Matt Cardona Claims Responsibility For AEW’s Existence

Matt Cardona was known as Zack Ryder during his time in WWE, as he worked hard to make name for himself there. He did get over on his own thanks to his Long Island Iced Z YouTube show and charisma. He also decided to make a bold claim recently about how AEW came into existence.

Following his WWE release, Cardona went to work in various companies, including AEW. He had a brief stint in Tony Khan’s company, consisting of six matches, where he mostly teamed up with Cody Rhodes.

While speaking on the Sam Roberts on Not Sam Wrestling podcast, Matt Cardona claimed that he is responsible for AEW’s existence. He further explained his point by mentioning how his Long Island Iced Z YouTube show laid the groundwork for Being The Elite, the eventual catalyst for AEW.

“It changed the business. Tell me that Z! True Long Island Story didn’t change the business. Tell me to my face that it didn’t change the business. All these kids vlogging. The BTE show that started AEW. Really, I’m responsible for AEW.

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“I’ll say it right now, without Z! True Long Island Story there would be no BTE and there would be no E…ah, let’s do that again. This is live pal. We’re live pal. Without Z! True Long Island Story there would be no BTE and there would be no AEW. Quote me on that.”

Matt Cardona even recently stated that Zack Ryder is dead. Regardless, we will have to wait and see what the future holds for the indie sensation.

Do you agree with Matt Cardona? Sound off in the moments!