Matthew Cardona

Matthew Cardona

Acting
Born 1985-05-14Merrick, New York, USA

Biography

Matthew Brett Cardona (born May 14, 1985) is an American professional wrestler and actor. He is signed to WWE, where he performs under his real name. He previously performed in WWE from 2006 to 2020 under the ring name Zack Ryder, and is also known for his tenures in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) and the independent circuit. Cardona debuted in professional wrestling in 2004, teaming with Brian Myers on the independent circuit. Both men were signed by WWE the following year, making their main roster debuts in 2007. After the team split in 2009, he made appearances on WWE's ECW brand until 2010, following which he was featured sparingly on television. In 2011, he launched a YouTube web series in which he proclaimed himself WWE's "Internet Champion"; this, along with his creative use of social media, helped him establish a substantial cult following. Over the course of his time with WWE, Cardona held the Intercontinental, United States, and (Raw) Tag Team Championships (the latter with Hawkins on two occasions). After being released by WWE in April 2020, Cardona has made appearances in major wrestling promotions including All Elite Wrestling (AEW), Impact Wrestling, and the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), as well as throughout the American independent circuit, most notably in Game Changer Wrestling (GCW). He has since won various championships including the NWA World's Heavyweight Championship, Impact Digital Media Championship, and GCW World Championship. During this time he received critical praise, being named Indie Wrestler of the Year in 2022 and in 2023 by Pro Wrestling Illustrated. He returned to WWE in October 2025 and re-signed with the promotion in January 2026.

Movies (114)

WWE Crown Jewel 2019
5.0

WWE Crown Jewel 2019

2019Movie5.0
WWE Over The Limit 2012
6.8

WWE Over The Limit 2012

2012Movie6.8
GCW Welcome To Heartbreak

GCW Welcome To Heartbreak

2022Movie
WWE WrestleMania XXX
7.9

WWE WrestleMania XXX

2014Movie7.9
WWE WrestleMania 35
7.2

WWE WrestleMania 35

2019Movie7.2
WWE Wrestlemania XXVI
7.7

WWE Wrestlemania XXVI

2010Movie7.7
WWE WrestleMania XXV
7.8

WWE WrestleMania XXV

2009Movie7.8
WWE WrestleMania 31
8.0

WWE WrestleMania 31

2015Movie8.0
WWE Survivor Series 2011
7.4

WWE Survivor Series 2011

2011Movie7.4
Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling - Mayhem Night 2
5.0

Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling - Mayhem Night 2

2025Movie5.0
WWE Royal Rumble 2015
6.0

WWE Royal Rumble 2015

2015Movie6.0
WWE Royal Rumble 2011
7.0

WWE Royal Rumble 2011

2011Movie7.0
WWE WrestleMania XXVIII
7.9

WWE WrestleMania XXVIII

2012Movie7.9
IMPACT Wrestling: Hardcore Justice 2021
6.0

IMPACT Wrestling: Hardcore Justice 2021

2021Movie6.0
WWE Night of Champions 2008
7.6

WWE Night of Champions 2008

2008Movie7.6
WWE Survivor Series 2019
8.4

WWE Survivor Series 2019

2019Movie8.4
WWE TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs 2016
7.5

WWE TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs 2016

2016Movie7.5
WWE WrestleMania 32
7.1

WWE WrestleMania 32

2016Movie7.1
WWE Survivor Series 2016
6.7

WWE Survivor Series 2016

2016Movie6.7
WWE Money in the Bank 2017
6.1

WWE Money in the Bank 2017

2017Movie6.1
Jim Crockett Promotions: Ric Flair's Last Match
6.0

Jim Crockett Promotions: Ric Flair's Last Match

2022Movie6.0
WWE One Night Stand 2008
8.2

WWE One Night Stand 2008

2008Movie8.2
WWE WrestleMania XXIV
8.1

WWE WrestleMania XXIV

2008Movie8.1
Royal Rumble 2026
7.1

Royal Rumble 2026

2026Movie7.1
WWE No Mercy 2016
7.0

WWE No Mercy 2016

2016Movie7.0
WWE Royal Rumble 2012
7.1

WWE Royal Rumble 2012

2012Movie7.1
CM Punk: Best in the World
8.2

CM Punk: Best in the World

2012Movie8.2
Making Fun: The Story of Funko
6.5

Making Fun: The Story of Funko

2018Movie6.5
ROH Final Battle 2024
6.2

ROH Final Battle 2024

2024Movie6.2
WWE Night of Champions 2012
8.0

WWE Night of Champions 2012

2012Movie8.0
WWE Tribute to the Troops 2014
10.0

WWE Tribute to the Troops 2014

2014Movie10.0
IMPACT Wrestling: Turning Point 2021
5.0

IMPACT Wrestling: Turning Point 2021

2021Movie5.0
WWE Royal Rumble 2013
7.2

WWE Royal Rumble 2013

2013Movie7.2
Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling: Northern Rising
7.5

Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling: Northern Rising

2025Movie7.5
Down the Long River

Down the Long River

2026Movie
WWE The Great American Bash 2008
7.4

WWE The Great American Bash 2008

2008Movie7.4
TNA Emergence 2025
5.5

TNA Emergence 2025

2025Movie5.5
WWE Stomping Grounds
7.5

WWE Stomping Grounds

2019Movie7.5
WWE Vengeance 2011
6.8

WWE Vengeance 2011

2011Movie6.8
TNA Slammiversary 2025
5.2

TNA Slammiversary 2025

2025Movie5.2
GCW Evil Deeds

GCW Evil Deeds

2021Movie
WWE Extreme Rules 2012
7.6

WWE Extreme Rules 2012

2012Movie7.6
WWE TLC: Tables Ladders & Chairs 2011
7.1

WWE TLC: Tables Ladders & Chairs 2011

2011Movie7.1
WWE Royal Rumble 2010
7.7

WWE Royal Rumble 2010

2010Movie7.7
WWE Clash of Champions 2017
6.5

WWE Clash of Champions 2017

2017Movie6.5
WWE Royal Rumble 2008
7.5

WWE Royal Rumble 2008

2008Movie7.5
WWE: Undertaker 20-0 - The Streak
8.8

WWE: Undertaker 20-0 - The Streak

2012Movie8.8
WWE Super ShowDown 2019
6.0

WWE Super ShowDown 2019

2019Movie6.0
WWE Battleground 2016
5.5

WWE Battleground 2016

2016Movie5.5
WWE Judgment Day 2008
7.6

WWE Judgment Day 2008

2008Movie7.6
GCW: Highest in The Room 2

GCW: Highest in The Room 2

2023Movie
Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling: Resurrection
6.0

Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling: Resurrection

2025Movie6.0
TNA Victory Road 2024
5.5

TNA Victory Road 2024

2024Movie5.5
WWE The Great American Bash 2012: Super Smackdown Live!
10.0

WWE The Great American Bash 2012: Super Smackdown Live!

2012Movie10.0
WWE Fatal 4-Way 2010
7.6

WWE Fatal 4-Way 2010

2010Movie7.6
AEW All Out 2020
7.5

AEW All Out 2020

2020Movie7.5
WWE Battleground 2014
6.4

WWE Battleground 2014

2014Movie6.4
WWE Armageddon 2007
6.2

WWE Armageddon 2007

2007Movie6.2
WWE Payback 2013
7.1

WWE Payback 2013

2013Movie7.1
WWE Hell in a Cell 2017
7.0

WWE Hell in a Cell 2017

2017Movie7.0
WWE Elimination Chamber 2020
7.1

WWE Elimination Chamber 2020

2020Movie7.1
WWE 24: Wrestlemania Dallas
10.0

WWE 24: Wrestlemania Dallas

2016Movie10.0
TNA Rebellion 2025
7.0

TNA Rebellion 2025

2025Movie7.0
GCW Lifestyle

GCW Lifestyle

2023Movie
IMPACT Wrestling: Multiverse of Matches
3.5

IMPACT Wrestling: Multiverse of Matches

2022Movie3.5
The WRLD on GCW

The WRLD on GCW

2022Movie
WWE Backlash 2016
6.9

WWE Backlash 2016

2016Movie6.9
TNA Bound for Glory 2024
6.5

TNA Bound for Glory 2024

2024Movie6.5
WWE Elimination Chamber 2015
6.8

WWE Elimination Chamber 2015

2015Movie6.8
TNA Final Resolution 2025
7.0

TNA Final Resolution 2025

2025Movie7.0
TNA Bound for Glory 2025
6.7

TNA Bound for Glory 2025

2025Movie6.7
Death Match King

Death Match King

2026Movie
IMPACT Wrestling: No Surrender 2021
6.5

IMPACT Wrestling: No Surrender 2021

2021Movie6.5
World Series Wrestling: Phoenix Rising (Night 2)

World Series Wrestling: Phoenix Rising (Night 2)

