This week’s episode of Friday Night SmackDown was the first show of 2026 and it kicked off in a big way. Randy Orton returned during the opening, hit The Miz with the RKO, then told Cody he’s coming for the WWE Championship. Shortly after another familiar face returned to the company.
Kit Wilson made his way down to the ring and he told everyone that he was there to redefine masculinity. He said that Buffalo and the Buffalo Bills are toxic. Wilson continued to berate the crowd and the “Woo Woo Woo You Know It” popped up on the screen. As Cardona was walking out the screen changed to show Matt Cardona’s name as his music played instead of the Zack Ryder theme.
During the match Michael Cole announced that Nick Aldis informed him Matt Cardona is now officially part of the Friday Night SmackDown roster. Cardona picked up the win when he put Wilson away with the Rough Ryder. Michael Cole pointed out that the victory was Matt Cardona’s first win in a WWE ring in over six years.
Matt Cardona appeared on WWE programming a few months ago when he returned on the November 14th episode of SmackDown. Cardona returned as Zack Ryder to face off against LA Knight in The Last Time Is Now Tournament in a match that saw LA Knight pick up the victory. It was reported following the appearance that it was just a one off, but now it appears that he is officially back with the company.
Stay tuned for more information on Matt Cardona’s return as they become available.
MATT CARDONA IS HERE 🤩
Zack Ryder is so last year 😜 pic.twitter.com/AsEYWMUbE2
— WWE (@WWE) January 3, 2026