Matt Cardona Shuts Down AEW Contract Rumors

Matt Cardona is setting the record straight about his AEW and ROH run, and he’s not holding back.

Despite previous reports from Dave Meltzer claiming Cardona was offered a contract by AEW, the former WWE Intercontinental Champion says that never happened.

During a recent interview with Chris Van Vliet, Cardona addressed the rumors head-on, saying, “Again, I don’t know. Dave Meltzer reported that I got offered a contract, but I did not, so I don’t know what happened.”

Back in December 2024, Meltzer stated on Wrestling Observer Radio that AEW had made Cardona an official contract offer, adding, “I know he [Matt Cardona] was offered a [AEW] contract. I don’t know if he’s signed or anything.” But Cardona now confirms that the supposed deal was nothing more than speculation.

Cardona’s AEW and ROH stint included a match against Chris Jericho at ROH’s Final Battle pay-per-view, where he failed to capture the ROH World Championship. Since then, Cardona hasn’t appeared for either company and now reveals that the contract talk was just that — talk.

Now that Cardona has shut down the rumors, it leaves fans wondering what’s next for the self-proclaimed Indy God and whether he’ll resurface in AEW, ROH, or somewhere else.