Friday's episode of SmackDown featured a surprise return of former champion Matt Cardona, formerly known as Zack Ryder. He appeared as LA Knight's mystery opponent in the "The Last Time is Now Tournament," a 16-man competition.
Cardona, who has held multiple titles with WWE in the past, including the Intercontinental Championship and United States Championship, made his entrance with his classic "Woo Woo Woo" catchphrase and a remixed theme song, generating a notable reaction from the live audience and online. Despite the surprise and some fans' nostalgic excitement, Cardona ultimately lost the match to LA Knight, who advanced in the tournament.
There was prior speculation about Knight's opponent, with names like Joe Henry and even the general manager being mentioned. It remains uncertain if Cardona's appearance signifies a longer-term return to WWE beyond this one-off match.
