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Matt Cardona knows a thing or two about the independent professional wrestling scene.
Following his release from WWE in April 2020, Cardona renamed himself “Indy God” after spending years under the name Zack Ryder. He spent years cultivating his new look through several independent promotions and major companies in the United States whose names weren’t WWE or AEW.
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Matt Cardona enters the arena before feuding with Trick Williams (not pictured) during SmackDown at SAP Center on April 10, 2026 in San Jose, California. (Eakin Howard/Getty Images)
There are currently several independent professional wrestlers who are also finding success through their own branding and marketing. Cardona named a few in a recent interview with PK Press Club Digital when asked who he thinks is the new “Indy God.”
“Who is the “God of Indy?” » Oh, I don’t know if anyone is the “God of Indy.” But there are people who have definitely mobilized. For example, Shotzi, who was in WWE at one point. When she left, I think she copied Matt Cardona’s formula and it’s good for her and we had some incredible matches together. He’s someone who cares. I think effort is very, very important, not only in independent wrestling but in professional wrestling in general. If you don’t do everything you can to succeed, if you don’t think of yourself as a big deal, I don’t think anyone else will. I would definitely put Shotzi on this list.
“Two more people to watch in the independents – Richard Holliday. He’s another one who’s always on social media. He’s always trying to force himself to swallow you up, like I did when I was gone. When you’re not in WWE, you can’t take a day off without being on your phone. Like, Chelsea (Green) was always yelling at me for always being on my phone: ‘You post too much on social media.’ I said, baby, if you don’t want to be on your phone, WWE will post about you, WWE Shop will post about you, USA Network will post about you, ESPN, Netflix. If I don’t post about myself, no one will post about me. Richard Holliday takes this to heart.
Ben Bishop promotes Richard Holliday in Awesome Championship Wrestling. (Jay Vogel)
Ben Bishop supports Richard Holliday in Awesome Championship Wrestling. (Jay Vogel)
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“Also, Ben Bishop, another guy. So, I would say, Shotzi, Ben Bishop and Richard Holliday, the three to watch.”
Currently, Shotzi is the Major League Wrestling Women’s World Champion and has appeared in several different promotions around the world.
Holliday and Bishop have also amassed a huge following on social media, helping to increase their visibility in the sport.
Major League Wrestling star Shotzi wears his fighting hat in the ring. (MLW)
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Cardona shared some advice for those trying to follow his path.
“It’s funny because guys and gals from independents were always asking me for advice. The answer was simple: don’t give up,” he said. “Everyone has a different path. Everyone has a different journey, but if you don’t quit… here’s what I would say: If you don’t quit, you might make it. If you quit, you definitely won’t quit. It’s that simple.”
