Professional wrestling veteran Matt Cardona possesses extensive knowledge of the independent circuit. Following his departure from WWE in April 2020, Cardona, formerly known as Zack Ryder, underwent a significant transformation, embracing the moniker "Indy God." He dedicated years to refining this new persona across various independent promotions and prominent U.S. wrestling organizations beyond the major two.
Identifying Rising Independent Stars
When asked about the "Indy God" title, Cardona reflected on others who have truly excelled. "I don’t know if anyone’s the ‘Indy God,’" he stated, "But there are people who definitely have stepped up." He immediately pointed to Shotzi, a former WWE talent. Cardona noted that after her departure from the company, she seemingly adopted a similar strategy to his own. "I think she copied the Matt Cardona formula and good on her and we had some incredible matches together," he remarked. He highlighted her dedication, emphasizing that "effort is very, very important not just in independent wrestling but professional wrestling in general." Cardona elaborated on his philosophy:
If you aren’t doing whatever you can to succeed, like, if you don’t treat yourself like a big deal, I don’t think anyone else will. I would definitely put Shotzi on that list.
Cardona also identified Richard Holliday as another independent talent worth watching. He praised Holliday's relentless use of social media, comparing it to his own approach during his time away from major promotions. "He’s always trying to force himself down your throat just like I did when I was gone," Cardona commented. He underscored the necessity of constant self-promotion for those not signed to major companies.
When you’re not in WWE, you can’t take a day off of being on your phone. Like, Chelsea (Green), would always yell at me for always being on my phone, ‘You’re posting too much on social media.’ I said, babe, if you don’t want to be on your phone, WWE will post about you, WWE Shop will post about you, USA Network will post about you, ESPN, Netflix. If I don’t post about myself, no one is going to post about me. So, Richard Holliday, he’s taking that to heart.
Rounding out his list, Cardona mentioned Ben Bishop. "So, I would say, Shotzi, Ben Bishop and Richard Holliday, the three to look out for," he concluded.
Currently, Shotzi holds the Major League Wrestling women’s world championship and has competed in various promotions globally. Both Holliday and Bishop have successfully cultivated substantial social media followings, significantly boosting their visibility within the professional wrestling community.
Cardona's Advice for Aspiring Wrestlers
Cardona also offered guidance to individuals aiming to emulate his career trajectory. He noted that aspiring wrestlers on the independent circuit frequently seek his counsel. "The answer was simple – don’t quit," he revealed. He acknowledged the varied experiences within the industry:
Everyone has a different path. Everybody has a different journey but if you don’t quit … here’s what I would say, if you don’t quit, you might make it. If you quit, you definitely won’t. It’s as simple as that.
