John Cena has publicly responded to Matt Cardona’s unexpected return to WWE, sharing his thoughts on Cardona’s comeback and expressing pride in his former colleague. The reaction came after Cardona’s victorious appearance on the January 2 episode of SmackDown, marking his official return under his real name and igniting excitement among wrestling fans.
Matt Cardona Makes Impactful WWE Return
During the first SmackDown episode of 2026, Matt Cardona was introduced as Kit Wilson’s surprise opponent. The audience quickly learned that Cardona, formerly known to fans as Zack Ryder, had secured a contract with the Stamford-based organization and would now compete under his original moniker. The match itself lasted a little over four minutes, with Cardona picking up a decisive win by executing his signature Rough Ryder maneuver for the pin.
This return comes after a significant absence from WWE, as Cardona had previously spent 14 years with the promotion from 2006 to 2020. Notably, he enjoyed a partnership and storyline rivalry with John Cena during that period. At one stage, Cardona teamed up with Cena and even earned a chance to vie for the Championship against him, though he was unsuccessful in capturing the title.
Ups and Downs of Cardona’s WWE Career
The period between 2011 and 2012 marked key turning points for Cardona. His greatest career high arrived in 2011, but the subsequent year brought considerable challenges, including an on-screen romantic storyline with Eve Torres, which ended with her character cheating on Cardona with John Cena. This angle caused a sharp decline not only in Cardona’s storyline prominence but also in his standing within the company. As a result, media coverage labeled him as one of the most significant downturns of 2012. He was unable to regain that momentum before his release in 2020.
John Cena’s Message for Cardona and Chelsea Green
Now primarily communicating with fans through his online platform, John Cena has taken to X to publicly recognize Cardona’s return and the efforts behind it. Cena, a 17-time World Champion, did not simply welcome Cardona back to WWE—he also highlighted Cardona’s perseverance and preparation, acknowledging the hard work that led to his homecoming. In his message, Cena also gave special praise to Cardona’s wife, Chelsea Green, citing her role and achievements as significant.
As Cena wrote:
“Persistence and preparation tend to help manufacture luck. I couldn’t be more proud of both @TheMattCardona and @ImChelseaGreen They stand as a tremendous example of making luck through effort. Welcome home Matt.☕️🍸 https://t.co/UYwRdgyIKz” — John Cena (@JohnCena) January 3, 2026
Significance of Cardona’s Comeback
Cardona’s return to WWE is seen as a fresh chapter in a career marked by both resilience and reinvention. His ability to overcome previous setbacks and regain a place in a major wrestling promotion demonstrates persistence, a trait echoed by John Cena’s public remarks. With Chelsea Green actively competing in WWE as well, the couple stands as an example of how dedication can reinvigorate careers—even after departures or difficult storylines.
As Cardona settles back into WWE, fans and analysts alike will be watching his trajectory closely, considering his past rivalries and the renewed attention from major figures like John Cena. The focus keyword,
“John Cena on Cardona WWE return,”
encapsulates the renewed connections and interest between two notable wrestlers, setting the stage for potential future storylines and continued fan engagement in the coming months.
Persistence and preparation tend to help manufacture luck. I couldn’t be more proud of both @TheMattCardona and @ImChelseaGreen They stand as a tremendous example of making luck through effort. Welcome home Matt.☕️🍸 https://t.co/UYwRdgyIKz
— John Cena (@JohnCena) January 3, 2026
