Former Star Set for WWE In-Ring Return After.

Matt Cardona’s first WWE match in over five years has been officially announced. The current TNA star is set to compete on next week's episode of NXT.

Cardona's return to a WWE ring was confirmed during a segment at the historic NXT vs. TNA Showdown special on Tuesday night. He will go one-on-one with Josh Briggs.

Since his WWE release as Zack Ryder in April 2020, Matt Cardona has successfully reinvented himself on the independent circuit and in promotions like AEW and TNA. As a member of the TNA roster, he has made several appearances on NXT television in recent weeks as part of the interpromotional angle.

.@TheMattCardona wants a match with Josh Briggs.

Josh Briggs wants a match with Matt Cardona.

Make it happen @avawwe_ and @themilanmiracle!! pic.twitter.com/RrtxYgVr9g

— WWE (@WWE) October 8, 2025 

His appearances have led to a rivalry with Josh Briggs. Last week on NXT, Cardona interfered in a qualifying match and cost Briggs a spot on Team NXT for the Showdown event.

During a backstage segment at Showdown, Cardona stated that he wasn't sorry for his actions, explaining that he just wanted to be a part of Team TNA for the big show. An irate Josh Briggs then entered NXT General Manager Ava's office to demand a match against Cardona.

With Cardona hiding behind the door, Ava made the match official for the October 14 episode of NXT. This will be Cardona’s first match in a WWE ring since he faced Bobby Lashley on the March 9, 2020, episode of Monday Night Raw.

Cardona's match against Briggs will be one of the first major bouts in the fallout from the Showdown special. The event saw TNA largely dominate, with Mustafa Ali capturing the North American Championship and The Hardy Boyz winning the NXT Tag Team Championship, giving the visiting promotion significant momentum in the ongoing war for brand supremacy.