Amid his current run of success and belt-collecting as “The Indy God,” Cardona clarified that a showdown with Edge would have to be a bit different these days that it might have been when previously imagined.

“Edge vs. Matt Cardona, not Edge vs. Zack Ryder,” Cardona clarified. “Zack Ryder’s f***ing dead.”

Cardona and De Lander recently “killed off” their former WWE personas, Ryder and “WWE NXT’s” Persia Pirotta, in a viral clip that mimicked Vince McMahon’s 2007 limo explosion, and once again referenced the characters in a follow-up featuring Cardona as “The Rydertaker.” Leaning into the reality of their previous relationship, Cardona credited Edge with giving him an opportunity early on, much like he is doing currently for De Lander, as she partners with him on the independent circuit.

“I open the door for [De Lander] just like Edge opened the door for me,” he said. “Now I’m gonna shut it in his f***ing face and reboot [him] right to Hell. I would absolutely love that.”

If you use any quotes from this article, please credit Notsam Wrestling with a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.