Matt Cardona (formerly Zack Ryder in WWE) is set to make his AEW in-ring debut on Dynamite, teaming with Cody to take on The Dark Order.
Cardona made a surprise appearance on last Wednesday's AEW, helping Cody during an attack by Dark Order.
Speaking on Busted Open Radio, Cardona was asked why AEW was the place to be for him.
"Well, my 90 days was up [laughs]. AEW is the place to be, there's no denying that. At the end of the day, I'm still a fan, so I was watching AEW on TV at home. Now that I can go somewhere, it was my number one spot. I was so hungry to wrestle and perform. I love this business so much and the past three months went by so fast. Once that 90 days was over, I had to get started," he said. "There's no surprise, I'm very good friends with Cody. In this business, there are very few people I consider friends, Cody is one of them. Does it help that he has a little stroke in AEW? Absolutely. I'm coming into AEW and I have to prove myself for myself. 'I'm Cody's friend, I'm the WWE guy that got released,' I know all of that. I know at the end of the day I belong there and AEW is going to give me an opportunity. I've proven that I've made a whole career out of making the most out of opportunities."
When asked about getting back in the ring, Cardona said, "It's my first match in five months but it's my first match in over a year that I've cared about and has meant something to me."
Cardona last wrestled on the March 9 episode of WWE Raw, losing to Bobby Lashley. Cardona recently revealed he's signed a short-term deal with AEW, but hopes to stick around long. You can find his comments on his contract by clicking here.
Fightful will have live coverage of AEW Dynamite beginning at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday.
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