Matt Cardona has returned to TNA Wrestling.
The company presented a special live episode of its weekly flagship show Impact Wrestling from San Antonio, TX for the first time in eight years this Thursday. The show featured a number of surprise appearances with both NXT stars and free agents making their presence felt.
New TNA World Heavyweight Champion Joe Hendry opened the show. Hendry first cut a promo about his title win before proclaiming that he’ll be a fighting champion and then announced an open challenge for his title on the same night.
TNA’s Director of Authority Santino Marella then came out to announce Hendry’s opponent for the night – Matt Cardona. Cardon a came out with a big smile to end the segment.
The title match main evented the show. Frankie Kazarian who won the Call Your Shot Gauntlet match previously was on the commentary for this bout. Cardona played the typical heel role from the beginning doing things like poking Hendry in the eye and mocking the crowd.
The Indy God accidentally knocked the referee out towards the end of the bout and used the opportunity to low blow the champion. He then went outside to grab the TNA title belt but JBL came out. The WWE Hall of Famer delivered a Closethline from Hell to Cardona, leaving Hendry confused.
Matt Cardona still managed to hit Joe Hendry with the title later on but it didn’t prove to be enough. In the end, the champion delivered the Standing Ovation to retain the title.
It appears that Cardona’s return was a one-night-only affair. Though there was another former champion who returned to the company tonight and announced a new contract with the promotion. You can check out more about it here.