After being released from WWE in 2020, Matt Cardona has embraced his new persona as the “Indie God” and claims to be more financially successful working on his own terms than he was under his previous contract. However, his ambition for another opportunity at a significant platform remains strong, as he revealed during an interview on “Busted Open Radio.”
Cardona stated, “Following my release, my focus shifted away from returning to WWE or seeking attention from AEW. It became about proving myself right rather than proving others wrong. Nonetheless, I must confess that I don’t envision wrestling in small venues for the rest of my career. When I faced Edge, Adam Copeland, at an AEW event a few months back and felt the energy of the crowd in a sizable arena, it reignited my passion. I long for another WrestleMania moment, a performance at Madison Square Garden, or participation in events like All In at Wembley Stadium. These are the aspirations that drive me.”
Despite being honored as “Indie Wrestler of the Year” twice by Pro Wrestling Illustrated, Cardona recently encountered a setback due to a torn pectoral muscle. Surprisingly, he views this injury as a catalyst for pushing himself even further. “I view this injury as a reminder that we need to push ourselves harder, not just settle for the ‘Indie God’ title. Perhaps we should strive for opportunities in major wrestling promotions,” he remarked, indicating his intent to make independent appearances while recovering.