Exclusive: WWE Star Matt Cardona Reveals Most Disgusting Moment of his Career

Matt Cardona has seen it all during his 20 plus years in professional wrestling. Whether it’s in a WWE ring or on the independent circuit.

The artist formerly known as Zack Ryder has held the Intercontinental, United States and Tag Team Titles in WWE. He also took the independent world by storm after being released in 2020.

In 2022 and 2023, Pro Wrestling Illustrated named Cardona their Indy Wrestler of the Year. His work with Game Changer Wrestling (GCW) offered fans another insight into his character work and chameleonic ability to adapt to new surroundings.

Even with WrestleMania title victories in front of packed stadiums to his name and being involved in high profile storylines with the likes of John Cena, Edge, The Undertaker and Kane, it was the urine soaked alleyway dressing rooms of the independent scene, death matches and all, that have defined much of what modern day Matt Cardona is.

Matt Cardona – Indy God

Now back under the WWE umbrella after re-signing with the company earlier this year, Cardona feels moulded by his half-decade on the indies and wanted to talk all about it during SPORF’s recent interview with him during WrestleMania 42 week in Las Vegas.

In fact, Cardona has been so emboldened by his experience working the independent circuit, that he wants it to become a new playable mode in WWE’s 2K video game franchise.

“Man, I think there should be a mode where you get fired,” Cardona explains in his typically animated style, “then you go and work your ass off on the indies for five years and come back.

“I’m serious. You go and you wrestle in all these dingy places. Then you go to Japan. Then you wrestle outside at some fair and then you make it back to WWE.”

Cardona himself will become a part of WWE 2K26 (our review of which can be found HERE) from June. The one time champion of the internet will be available as part of the Ringside Pass season three update. The update will also feature the likes of Torrie Wilson, Brian Pillman and La Parka.

Just got scanned for @WWEgames! I can’t wait to be in #WWE2K26! pic.twitter.com/N9Wu7ApODG

— Matt Cardona (@TheMattCardona) March 13, 2026

P*ss soaked push-ups in La La Land

Arenas and stadiums are once again the venues on Cardona’s calendar. But for half a decade recently he performed in some less than glamorous venues across the United States and beyond. But what was the dingiest experience the former Intercontinental and United States champion was put through while making towns as an independent wrestler?

“Oh my god,” Cardona laughs as he recalls five years worth of memories, “there was this arena, the Ukrainian Cultural Center in Los Angeles. Great atmosphere inside. The fans were rabid and die hard, but there was no locker room, so you’re just changing outside in an alley.

“There’s no bathroom either. So say if I go pee somewhere, then a few minutes later I’m doing push ups and getting piss on my hands.

“And the worst bit about that usually, is that I would get a red eye flight out of LA and there’s nowhere to shower. So I’d go, completely disgusting, to the next booking.”

Character building for the future

Some wrestlers may not thrive in such less than savoury conditions. Cardona, however, immersed himself in the independent world.

“I loved it. I dove headfirst into the independent world. It was the greatest time of my career, so far.

“I really miss bringing my merch bag to every show, though. I used to make all my own merchandise, whether it was action figures, 8x10s, foam fingers, hats, whatever, to sell it to the fans. Yes I’m making money, but to make experiences for the fans, to make connections with the audience. That was my favourite and most rewarding part.”

Now, Cardona’s merch is brought to shows for him. His wife, Chelsea Green, is a two-time United States champion herself. And a burgeoning crossover star having featured prominently on WWE Unreal, on Netflix.

The second act for Matt Cardona in WWE could prove to be his finest hour. It is a story that would be deserving of its own mode in the WWE 2K universe. It is a story that deserves a Hollywood ending. Just maybe not in the Ukrainian Cultural Center.

For more information on WWE 2K26, visit the game’s official website, become a fan on Facebook, follow the game on TikTok, X, Instagram, and subscribe on Twitch and YouTube. Official campaign hashtag #WWE2K26.