Cody Rhodes doesn’t throw around the word “friend” lightly. In an industry built on rivalries, showmanship, and shifting locker rooms, genuine connections are tough to find. But for The American Nightmare, one name has remained constant through all the ups, downs, and reinventions of his career.
It’s not the name fans chant during WrestleMania. It’s not someone he stands beside on RAW. But it’s someone who’s always been there-off camera, off script. And Cody isn’t shy about calling this person his true best friend. The star is none other than Matt Cardona.
Let’s dive into the story behind that friendship and why it still matters to him today.
Matt Cardona is Cody Rhodes’ True Best Friend in WWE
Cody Rhodes and Matt Cardona (fka Zack Ryder in WWE) go way back. It all started during their early WWE days, long before either of them became a major singles star.
Both were grinding on the undercard, figuring things out, and leaning on each other when the cameras weren’t rolling.
Even though their careers went different ways, with Cody reaching the top of WWE and Matt making a name for himself on the independent circuit, their bond never really changed.
Also, they have openly spoken about their friendship on various occasions. When Cody Rhodes appeared on The Major Wrestling Figure Podcast, co-hosted by Brian Myers (formerly Curt Hawkins) and Matt Cardona, he couldn’t help but poke fun at his longtime friend, Matt. The American Nightmare said:
“I’ve tried to hang out with Mr Cardona at least now 33 separate times when I come to Orlando, when we go to the parks and he’s always too busy! Always checking his ‘schedule.'” (Timestamp: 1:44-2:00)
Later, Matt Cardona revealed he’d worn something special for the podcast, The American Nightmare Jacket Cody gifted him years ago.
It wasn’t just a piece of merch; it was a symbol of their friendship, history, and everything they had been through together.
With a smile, The Indy God looked at Cody and said:
“Look, I’m wearing The American Nightmare family jacket you gifted me all those years ago! I was saving it for a special occasion. We have a WWE Champion on the show, What a better time, there’s no better time than right now.” (Timestamp: 2:20-2:47)
In another appearance on the Good Karma Wrestling podcast, Cody Rhodes has praised his best friend, Matt Cardona.
“I’m really proud of him, He’s out there. He’s doing the Indie God thing with the Indiana Jones hats. Everything Matt is doing, Matt has been the King of Indies now. This is going on year two. What Matt does next gonna be huge. If he goes to AEW, that’d be cool, but if he comes back to WWE, that’s what I want. It would be off the Charts. I think he is a huge kit, a huge free agent. He’s the best he’s ever been.” (Timestamp: 9:18-9:42)
In wrestling, genuine friendships are rare, but Cody and Matt’s bond is the real deal. No matter where their careers take them, they’ve always got each other’s backs.
Did Cody Rhodes and Matt Cardona Ever Win Titles Together?
Cody Rhodes and Matt Cardona share a close friendship that fans have admired for years. But when it comes to WWE championships as a team, the two never actually won any gold together.
Although Cody and Matt were briefly connected during WWE’s “Legacy” stable era and crossed paths on different brand rosters, they were never officially booked as a tag team competing for a championship.
WWE never fully capitalized on their undeniable chemistry in the ring to push them as a dominant tag team.
Both men went their separate ways, with Cody eventually becoming WWE Champion and finishing his story, while Cardona reinvented himself as a top indie star.
