Matt Cardona makes Impact Wrestling debut at Hard to Kill
The former Zack Ryder made his Impact Wrestling debut at tonight’s Hard to Kill pay-per-view.
In a match that wasn’t announced in advance, Matt Cardona faced Ace Austin at Hard to Kill. Cardona won by disqualification when Madman Fulton interfered to save Austin. Cardona fought off Fulton and stood tall after hitting Radio Silence.
Cardona tweeted after making his Impact debut: “I needed tonight. Thanks @ScottDAmore for the opportunity. Thanks @IMPACTWRESTLING. Thanks to all my fans! I’m #AlwayzReady…I’m #HardToKill…and I’m NOT DONE with @The_Ace_Austin & @FultonWorld!”
Austin, who won Impact’s Super X-Cup at Genesis earlier this month, came to the ring at tonight’s PPV and cut a promo demanding to be added to the Manik vs. Rohit Raju vs. Chris Bey X-Division Championship match. Scott D’Amore said he was going to give Austin another match instead, then introduced Cardona as his opponent.
Cardona was released by WWE during the company’s roster cuts last April. He had a short-term stint in AEW following his release from WWE, including teaming with Dustin Rhodes, QT Marshall & Scorpio Sky in an eight-man tag match against The Dark Order at All Out in September.
Cardona hosts the Major Wrestling Figure podcast with his friend and former tag team partner Brian Myers (formerly known as Curt Hawkins in WWE). Myers recently signed a contract with Impact Wrestling. After being released by WWE in April, Myers made his return to Impact in July. Myers defeated Josh Alexander on tonight’s Hard to Kill pre-show.
Joseph Currier is the lead editor of F4WOnline.com, directing daily news coverage and writing articles on professional wrestling. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, obtaining a journalism degree in 2016. Joseph joined F4W during his time at UMass and has now been writing about the industry for nearly a decade.
In addition to his work with F4W, Joseph has previously contributed to Sports Illustrated's wrestling coverage. He lives in Massachusetts and is a diehard fan of the Boston sports teams and Liverpool Football Club.