Former WWE superstar Matt Cardona (fka Zack Ryder) appeared on today’s episode of Busted Open Radio to discuss his AEW appearance, and hype his in-ring debut for the company on tomorrow’s Dynamite on TNT. Highlights from the interview can be found below.
Says AEW made him feel welcome during his debut:
“For me, I was nervous. I was walking in there like the new kid in school. All these people, whether I saw them wrestle or I saw them on social media, I knew everybody but I didn’t really know them. It was weird introducing myself to these people who I know. Some people I watched wrestle for years. Everyone was very welcoming and very inviting. They made me feel like I was there the whole time.”
On his love for the pro-wrestling industry:
“There are times when it has sucked and there was no light at the end of the tunnel. That’s when you really have to love it. It is so easy to love it when you are on TV every week and in a great spot. Who wouldn’t love that. You have to love it when you are sitting in catering. You have to love it when you are not booked. You have to love it when things aren’t going your way. Then, when you get nights like last week, everything is so much better and sweeter that way. Maybe that’s just my delusional way of thinking about it. For me, that’s how I live my life. I don’t want to live in bitterness. What’s the point? Why complain online? You’re not going to be happier, I’ll tell you that.”
How the officiating in AEW doesn’t bother him:
“I haven’t really noticed it. I think in WWE, their officials have rules that the fans don’t even know about. So, what’s the point of having all these rules if the fans don’t even know what’s going on? I’m fine with the officiating going on in AEW. I think the referees need to have authority and I think they do there.”
Full episode of Busted Open Radio can be found here. (H/T and transcribed by Wrestling News)