2022Movie
NXT TakeOver: London
7.0

NXT TakeOver: London

2015Movie7.0
WWE: Best Pay-Per-View Matches of 2016

WWE: Best Pay-Per-View Matches of 2016

2017Movie
IMPACT Wrestling: Bound For Glory 2023
7.0

IMPACT Wrestling: Bound For Glory 2023

2023Movie7.0
IMPACT Wrestling: Bound For Glory 2021
7.1

IMPACT Wrestling: Bound For Glory 2021

2021Movie7.1
GCW Fight Club
7.6

GCW Fight Club

2021Movie7.6
TNA Emergence 2024
5.8

TNA Emergence 2024

2024Movie5.8
WrestleCade Supershow 2021
10.0

WrestleCade Supershow 2021

2021Movie10.0
IMPACT Wrestling: Slammiversary 2021
6.5

IMPACT Wrestling: Slammiversary 2021

2021Movie6.5
IMPACT Wrestling: Hard to Kill 2022
7.0

IMPACT Wrestling: Hard to Kill 2022

2022Movie7.0
GCW Dream On

GCW Dream On

2024Movie
IMPACT Wrestling: Throwback Throwdown II

IMPACT Wrestling: Throwback Throwdown II

2021Movie
IMPACT Wrestling: Under Siege 2021

IMPACT Wrestling: Under Siege 2021

2021Movie
IMPACT Wrestling: Over Drive 2022
5.3

IMPACT Wrestling: Over Drive 2022

2022Movie5.3
TNA Victory Road 2025

TNA Victory Road 2025

2025Movie
World Series Wrestling: Phoenix Rising (Night 1)

World Series Wrestling: Phoenix Rising (Night 1)

2022Movie
GCW Cage of Survival 2
6.5

GCW Cage of Survival 2

2023Movie6.5
GCW Downward Spiral

GCW Downward Spiral

2022Movie
IMPACT Wrestling: Rebellion 2021
7.0

IMPACT Wrestling: Rebellion 2021

2021Movie7.0
GCW Into The Light

GCW Into The Light

2023Movie
NWA Hard Times in New Orleans

NWA Hard Times in New Orleans

2022Movie
World Series Wrestling: Phoenix Rising (Night 3)

World Series Wrestling: Phoenix Rising (Night 3)

2022Movie
IMPACT Wrestling: Homecoming 2021

IMPACT Wrestling: Homecoming 2021

2021Movie
IMPACT Wrestling: Rebellion 2022
5.5

IMPACT Wrestling: Rebellion 2022

2022Movie5.5
IMPACT Wrestling: Victory Road 2021

IMPACT Wrestling: Victory Road 2021

2021Movie
GCW Homecoming Part I

GCW Homecoming Part I

2021Movie
IMPACT Wrestling: Hard to Kill 2023
5.0

IMPACT Wrestling: Hard to Kill 2023

2023Movie5.0
TNA Under Siege 2025
5.0

TNA Under Siege 2025

2025Movie5.0
WWE WrestleMania 35 Kickoff

WWE WrestleMania 35 Kickoff

2019Movie
Free The Narrative

Free The Narrative

2021Movie
IMPACT Wrestling: No Surrender 2022

IMPACT Wrestling: No Surrender 2022

2022Movie
GCW Joey Janela's Spring Break 8

GCW Joey Janela's Spring Break 8

2024Movie
GCW: The Coldest Winter 2

GCW: The Coldest Winter 2

2024Movie
GCW Blood on the Hills

GCW Blood on the Hills

2021Movie
NWA Crockett Cup 2022: Night 2

NWA Crockett Cup 2022: Night 2

2022Movie
IMPACT Wrestling: Emergence 2021

IMPACT Wrestling: Emergence 2021

2021Movie
DDT Ultimate Party 2023

DDT Ultimate Party 2023

2023Movie
The Herro's Journey: A Pro Wrestling Story

The Herro's Journey: A Pro Wrestling Story

Movie
GCW: Off The Rails

GCW: Off The Rails

2021Movie
GCW Fight Club 2024 - Night 2

GCW Fight Club 2024 - Night 2

2024Movie
GCW Homecoming Weekend 2021 - Night 1

GCW Homecoming Weekend 2021 - Night 1

2021Movie

TV Shows (18)

All Elite Wrestling: Dynamite
7.9

All Elite Wrestling: Dynamite

2019Series7.9
Raw
6.8

Raw

1993Series6.8
WWE NXT
6.7

WWE NXT

2010Series6.7
WWE Friday Night SmackDown
7.4

WWE Friday Night SmackDown

1999Series7.4
WWE Main Event
7.9

WWE Main Event

2012Series7.9
All Elite Wrestling: Rampage
7.0

All Elite Wrestling: Rampage

2021Series7.0
TNA iMPACT!
7.1

TNA iMPACT!

2004Series7.1
WWE ECW
6.5

WWE ECW

2006Series6.5
WWE: Unreal
7.9

WWE: Unreal

2025Series7.9
Hey! (EW)

Hey! (EW)

2022Series
Wrestlemania Rewind

Wrestlemania Rewind

2014Series
WWE Swerved
7.2

WWE Swerved

2015Series7.2
Before the Impact
3.5

Before the Impact

2021Series3.5
The JBL and Cole Show

The JBL and Cole Show

2012Series
The Edge and Christian Show That Totally Reeks of Awesomeness
5.3

The Edge and Christian Show That Totally Reeks of Awesomeness

2016Series5.3
Johnny Loves Taya

Johnny Loves Taya

2024Series
E! True Hollywood Story
8.1

E! True Hollywood Story

1996Series8.1
JCW Lunacy

JCW Lunacy

2024Series