Matt Cardona said he took a pay cut to rejoin WWE in January, after more than five years spent building his career outside the company.
In a recent interview with Jeremy Jacobowitz, Cardona explained that he made more money on the independent scene than he did at any point during his first WWE run.
“I made more money outside WWE than I ever made in WWE,” Cardona said. “I technically took a pay cut to go back to WWE. That’s how much money I was making on the indies.”
Cardona made it clear, though, that he does not see the move as a step back, because he views WWE as an opportunity that can take his career even further.
“But WWE, going back, is the ultimate opportunity, because if it works out, it’ll be the ultimate raise, right?” he added. “I’m sitting here talking to you because WWE set this up.”
Cardona made his official return to WWE on the January 2 episode of SmackDown, defeating Kit Wilson. He was announced that night as a new member of the SmackDown roster.
At the moment, however, Cardona is out of action with a torn triceps he suffered in another match against Wilson on August 21. He underwent surgery four days later.
Despite the injury, Cardona is already eyeing a return. In the same series of interviews with Jacobowitz, Cardona said he would like to come back at the 2027 Royal Rumble because the timing lines up with his expected recovery.