The opening matchup of Saturday night’s episode of AEW Collision was TNT Champion “The Rated R Superstar” Adam Copeland’s Cope Open Challenge for his TNT Championship, which was surprisingly answered by Matt Cardona, formerly known as Zack Ryder in WWE.
Fightful Select reports that the decision to bring Cardona in to challenge Copeland for the TNT Title on Collision came together this past week.
Cardona was originally set to defend the Squared Circle Expo Championship against Ultimo Dragon at a Black Label Pro event, but he dropped the title on Friday night so he could make the show.
Cardona has not signed with AEW as of yet and will continue to work as a free agent, much like he has since he was released from WWE in 2020.
