During the January 2, 2026, SmackDown, Matt Cardona defeated Kit Wilson in a surprise match, confirming that Matt Cardona was back full-time with WWE as part of the blue brand. And now, his long-time tag partner Brian Myers has posted a heartfelt tribute to Cardona’s independent wrestling run from 2020-2025 on X, noting the current Juggalo Champion Wrestling Champion “set an example that should be followed forever.”
“Matt’s run from 2020-2025 is the stuff of legend. It’s gonna be talked about & referenced for years. He unlocked the unlimited potential that someone could have outside the WWE bubble. He set an example that should be followed forever. Control what you can control, believe in yourself, & NEVER take no for answer. See you down the road @TheMattCardona!” – Brian Myers
Myers and Cardona debuted together on the independent circuit in 2004, signed with WWE in 2006, and eventually adopted the ring names Curt Hawkins and Zack Ryder. Yet despite memorable runs as Edgeheads in La Familia and tag-team championship reigns in 2008 and 2019, both were released in 2020. Still, they reunited on the indies and in TNA and remain close friends and business partners, having launched their own toy company and co-hosting the popular Major Wrestling Figure Podcast.
