Matt Cardona isn’t buying the idea that independent wrestling should just sit back and die without a fight. While there’s been plenty of talk about the indie scene struggling, the former WWE Superstar has a message for wrestlers who aren’t doing everything they can to help their own careers.
Cardona took to Twitter on November 5, 2026, to weigh in on the state of independent wrestling, questioning why more performers aren’t taking advantage of opportunities to make money and promote their appearances.
The comments come amid growing concerns about the independent wrestling business after Dave Meltzer recently discussed rising travel expenses, promotions suspending operations, and the difficulties of booking established names from WWE and AEW.
Cardona wasn’t directly responding to Meltzer or his claims, but he made it clear that he isn’t convinced independent wrestling is dead. He admitted that he hasn’t personally worked the scene in a year, although people he trusts have told him things aren’t as bad as some are making them out to be.
“I haven’t been on the indies for a year, so I don’t know if the indies are really dead or not.
The wrestlers I trust say they are not.”
But Cardona wasn’t finished. Instead of arguing about whether independent wrestling is dying, he wanted to know why more wrestlers aren’t finding ways to make additional money. He specifically brought up live social shopping, questioning why independent talent isn’t using it to sell merchandise and connect with the people supporting them.
“Whether they are dead or not, why isn’t every independent wrestler taking advantage of live social shopping to increase their income and connection with fans?”
Then Cardona got to something that really seemed to bother him: wrestlers failing to promote their own shows. He pointed out that social media gives performers free advertising, yet some aren’t even taking the time to post flyers, share match graphics or record simple promotional videos. As far as Cardona is concerned, if wrestlers aren’t treating their bookings like they matter, they shouldn’t expect anyone else to care.
“Why isn’t every independent wrestler taking advantage of the FREE advertising that is social media to help promote every show they are on? Post the poster, post the match graphic, do the cell phone promo, etc. If you don’t treat the show like it’s a big deal, then why would a fan?”
Cardona made it clear that he could say plenty more about the subject. However, he ended his post by reminding everyone that he still loves independent wrestling and doesn’t want to see it disappear.
“I could go on and on about this.
I love independent wrestling. Don’t just not let it die…help it thrive!”
Cardona certainly has experience when it comes to making the independent scene work for him. After his WWE release in 2020, he turned himself into one of independent wrestling’s biggest attractions through merchandise, social media and appearances across multiple promotions.
His comments also come at an interesting time. Meltzer recently discussed how independent promotions have struggled with expensive travel costs and the loss of major attractions to WWE and AEW. He also pointed to Tony Khan’s approval requirements for AEW wrestlers working outside dates, including certain match results.
Cardona didn’t mention Khan or AEW’s booking restrictions in his post. His attention was firmly on what independent wrestlers can control, especially when it comes to selling themselves and getting people interested in their matches.
And that’s where Cardona’s message really lands. Promoters might be dealing with higher expenses and fewer available stars, but posting a match graphic or cutting a quick promo doesn’t cost a wrestler anything. Cardona isn’t pretending to know exactly how healthy the independent scene is right now, but he clearly believes wrestlers should be doing more than showing up, collecting their money and heading home.
Do you agree with Matt Cardona that independent wrestlers need to do a better job promoting themselves, or are the problems facing the indie scene much bigger than social media and merchandise sales? Let us know what you think in the comments below.
