Steve Carrier on January 5, 2026
Matt Cardona’s surprise return to WWE has already stirred up major waves across the wrestling scene — and it didn’t take long for fans to start firing shots. But not everyone is staying silent about it.
After Cardona officially relinquished the ACW World Championship ahead of the promotion’s January 5, 2026 show, fans quickly took to social media to criticize the self-proclaimed “Indy God” for walking away from his indie commitments. One fan’s viral comment summed up the backlash with a sarcastic jab:
“Indie god not finishing his dates and vacating the 4 belts he holds to fulfill his dream of losing to Tama Tonga every Friday.”
That line caught fire, but it also caught the attention of TNA Wrestling star Steph De Lander, who wasn’t about to let the slander slide. De Lander, who previously shared an alliance with Cardona on the indie scene, stepped in with a direct and honest defense:
“Do y’all understand that most of the time it isn’t up to the wrestlers? lol”
Her response reflects a reality that often gets lost in the discourse — wrestlers under contract to WWE usually can’t work outside dates once they’re officially signed. Cardona’s return to WWE forced him to vacate not just the ACW World Title, but also put his JCW status into question after winning their top belt just days earlier.
Cardona’s indie farewell has clearly come with complications, but for Steph De Lander, the blame game is unnecessary. Sometimes, a wrestler’s dream doesn’t fit neatly into every fan’s fantasy booking — and that’s just part of the business.
Do you agree with Steph De Lander’s defense of Cardona? Or do fans have a point about unfinished business? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
January 5, 2026 9:37 am
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