To say that this weekend’s GCW Zombie Walk event ended in chaotic fashion would be an understatement. One day prior, at GCW Tournament of Survival 666, current GCW World Champion Nick Gage called out Matt Cardona, or “Zack Ryder” as he referred to him on Twitter. Despite Gage’s open invitation, Cardona didn’t appear, much to the chagrin of wrestling fans. However, as someone who’s “Always Ready,” Cardona acknowledged “The King of Ultraviolence” in his own way. In the process, Cardona managed to raise the ire of the GCW faithful to a tremendous degree.
The main event of GCW Zombie Walk saw Nick Gage defend the GCW World Championship against Jimmy Lloyd. Following the match, which ended in a no-contest, a hooded figure appeared behind Gage. The figure in question began to mimic the body mannerisms of Jon Moxley, who had his own altercation with Gage last month at the Draft Day event. When Gage turned, the figure dropped him with the Paradigm Shift. Rising from the mat, the figure lifted his hood to reveal himself as none other than Matt Cardona. This elicited a strong reaction from the crowd at The Showboat, including derogatory chants directed at the former “Long Island Iced Z.”
Zack ryder whats good bud i aint heard from you did you figure it out or whats the deal the more i think about it the more i want to fight you and use my fists to cause physical harm to your face and body i have what they call "violent tendencies" my bad @TheMattCardona MDK
— Nick FN Gage (@thekingnickgage) May 19, 2021
This developing feud between Matt Cardona and Nick Gage stems from a tweet sent by a fan to Cardona. The fan asked if Cardona would like to fight Gage, to which the former responded positively to. From there, fans took the idea and ran with it, even creating their own custom posters and artwork. Even Cardona himself created his own MDK-inspired design, taunting the current GCW World Champion. Gage would not respond so playfully.
Essentially, Gage challenged Cardona to a fight, all the while referring to him by the name that he used in World Wrestling Entertainment for over a decade. Cardona responded in a diplomatic fashion, saying that he had no interest in fighting the GCW World Champion but would like to have him as a guest on The Major Wrestling Figure Podcast, hosted by Cardona and current IMPACT Wrestling star Brian Myers. From there, the proverbial flames of the feud continued to be stoked, largely by wrestling fans.
This is Matt Cardona’s first-ever GCW appearance and it’s safe to assume that he will soon wrestle his first match for the promotion in due time. Given the ending of GCW Zombie Walk, which saw him leave an unconscious Nick Gage in his wake, expect to see a sanctioned match between the two. Whether the GCW World Championship is on the line, this seemingly inevitable match should prove to be nothing short of a brutal encounter.
Nick Gage is confronted by a hooded figure…moving like Jon Moxley…
The hooded figure hits the Paradigm Shift…
The figure takes his hood off and it’s MATT CARDONA! https://t.co/b19cBmnYJD
— Gary (@GaryOnACross) June 6, 2021
Stay tuned to the Last Word on Pro Wrestling for more on this and other stories from around the world of wrestling, as they develop. You can always count on LWOPW to be on top of the major news in the wrestling world, as well as to provide you with analysis, previews, videos, interviews, and editorials on the wrestling world. Catch a replay of GCW Zombie Walk on FITE.
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