WWE experienced several notable moments on the January 2nd episode of SmackDown, highlighted by the return of Matt Cardona to the company. However, his comeback also meant resolving some outstanding issues.
Matt Cardona announced that he would not be able to participate in ACW events that night, which led to him vacating the ACW World Championship. The promotion later confirmed that a new champion would be decided during that night’s show.
This announcement ended Cardona’s title reign without him defending it one last time. Since he couldn’t compete for ACW while signed with WWE, ACW had to quickly revise their plans and set up a championship match for the evening.
Cardona has shed his old Zack Ryder persona and returned to WWE using his real name—an opportunity he worked hard to secure. WWE fans last saw him in the Last Time Is Now tournament, where he was knocked out after only one match. Though released from WWE over five years ago, Cardona built a reputation outside the company under his real identity. Now back in WWE, he seems ready to move beyond the independent circuit.
What are your thoughts on Matt Cardona’s WWE return? Will he thrive this time around, or face turmoil once again? Share your opinions in the comments below.
Fan Take: Matt Cardona’s return is significant because it reinforces WWE’s willingness to bring back talented wrestlers with fresh identities. This move could inject new energy into storylines and offer fans exciting matchups, potentially elevating the sport’s entertainment value.
