Matt Cardona thinks the NXT and TNA partnership is awesome for the wrestlers and the fans.
The “Indie God” has been on a roll since leaving the WWE. His release in 2020 was followed by a short run in AEW before Matt Cardona broke out as a huge star on the indie scene.
He has also had numerous runs in TNA, who are currently enjoying a fruitful partnership with NXT. Stars like Joe Hendry and Jordynne Grace have become stars in the WWE. Matt Cardona sees as great for wrestlers and fans.
Cardona spoke with Kyle Collison and J Bone of Knockouts and 3 Counts on Bodyslam.Net. He was asked about his thoughts on the NXT/TNA partnership. He said it is great for wrestlers and fans, comparing it to the Monday Night Wars, but if WWE and WCW worked together.
“Oh man, I think it’s so exciting! As a wrestling fan who gets to watch TNA and NXT, I’m thrilled to see who’s going to show up each week. But it’s not just the fans—wrestlers are interested too. Everyone seems to be having a great time with it, and I think it’s great for everybody involved. It feels like the Monday Night Wars again, except this time, NXT and TNA aren’t against each other; they’re working together, which is really cool.”
“You’ve seen the impact it’s had on guys like Joe Hendry, and it’s exciting to think about who might be next. Who’s going to show up? Who’s it going to be? It’s a great time, not just for the wrestlers but for wrestling fans as well. And since I’m both, it’s awesome for me.”
Matt Cardona Refuses To Rule Out Royal Rumble Appearance
Matt Cardona was asked about potentially appearing in next year’s Royal Rumble, to which he replied “never say never”.
He went on to explain how he is his own boss, and doesn’t need to ask anyone for permission to wrestle anywhere. He calls the freedom “refreshing”, noting he can work as much or as little as he wants.
“Never say never, right? That’s the beauty of my current situation—I’m not tied down to anyone. I don’t have to ask for permission to do anything. It’s the ultimate power of being my own boss, and it’s been the best time of my career. No matter how you define success—whether it’s accolades, money, or happiness—this has definitely been the most successful period for me.”
“It’s an incredible feeling to open my calendar and see that every date there is one I approved. I choose where I want to be. Last week, I only worked one show because I wanted a little vacation, and I can do that whenever I want. That freedom is just so refreshing. My time in WWE was fantastic—it was my dream job for over a decade. There were highs and lows, but it all set me up for where I am now, being the Indie God.”
