time in ROH suggests Khan sees potential in him to draw fans to both AEW and its sister promotions.
- Larger Venues, Bigger Crowds: Cardona has openly expressed a desire to work in grander arenas, which aligns perfectly with AEW’s upward trajectory and ever-expanding reach.
Whether or not the deal materializes, one thing is certain: Matt Cardona is always ready to grab the spotlight, and fans will be watching closely to see if he finally becomes All Elite.