Cody Rhodes recently commented that Matt Cardona is one of the toughest wrestlers he’s ever encountered, a fact that Cardona’s wife, Chelsea Green, only discovered well into their relationship. Rhodes mentioned this during an episode of What Do You Wanna Talk About, tracing the source of Cardona’s stiffness back to his training in Deep South Wrestling, a WWE developmental territory known for its hard-hitting style. He explained, “Cardona is one of the stiffest wrestlers of all time, and it’s from his Deep South training, where that was a thing—lay it in, but not just lay it in, just hit him.”
What Rhodes found particularly amusing was that Green was initially unaware of how hard Cardona actually worked in the ring. He said, “I think Chelsea didn’t know till deep into their relationship. She worked him maybe to get ready for something but was genuinely shocked—like, what are we doing?” Rhodes affectionately referred to Cardona as a “potato factory,” a wrestling term for someone who consistently delivers real, hard strikes rather than pulling punches. While typically a criticism, Rhodes delivered it with fondness and acknowledged Cardona’s sensitivity despite his stiff style.
Cardona has embraced this reputation throughout his career, which began in WWE’s developmental system in 2007 and contributed to the credibility of his Zack Ryder character, where his genuine in-ring toughness contrasted with the comedic presentation. Rhodes also praised Green’s striking abilities during the same conversation.
Though being labeled “stiff” often implies a wrestler can be risky to work with, Rhodes’ story highlights that Cardona’s toughness comes from a place of professionalism, having worked alongside him for over two decades without ever being unsafe. Deep South Wrestling, run by Bill DeMott during the mid-2000s in Georgia, was known for its brutal training approach, and Cardona’s style was shaped there before he made his main roster debut.
Both Rhodes and Cardona grew up in that era and have worked together in WWE, AEW, and on the independent scene—including a series of matches after they were released from WWE in 2020, with Rhodes previously praising Cardona’s rebuilt career on the indies. Recently, Cardona re-signed with WWE on the January 2 episode of SmackDown but suffered a torn triceps in a match taped before SmackDown in Toronto. He had surgery on August 25 and has expressed his determination to return ahead of schedule with plans to pursue the WWE Championship. Now 41, he has yet to settle into a clear role since his return.
Meanwhile, Chelsea Green is currently the Interim WWE Women’s Champion, having won the title in a ladder match at SummerSlam. She broke an orbital bone shortly after but has continued to defend the championship, most recently against Nia Jax on the September 11 SmackDown in Mexico City.
Though Deep South Wrestling closed in 2007, its harsh training methods remain a notable part of wrestling history, with several alumni speaking out about the rigorous environment. Rhodes’ comments emphasize that Cardona’s hard-hitting approach was a product of that era and instruction, rather than something innate.
Fan Take: This insight into Cardona’s wrestling style sheds light on the tough, rugged foundation many wrestlers of his generation share, which contrasts with today’s more performance-driven approach. Understanding the grit behind these performers helps fans appreciate the physical sacrifices and training philosophies that have shaped modern wrestling and hint at the resilience needed to thrive in the sport’s evolving landscape.
Source: wrestlingnews.co
