What’s Next for a Former Intercontinental and United States Champion?
On the January 2nd episode of Friday Night SmackDown, the WWE Universe saw the return of Zack Ryder, aka Matt Cardona, as Kit Wilson’s mystery opponent. Commentator Michael Cole announced that Cardona has signed with WWE full-time, where he’ll be a part of the blue brand alongside his wife, two-time Women’s United States Champion Chelsea Green. The former Intercontinental and United States Champion gained his first victory in WWE in six and a half years against a re-branded Wilson. The question now that everyone wants to know is what’s next for ‘The Long Island Iced-Z’?
Member of the Secret Hervice
Commentators such as Wade Barrett, Corey Graves, and even Booker T always give a salute to Green when she has a match. Those commentators always say they’re a part of the Secret Hervice in one way or another. It would make the most logical sense and would be easy for WWE to pair Cardona and his wife together and add ‘The Long Island Iced-Z’ to The Green Regime. Both husband and wife are former United States Champions; seeing them go after the titles, potentially winning the belts around the same time, and possibly holding those championships at the same time would be a sight to see. This pairing would always allow WWE to provide more Mixed Tag Team matches, as we could see another husband and wife in Aleister Black & Zelina Vega in the fray, as well as the husband and wife to be of Trick Williams & Lash Legend, and more. While this pairing could be seen as a “cop out” for WWE, it’s an easy pairing, and it can certainly be entertaining.
WWE Championship Pursuits
During the January 2nd episode of SmackDown, both Randy Orton and Sami Zayn individually told WWE Champion Cody Rhodes that they will be going after the championship once Rhodes’ feud with Drew McIntyre ends. Perhaps WWE could add a fourth superstar to the list of competitors eyeing the WWE Championship in Cardona. First, back in 2020 in AEW, Cardona saved Rhodes from an attack by The Dark Order. Now, with both talents in WWE, and with Rhodes holding the biggest prize, the former Intercontinental and United States Champion may be chasing his first World Championship. Secondly, Cardona has run the Indie scene for the past several years and has become a bigger name as Matt Cardona than he may ever have been as Zack Ryder. Cardona has earned respect from wrestling fans all over, and what he’s done on the independent circuit has given him even more credibility than he ever had as Ryder. It may be time WWE recognizes that, and gives Cardona his well-deserved flowers as World Champion.
Tag Team or Solo Run?
We’ve seen Cardona on the big stage not even 24 hours ago; it could be hard to determine a potential tag team partner other than Green at the moment. If he’s not paired with his wife or going after the WWE Championship, the best place to put ‘The Long Island Iced-Z’ is in the United States Championship Division. At TLC 2011, he won the title against Dolph Ziggler, and it’s very possible he wins it during this current run. Cardona could certainly step in and knock the stride down of someone like Carmelo Hayes, who just won the title two weeks ago.
WWE cannot fumble Cardona and this potential run he could go on. Bottom line, if they fumble ‘The Long Island Iced-Z’, WWE could lose out on someone like Chelsea Green, who’s been an avid supporter of the company for years. This does not mean to give both husband and wife championship after championship, yet give them storylines that will hook the WWE Universe and make them either want to root for or root against the former United States Champions. It’s a treat to have Cardona back on the big stage once again, now it’s time WWE gives him a well-needed and proper run.
