Former United States Champion reveals lack of communication ahead of WWE Draft
The 2024 WWE Draft is set to begin on tonight's SmackDown, and then wrap up on Monday's RAW. Only the top Superstars find out about their Draft picks ahead of time, and now a veteran talent has just revealed another example of internal miscommunication.
The fifth WWE Draft took place in 2007 and was the first-ever tri-branded Draft as World Wrestling Entertainment's ECW brand was involved. The first 10 picks aired on RAW, and then 14 more picks were made six days later in the Supplemental Draft on the company's website. The 18th pick of the 2007 Draft saw SmackDown select The Major Brothers from ECW. Bret Major was later known as Zack Ryder, now Matt Cardona, while Brian Major was later known as Curt Hawkins, now Brian Myers.
Cardona took to X today to reveal that he had to check the official company website to find out about his trade. The free agent included a bit of nostalgia as he mentioned using a Motorola Razr phone:
"In 2007 I found out I was drafted to SmackDown by going to WWE.com on my Razr phone," Matt Cardona wrote.
Cardona's 15-year run with the Stamford-based company ended on April 15, 2020, as he was released due to COVID-19 budget cuts, along with Hawkins. Officials released more than 50 talents and employees that week.
Matt Cardona comments on his final WWE match
Matt Cardona is now finding success as a free agent, working with companies like TNA, NWA, GCW, and several top indies. The former Zack Ryder has won numerous titles since WWE released him on April 15, 2020.
Cardona worked more than 1,000 matches while under contract to the company. His final match came on March 9, 2020, as Bobby Lashley squashed him in just over 1 minute on RAW.
The three-time Slammy Award winner took to X after Sting's big retirement at AEW Revolution earlier this year and joked about his loss to Lashley:
"Damn... I wonder why Zack Ryder's last match didn't get much attention. [loudly crying face emoji]," Matt Cardona wrote with a photo from the match.
Cardona left the company as a one-time Intercontinental Champion, a one-time United States Champion, and a two-time Tag Team Champion.