Former WWE US Champion "took a paycut" to re-sign with the company

A former WWE United States Champion had a lengthy stint in WWE before being released in 2016. He returned to the company a decade later after a spectacular run on the independent circuit. The star is Matt Cardona. He returned to the Stamford-based wrestling promotion this year and made a major revelation about his return to WWE.Matt Cardona took a pay cut to re-sign with WWEIn an interview with Jeremy Jacobowitz, Matt Cardona revealed that he made more money outside WWE. In a surprise turn of events, the former WWE Tag Team Champion decided to take a pay cut to rejoin the company. Cardona did so as he called being in WWE the ultimate opportunity if it worked out, so he decided to take that risk.Cardona said, "I made more money outside WWE than I ever made in WWE. Like, I technically took a pay cut to go back to WWE. You know what I’m saying? That’s how much money I was making on the indies. But WWE, going back, is the ultimate opportunity.‘Cause if it works out, it’ll be the ultimate raise, right?Like, I’m sitting here talking to you because WWE set this up."What was Matt Cardona's mindset after being released by WWE?In the same interview, Cardona reflected on the three paths he had after being released by WWE. He chose the path Honky Tonk Man took after his WWE stint ended. At the same time, he wanted to reinvent himself and not be 'Zack Ryder' on the indies. Instead, he became his authentic self, Matt Cardona, which was one of the biggest names on the independent circuit."I knew then I had three options because I’m a student of the game. I see what happens when people leave WWE. You can fade into obscurity, right, which I wasn’t going to do. You can, you know, just be bitter and negative, fade into obscurity. Or you can, like, just coast off your WWE name forever.I don’t mean, like, the literal name. Like, Honky Tonk Man is still doing the Shake, Rattle and Roll and the jump, and I love that, and it’s great. I love Honky. But I didn’t want to still do the ‘woo woo woo’ on the indies", said Cardona.A major advantage for Cardona that came from signing with WWE was that he was able to work and travel with his real-life wife, Chelsea Green. The couple are currently a part of SmackDown, where Green is the reigning WWE Women's Champion and was even featured in an in-ring altercation with Gunther. As Cardona continues to navigate his second WWE run, we will have to wait and see what the future holds for him.Also read: Former WWE Women's Champion Asuka shuts down exit rumors, confirms she has no plans to quit the companyStay updated with the latest Asian Games 2026 news, check the Asian Games medal tally and complete Asian Games schedule.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.