Matt Cardona isn’t sure how his match with Nick Gage will go, but he thinks it’ll be a great spectacle whether he wins or loses.
Matt Cardona was a guest on this week’s episode of Pro Wrestling 4 Life with Sean Waltman and talked about his attempt at getting himself over in WWE with his YouTube show, which is now being revisited in the form of his retrospective podcast called ‘MC: True Long Island Story.’
“We’re going back a decade later and going episode-by-episode and seeing what was going on in my head, what was going on backstage but at that time I was trying to create buzz and either get noticed or get fired. I didn’t want to get fired but I knew if I got fired for what I was doing I would have buzz to go elsewhere. I was just sick of sitting in the back. Not everyone can be the chosen one, not everyone can be undefeated and win all the belts, I get it,” Cardona explained, “but I was going to create my own opportunity because nobody was gonna do it and that’s fine, I’m not complaining about it but I was gonna make a name for myself.”
After Waltman said that Becky Lynch was a recent example of finding that type of success, Cardona said he thinks everyone starts with the same dream of being a wrestler, and he might not reach that original goal, but he’ll at least try to.
“I think we all dream of being the top guy in this business, and yes, that’s not gonna happen for everybody but why not try? I hate the whole ‘you only live once’ motto, but it’s true. I never wanna live with regret, I never wanna look back and think ‘ah, I wish I would’ve tried this or try that,’ like no, I’m going balls to the wall. Listen, I might fail, I might not succeed,” Cardona said, “but I’m gonna try. You’ve got to.”
Cardona also spoke with Waltman and co-host Nick Hausman about the huge response to his new feud with Nick Gage, and how it took on a life of its own.
“So, it all kind of happened suddenly. I don’t know if he tweeted me or if a fan asked me to wrestle him, and I made some smart-ass comment back to them, but all of a sudden he just started going off. I couldn’t tell if he was j0king or if he was serious, but he seemed pretty serious. And then the promotion GCW, they were promoting that I was gonna be there at the show and I’m clearly not there, I had a booking somewhere else,” Cardona explained, “and then he got on the mic and was like ‘Zack Ryder’s a pussy’ and everyone’s chanting that I’m a pussy—I was in Chicago! [laughs]
“So, listen death match wrestling is not my cup of tea, it’s not my style. I respect it and I had to shut this guy up, plain and simple. Like I said, I’m always trying to create buzz and I’m never happy in my spot. That’s not saying I’m not grateful for what I have but I always want more and I think there’s nothing wrong with wanting more and setting goals.”
Cardona said that he hates using the term “free agent” but he’s his own boss and he’s enjoying what he’s doing right now.
“I gotta pay the bills, I gotta get my name out there, IMPACT has been so, so much fun, it’s so refreshing to be there and I’m actually involved and actually have matches that mean something. I’m a big fan, I’m a kid at heart, so if I know at this pay-per-view match, I can get some cool gear made as opposed to me getting this gear made at WWE and 9 times-out-of 10 it’s in this forgettable match, like I have no entrance and I’m losing in three minutes. So, it’s cool that I’m doing stuff that matters in IMPACT and it’s so much fun,” Cardona said. “Now, I can go wrestle at Warrior Wrestling one day and then the next day I can be at GCW and lay out Nick Gage, it’s awesome.”
Waltman then asked about his experience in a deathmatch, and while Cardona said he’s had some street fights and backyard fights, he’s never gone this far. Despite the lack of inexperience, he says he’s working to keep his name out there and isn’t afraid to do that, win or lose.
“I’m not afraid, in the sense that I’m not afraid to lose or get hurt, because I want to take chances. This is a perfect opportunity, and listen, I knew that this was going to create some buzz. It created a lot more buzz than I thought it would, which is great. You always have to reinvent yourself and keep your name out there, especially if you’re not someone that everyone’s going to get behind 24/7, you’ve got to remind people why they should be behind you. I’m not saying I’m the hardest worker in professional wrestling, but find someone that works harder than me.”
Waltman asked if Cardona saw the match going a certain way, and he replied that he’s not exactly sure what will go down, but it will definitely be something memorable.
“I’ve seen the Dark Side Of The Ring and honestly, I had to look away at some of the scenes. I’m like, ‘What the fuck is going to happen in this match?’ But, I know we have a match booked, GCW Homecoming, and I’m hoping that a lot of my fans come too. I’d love half and half, that atmosphere and electricity of people hating me and loving me, same with Nick. I really think we’re going to give the people something to see,” he noted, “and it’s kinda like a happy accident. It wasn’t like I said ‘I’m going to go after this Nick Gage guy…’ No! Someone Tweeted, we went back and forth and it escalated.”
If you use this transcript, credit WrestleZone and link back to this post.
Read More: Matt Cardona: ‘I Want To Be The Face Of GCW,’ Vows To Take The Title From Nick Gage
