NEWYou can now listen to Pakinomist articles!
Matt Cardona knows a thing or two about the independent pro wrestling scene.
Following his release from WWE in April 2020, Cardona rebranded himself as the “Indy God” after spending years as Zack Ryder. He spent years cultivating his new look through several independent promotions and top companies in the United States whose names are not WWE or AEW.
COMPLETE PRO WRESTLING COVERAGE ON Pakinomist DIGITAL
Matt Cardona enters the arena before competing against Trick Williams (not pictured) during SmackDown at the SAP Center on April 10, 2026 in San Jose, California. (Eakin Howard/Getty Images)
There are several professional wrestlers in India currently who are also finding success with their own branding and marketing. Cardona mentioned a few in a recent interview with Pakinomist Digital when asked who he thought was the new “Indy God.”
“Who is the ‘Indy God?’ Oh, I don’t know if anyone is the ‘Indy God’. But there are people who have definitely stepped up. For example Shotzi who was in WWE at one point. When she left I think she copied the Matt Cardona formula and well with her and we had some incredible matches together. She is someone who cares. I think effort is very, very important, not only in independent wrestling, but professional wrestling in general. If you don’t do what you can to succeed, e.g. if you don’t treat yourself like a big deal, i don’t think anyone else will. I would definitely put Shotzi on that list.
“Two others to watch on the independents – Richard Holliday. He’s another one who’s always on social media. He’s always trying to force himself down your throat like I did when I was away. When you’re not in WWE, you can’t take a day off from being on your phone. Like, Chelsea (Green), would always yell at me, ‘you’re always on social media.’ I said, honey, if you don’t want to be on your phone, WWE will write about you, WWE Shop will write about you, USA Network will write about you, ESPN, Netflix. If I don’t write about myself, nobody will write about me. So, Richard Holliday, he takes it.
Ben Bishop hypes Richard Holliday for Awesome Championship Wrestling. (Jay Vogel)
Ben Bishop offers support to Richard Holliday at Awesome Championship Wrestling. (Jay Vogel)
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON Pakinomist
“Also, Ben Bishop, another guy. So I’d say Shotzi, Ben Bishop and Richard Holliday, the three to watch out for.”
Currently, Shotzi is the Women’s Major League Wrestling World Champion and has appeared in several different promotions around the world.
Holliday and Bishop have also built massive followings on social media, which has helped raise their profiles in the sport.
Major League Wrestling star Shotzi wears his battle hat to the ring. (MLW)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE Pakinomist APP
Cardona shared some advice for those trying to follow his path.
“It’s funny because guys and gals in the self-employed, they always asked me for advice. The answer was simple – don’t quit,” he said. “Everybody has a different path. Everybody 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. It’s that simple.”
