Thoughts on Matt Cardona

[The Real Valbroski]

I want to preface this post by saying I don't think in every case scenario turning somebody heel automatically makes them better or more entertaining.

I'm happy to see Matt Cardona in AEW. It makes sense on paper to book him as this guy that is set out on finally showing the world what he can really do. But so far, I'm having trouble buying into it. I think the reason why he was once so over as a babyface in the WWE was because he had a gimmick that allowed him to play into being this loveable goofball, which isn't too far off from who the real Matt Cardona is. The small mannerisms of him not smiling or trembling with intensity after taking out members of the Dark Order came across as disingenuous. It kind of reminded me of his acting during his angle with Cena and Eve.

What I would have loved to see is for him to turn on Cody after their tag match. I think it would have caught everybody off guard, especially after saving him the week before and it being known that they are close friends. I could picture him slapping Cody and maybe even giving Arn Anderson a radio silence. Then the following week, him cutting a promo along the lines of not needing Cody's friendship to be successful. They could even pull from reality and have him bring up how he may collect toys but they are worth more than what most viewers at home make in a year. It's corny but sometimes corny can work in pro wrestling. There's a lot Cody could counter with as well by bringing up how this isn't the first time a friend betrayed him and how he's already felt distant from the people who are supposed to have his back but that hasn't slowed him down. Maybe Cardona could even be the one who takes the TNT title away from Cody?

What do you guys think? I know he's only made two appearances so it may be a little early to judge but that's where my head went based on first impressions of him in AEW.

[Yambag Jones]

I’m reserving judgment for now.

I’m just happy he’s in a place that will focus on what he can do and not hold him down. Personally, he seems like a really great guy and I think he’s going to be a legit acquisition for AEW.

[Deleted]

I haven't really given a heel Cardona much consideration overall. The reason I haven't is I can't really imagine them turning the toy guy heel, knowing how much marketing he'll be doing for their toy line.

[Zigzag]

1 - There's no way on Earth that Arn is taking a bump like that today.

2 - Unless something happens in the next couple weeks, he's only contracted for three more appearances.

[The Real Valbroski]

Aug 6, 2020 19:14:35 GMT -5 Zigzag said:

1 - There's no way on Earth that Arn is taking a bump like that today.

2 - Unless something happens in the next couple weeks, he's only contracted for three more appearances.

It's fair game to speculate about booking for anybody, regardless of the amount of appearances they are scheduled for. The Arn idea is a reach but having him involved in some capacity would have been good heat. Maybe have him take the slap and Cody the radio silence.

[Deleted]

Aug 6, 2020 19:14:35 GMT -5 Zigzag said:

1 - There's no way on Earth that Arn is taking a bump like that today.

2 - Unless something happens in the next couple weeks, he's only contracted for three more appearances.

Has anyone confirmed this whole 5 appearance deal? I mean, they haven't done the all elite graphic yet, but they also put his tee on their site, and they usually don't do that unless the wrestler is actually under contract.  I.e., that was the evidence the whole "Revival are on a handshake deal" was a total work. 

[The Real Valbroski]

Aug 6, 2020 19:27:03 GMT -5 @gardinermitch said:

Aug 6, 2020 19:14:35 GMT -5 Zigzag said:

1 - There's no way on Earth that Arn is taking a bump like that today.

2 - Unless something happens in the next couple weeks, he's only contracted for three more appearances.

Has anyone confirmed this whole 5 appearance deal? I mean, they haven't done the all elite graphic yet, but they also put his tee on their site, and they usually don't do that unless the wrestler is actually under contract.  I.e., that was the evidence the whole "Revival are on a handshake deal" was a total work. 

Yeah, he confirms it's only a few appearances right now in this video at 04:13 but then right after talks about future plans and goals for his run. I'd imagine he's just testing the waters.

[Deleted]

Ah thanks! Butcher and blade apparently started the same way. 5 appearance tryout then they got longer contracts after that

[kinnikuman]

He will forever be WOO WOO WOO. He can thank the WWE for ruining him. His loveable sidekick and Heath Slater can say the same too. I know wrestlers can't unionize, but at some point they need to stand up for themselves and each other for the garbage writers, CEOs, and bookers might make them do. I mean damn ... Nick Dinsmore could've been someone. Who will he forever be now? Eugene.

[FLUX]

More power to him since he's apparently happy and he's making money, but I think AEW should've focused more on elevating their current core of talent instead of signing more ex-WWE guys.

[Deleted]

He's a talented guy, for sure, and he is strong where many talents in AEW are weak; he knows how to connect with fans so that his matches mean something, and not the other way around. He's an asset to work with everyone else.

That said, hopefully he can show more of his talents in-ring, too, which is needed to be successful in AEW. He's also got a ceiling if he carries over a lot of the same character, as the role he filled in WWE, the lovable goof, is already taken-up by Orange Cassidy, and there's no topping OC. I'd also argue that Colt Cabana fills a similar role, already. 

He lurks these forums, too, so if you see this, good luck!!! 

[vampiroporvida]

I wasn't stoked about him coming to AEW, but he looks different, and almost menacing like an enforcer type. I think if he explores his move creation creativity, which given a couple of things I hadn't seen before he did them in the E (his sigs and finish), I know he has, he could be something special. AEW needs a creative dynamo like Nova was in ECW (not saying MC is it, but maybe a version of). I don't see it as a bad thing that he looks like a more athletic, creative, Matt Morgan.

