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Matt Cardona Headlining Beyond Wrestling’s Shamrock Slam

“Alec Price may be an indie darling, but I am ‘The Indie God’”

Justin Barrasso

Matt Cardona Headlining Beyond Wrestling’s Shamrock Slam
Matt Cardona Headlining Beyond Wrestling’s Shamrock Slam /

Matt Cardona has excelled in multiple areas of pro wrestling. His podcast, passion for the craft, and affinity toward creating new wrestling figures is all part of his allure. But that only enhances the Cardona package, which is completed with his in-ring prowess.

Make no mistake: for all the hype around him, and all the praise for his charisma and entrepreneurial spirit, Cardona’s greatest strength is still inside the ring.

“I take a lot of pride in everything I do, especially my wrestling,” said Cardona. “No matter if it’s a deathmatch, or a one-on-one competitive match with one of the indie darlings, I can wrestle any opponent–and any style.”

Courtesy Beyond Wrestling
Courtesy Beyond Wrestling

Later tonight, Cardona will play a major role as Beyond Wrestling takes part in Boston’s iconic Harpoon St. Patrick’s Festival. Presented by Clown Shoes, the 21-plus event–The Shamrock Slam–is headlined by Cardona, who wrestles rising talent Alec Price in the main event.

“It’s the biggest opportunity of his career, but I also have something to prove,” said Cardona. “I get another chance to prove I can hang with the younger guys. Alec Price may be an indie darling, but I am ‘The Indie God.’”

Promoters who book Cardona know he has an uncanny ability to make his match the most memorable part of the night. With the Shamrock Slam already registering as the highest attended show in the 15-year history of Beyond Wrestling, founder/owner Drew Cordeiro is eagerly anticipating what Cardona will bring to Boston.

“As an independent wrestler, Matt Cardona is the gold standard,” said Cordeiro. “He has the biggest following, does the most to promote his appearances, stays in amazing shape, conducts himself in a professional manner, and knows exactly how to give the fans what they want.

“There are very few wrestlers out there who have ever worked in front of a crowd this size because there are very few independent wrestling events that have ever surpassed a crowd of 2,000 paying fans. Matt Cardona versus Alec Price will be magic.”

Price is from nearby East Boston, and he is developing a reputation as one of the brightest talents across the indies. Cardona, who is entering the two-decade mark in pro wrestling, has posted some critiques of Price on social media, and it will be fascinating to watch how the two work with one another in the ring.

“I’ve seen this guy on the independents for years, and he’s one of the up-and-comers for sure,” said Cardona. “I do think he needs to hit the gym a little more. I do think he could use a tan. I will say he has a connection with the audience, that’s undisputed, and he has a talent in the ring. But he couldn’t have wrestled anybody tonight for this match to be successful. He needed me, and I think he knows that.”

Cardona’s confidence should not be mistaken for arrogance. He has brought an entirely new excitement to the indies. His creativity in matches and even in his ring attire have made his appearances appointment-viewing.

At first glance, it is surprising that Cardona has not been reacquired by WWE, where he worked for 14 years, or signed by AEW or TNA. But he is the rarest type of talent: one that ascertained how to succeed without a major promotion backing him.

“We’re almost at the four-year anniversary of getting released from my WWE contract,” said Cardona. “I had high hopes for what I wanted to accomplish, but even I couldn’t have envisioned all I did. This has been the most successful I’ve ever been in my career. Whether you count success as accolades, happiness, or money, it’s my most successful time.

“And why doesn’t AEW or WWE hire me? That’s a question you need to ask them. I’m not here to prove anyone wrong–I’m here to prove myself and my fans right. My goal was to reinvent myself and reinvent what it means to be a successful independent wrestler. I’ve proven you don’t need AEW or WWE. I am grateful for my time in WWE, from 2006-2020. WWE was my developmental. That’s not a dig. They literally taught me everything I needed to be a success outside of WWE. It’s only March, and my calendar is booked through November. If the phone rang and it was Triple H or Tony Khan, of course I’d listen. But that’s not my goal. My goal is to continue being the best version of me.”

Tonight’s Beyond card also features AEW’s Kris Statlander and Willow Nightingale, as well as former WWE stars Mace and Mansoor. Yet there is no bigger star than Cardona, who is potentially only months away–this June, to be exact–from one of the most significant matches of his career.

If Mick Foley returns for one final match, there is no better choice for an opponent than Cardona.

“It’s no secret I’ve been politicking for this match,” said Cardona. “Go back to the Hammerstein ballroom a couple years ago, I was wearing a flannel that said ‘F--- Mick Foley’. If he wants a deathmatch, it would only be fitting to have one against the deathmatch king. It would be the biggest match in the history of independent pro wrestling.”

A match against Foley could be spectacular. But Cardona’s focus is bringing that same energy and zeal to Beyond’s Shamrock Slam, where he plans to leave fans in awe.

“I’m treating this like it’s the most important match in the world,” said Cardona. “This is going to be special–it’s the main event with the biggest attendance Beyond has ever seen.

“I look like a million bucks, my tan looks great, and I’m coming in with a fresh haircut. There are no off days with me. You’re going to see the best version of Matt Cardona.”

Published
Justin Barrasso
JUSTIN BARRASSO

Justin Barrasso has been writing for Sports Illustrated since 2014. While his primary focus is pro wrestling and MMA, he has also covered MLB, NBA, and the NFL. He can be reached at JBarrasso@gmail.com and followed on Twitter @JustinBarrasso.

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