Matt Cardona makes his Impact Wrestling debut at Hard to Kill

Former Zack Ryder made his Impact Wrestling debut at tonight’s Hard to Kill pay-per-view.

In a match that was not announced in advance, Matt Cardona faced Ace Austin in Hard to Kill. Cardona won by disqualification when Madman Fulton stepped in to save Austin. Cardona fought Fulton and stood up after hitting Radio Silence.

Cardona tweeted after making his Impact debut: “I needed tonight. Thank you @ScottDAmore for this opportunity. Thank you @IMPACTWRESTLING. Thank you all my fans! I’m #AlwayzReady … I’m #HardToKill … and I DIDN’T DO with @ The_Ace_Austin & @ FultonWorld! “

Austin, who won the Impact Super X-Cup at Genesis earlier this month, came into the ring at tonight’s PPV and cut a promo demanding to be added to the Manik Championship game against Rohit. Raju vs. Chris Bey X-Division. Scott D’Amore said he was going to give Austin another game instead, then introduced Cardona as his opponent.

Cardona was released by WWE during the downsizing of the company last April. He had a short stint at AEW after his release from WWE, including teaming up with Dustin Rhodes, QT Marshall and Scorpio Sky in a eight-man match against The Dark Order at All Out in September.

Cardona hosts the Major Wrestling Figure podcast with his friend and former team partner Brian Myers (formerly Curt Hawkins in WWE). Myers recently signed a contract with Impact Wrestling. After being released from WWE in April, Myers returned to the Impact in July. Myers beat Josh Alexander on tonight’s Hard to Kill pre-show.