Talking to the Barstool Rasslin’ podcast, Impact and GCW wrestler Matt Cardona reflected on his WWE run and explained how he considers that time some sort of developmental, in which he became the wrestler he is today and learned all the tricks. He said,
“WWE was my developmental. I don’t mean that as a shot to Web. I’ve loved my time in WWE. I lived my dream. You know, I made a lot of money there. The Intercontinental, Tag Team Title, US Title. I had WrestleMania moments. It was a dream come true. But it ended. So what am I gonna do about it? Am I gonna cry? Am I gonna f*cking b*tch on the internet? No, I use the tools that I learned from Vince and the whole company and I’m taking it to the independents. I’m f*cking thriving. So in that sense, WWE was my developmental. That’s not a shot at the company. It created me, not only the wrestler, but the man I am today. I grew up in WWE. I was signed when I was 20 years old. Even in this year, I have grown as a man as a performer. That’s why it’s been so fun. Because I’m like, you know, I’m a very creative person and it’s been so much fun just going out there. I’m a big toy guy, right? I’m wrestling these new toys. I’m getting new toys to play with, except I’m getting to wrestle these new people in front of different audiences. Sometimes they love me, sometimes they hate me. It’s just been a blast.”
Cardona also has big projects for 2022: “I think we just grow you know to start the year going for the world title Impact Wrestling. Hammerstein Ballroom sold out. Listen, I’m not saying that I’m the reason that GCW sold out the Hammerstein Ballroom but I will say this: there is no f*cking way they would have sold it out if I didn’t come to GCW. that’s all I’m saying. I’m very very excited to be at Hammerstein Ballroom, I know. The roster, the company, the fans — I was there when we filmed the commercial. Even just now I’m talking about it, goosebumps city. The only show I went to at the Hammerstein Ballroom was the first ECW One Night Stand. My trainer Mikey Whpwreck, an ECW original, took me there and I watched it as a fan. To be back there is going to be awesome sold out. I’m already planning a WrestleMania entrance. I’m very very excited. It’s gonna be a hell of a night.”
H/T to Fightful for the transcription.