His humbleness in the coming to AEW vlog, and the nervousness he showed said a lot to me. Good luck dude. We are rooting for you.

VPV

[Deleted]

I’m looking forward to see what he can do out of the wwe prison.

[punksnotdead]

I’m not sure he realizes it, actually I’m positive he doesn’t, but he’s an extremely natural heel imo.

He’s a no brainer for AEW from a business perspective. Whether you understand his following or not, he brings that fan base with him. Those are passionate eyes for AEW.

I think he’ll be fine as heel or face. I think if he wants to be a top tier guy he’ll need to be a heel. His size alone in contrast with the roster makes him great foil. He’s actually a better fit for the Cage role than Cage imo. Cage is so sensational he should be a top baby. Matt is more meat and potatoes in the ring and won’t get those wow pops. Plus, he has the connection with Taz from his childhood.

[The Real Valbroski]

Aug 7, 2020 8:33:13 GMT -5 vampiroporvida said:

I wasn't stoked about him coming to AEW, but he looks different, and almost menacing like an enforcer type. I think if he explores his move creation creativity, which given a couple of things I hadn't seen before he did them in the E (his sigs and finish), I know he has, he could be something special. AEW needs a creative dynamo like Nova was in ECW (not saying MC is it, but maybe a version of). I don't see it as a bad thing that he looks like a more athletic, creative, Matt Morgan.

His humbleness in the coming to AEW vlog, and the nervousness he showed said a lot to me. Good luck dude. We are rooting for you.

VPV

Wow, he reminded you of Matt Morgan? That’s a really interesting take. I still can’t wrap my head around him being an enforcer type but on the plus side, at least he looks the part physically for it to be believable.

[The Real Valbroski]

Aug 7, 2020 9:33:15 GMT -5 punksnotdead said:

I’m not sure he realizes it, actually I’m positive he doesn’t, but he’s an extremely natural heel imo.

He’s a no brainer for AEW from a business perspective. Whether you understand his following or not, he brings that fan base with him. Those are passionate eyes for AEW.

I think he’ll be fine as heel or face. I think if he wants to be a top tier guy he’ll need to be a heel. His size alone in contrast with the roster makes him great foil. He’s actually a better fit for the Cage role than Cage imo. Cage is so sensational he should be a top baby. Matt is more meat and potatoes in the ring and won’t get those wow pops. Plus, he has the connection with Taz from his childhood.

I don’t agree with putting Cardona in Cage’s spot but I think it’s really cool you can see that for him. If they could pull that off, it would remind me of Drew McIntyre going from an overlooked mid card talent to a main event champion.

[Tomoblivion]

Not fussed about him. A pointless signing in my opinion. For me, it looks like quantity over quality.

[vampiroporvida]

Aug 7, 2020 9:40:31 GMT -5 The Real Valbroski said:

Aug 7, 2020 8:33:13 GMT -5 vampiroporvida said:

I wasn't stoked about him coming to AEW, but he looks different, and almost menacing like an enforcer type. I think if he explores his move creation creativity, which given a couple of things I hadn't seen before he did them in the E (his sigs and finish), I know he has, he could be something special. AEW needs a creative dynamo like Nova was in ECW (not saying MC is it, but maybe a version of). I don't see it as a bad thing that he looks like a more athletic, creative, Matt Morgan.

His humbleness in the coming to AEW vlog, and the nervousness he showed said a lot to me. Good luck dude. We are rooting for you.

VPV

Wow, he reminded you of Matt Morgan? That’s a really interesting take. I still can’t wrap my head around him being an enforcer type but on the plus side, at least he looks the part physically for it to be believable.

For sure. I honestly think they have similar structures and faces, and it seemed MC had changed up his aggression a bit, which MM had that type of boom in his hands. MM had a big upside, and we never really know what a wrestler is capable of without constraints, so it may be a fair comparison, but I also may be way off the mark.

[Deep Figure Value]

I guess I don't care. I mean, there's not a lot AEW is doing right now that's grabbing me by the head and forcing my eyes on the product as is, and Cardona definitely doesn't fit that category. I know a lot of people always held that he was one of those "remove the shackles and watch him run wild talents", but honestly, I think he's less of that than even Cody, who has similarly varied mileage in that respect. I think he could have been used more in his role with WWE, but not necessarily greater. I also don't think there's any shame in what he accomplished with the WWE, but I don't look back on too many scenarios of "what could have been" with him.

[Yambag Jones]

Aug 6, 2020 19:59:21 GMT -5 FLUX said:

More power to him since he's apparently happy and he's making money, but I think AEW should've focused more on elevating their current core of talent instead of signing more ex-WWE guys.

Cody said there was a hiring freeze, with the only exception being Cardona when his 90 days were up.

WWE has had like 750 wrestlers on their roster over the last decade, so at some point they're going to sign ex-WWE talent. Cardona's a guy with a HUGE following and he's feuding with the Beaver Boys. It's not like he came in and won the title off of Mox. They're building up their own talent really well right now (especially on the last few weeks).