WWE Followers React to Former Champion’s Shock SmackDown Return

[ad_1] Friday's episode of WWE SmackDown introduced followers a well-known face, as a former champion returned for a shocking look on the blue model. The episode featured two extra matches from the 16-man John Cena "The Final Time is Now Event" with The Miz vs. Jey Uso and LA Knight vs. a thriller opponent.

Early within the present, followers noticed Jey defeat The Miz to maneuver on within the match, giving him a shot to turn into Cena's last opponent at "Saturday Night time's Most important Occasion" subsequent month. Later within the present, it was time for LA Knight to face an opponent whom basic supervisor Nick Aldis would not announce on the earlier episode.

The shock arrival was none aside from unbiased skilled wrestling star Matt Cardona, who previously appeared with WWE beneath the ring identify Zack Ryder. Whereas in WWE, he was an Intercontinental Champion, United States Champion, and Tag Crew Champion twice with Curt Hawkins.

Learn extra: Former WWE Star Will get Brutally Sincere About John Cena Profitable the IC Title

<img id="11052598" alt="wwe smackdown ring setup with fans" caption="SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 17: Nia Jax and Bianca Belair in action during Smackdown at Pechanga Arena on January 17, 2025 in San Diego, California. (Photo by WWE/Getty Images)" captionoverride="SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 17: Nia Jax and Bianca Belair in action during SmackDown at Pechanga Arena on January 17, 2025, in San Diego, California. (Photo by WWE/Getty Images)" src="(Photo by WWE/Getty Images)" sourcealt="" sources="[]" fetchpriority="auto" loading="lazy" width="5616" height="3744" decoding="async" data-nimg="1" style="color:transparent;aspect-ratio:inherit;object-fit:cover" sizes="(min-width: 1200px) 1536px, (min-width: 768px) 768px, 100vw" srcset="https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/GettyImages-2193837405_6ccef8.jpg?w=640&quality=75&webp=1 640w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/GettyImages-2193837405_6ccef8.jpg?w=750&quality=75&webp=1 750w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/GettyImages-2193837405_6ccef8.jpg?w=1000&quality=75&webp=1 1000w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/GettyImages-2193837405_6ccef8.jpg?w=1200&quality=75&webp=1 1200w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/GettyImages-2193837405_6ccef8.jpg?w=1360&quality=75&webp=1 1360w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/GettyImages-2193837405_6ccef8.jpg?w=1600&quality=75&webp=1 1600w" bad-src="https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/GettyImages-2193837405_6ccef8.jpg?w=1600&quality=75&webp=1"/> Ryder, who has lately appeared with TNA and returned final month to WWE on NXT, went to battle with Knight for an opportunity to maneuver on within the 16-man match.

The shock SmackDown arrival drew a little bit of a pop as some followers acknowledged the previous WWE star, who returned with a "Woo Woo Woo" intro and a remixed Zack Ryder theme track and graphics.

Numerous social media accounts shared a clip of Ryder's vital return to the blue model, the place he was a part of Edge's La Familia crew years in the past with Hawkins.

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There have been loads of feedback about his look on-line, as many followers reacted to seeing Cardona again on a WWE present aside from NXT or to studying who Knight's thriller opponent was.

"What???? Zack Ryder was by no means coming again I believed….," a fan commented on WrestleOps X clip of Ryder's entrance.

"I MISSED HIS THEME SOO MUCHHH," one other fan wrote on X.

"Returning as Zack Ryder and never Matt Cardona is insane, makes this second 10 instances higher," a fan commented.

"Lmao a lot for Matt doing all that 'Zack Ryder is useless if I return it's going to be as Matt Cardona,'" somebody famous on X.

"Hooray a lifelong jobber returned! What an absolute waste and let down man. I'd’ve been pissed being at this present," one other fan stated.

"if he returned on the rumble he would’ve had the loudest pop of the 12 months," another person wrote in an X remark.

"You guys have the chance to do the funniest factor and have the opposite thriller opponent be Matt cardona," a fan hilariously instructed to WWE.

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Earlier than the shock arrival on WWE SmackDown, there had been hypothesis that Knight's thriller opponent could possibly be Joe Henry, who lately signed a deal to turn into a member of WWE. Moreover, some followers believed that the SmackDown GM would possibly enter the match to face Knight.

It is unclear whether or not Ryder's return on WWE SmackDown means extra WWE appearances are on the way in which. His real-life spouse, Chelsea Inexperienced, is presently signed with WWE, the place she's a double champion. Ryder in the end misplaced his match match to LA Knight, who will transfer on to the subsequent spherical.

Extra matches happen on "Monday Night time Uncooked," on Monday, Nov. 17, which additionally options John Cena's last look in Madison Sq. Backyard. NXT's Je'Von Evans battles Gunther, and Solo Sikoa battles a thriller opponent.