Matt Cardona returned to WWE earlier this year with a lot of hype and strong fan support around his comeback. But only a few months into his SmackDown run, many fans are already unhappy with how WWE is booking him, especially after another loss on the May 8, 2026, episode of SmackDown.
Cardona faced Ricky Saints in a singles match. It started with both men trading counters. Cardona answered with a big lariat and controlled parts of the match using strikes and corner offense. Saints later slowed things down and regained control with quick attacks and boots in the corner.
Cardona fought back with a flapjack and corner lariat before going for the Broski Boot. Saints avoided it at first, but Cardona finally landed it. He kept the pressure on with several close near falls, including attempts at the Killswitch and Rough Ryder, but Saints somehow stayed alive.
Cardona went for another Rough Ryder attempt but was unsuccessful. The ending came when Saints countered with a springboard tornado DDT before hitting the Roshambo to score the pinfall victory.
Fans upset over Matt Cardona’s WWE booking following SmackDown loss
While the match was decent enough, Cardona’s loss became a topic of discussion online. Many fans criticized WWE for how Cardona has been used since returning.
One fan pointed out that Cardona is 0-6 on SmackDown since his first win against Kit Wilson.
Another fan questioned WWE’s plans for him. Others compared the current run to his old stint as Zack Ryder.
Another frustrated fan wrote that WWE brought him back just to be a jobber again.
A lot of fans feel Cardona deserves better after rebuilding his character and reputation outside WWE over the past few years.
Meanwhile, Cardona recently spoke about the losing streak on X. He admitted that he has lost more than he has won since coming back. However, he reiterated that losing has always been part of his story. According to him, the big wins feel more important because of the struggles that come before them. He also said that he is “not finished” yet.
Read More: WWE Recreates Iconic Past Moments With Gingerbread Man for SmackDown Funeral
