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Merrick native, Calhoun alum Zack Ryder is WWE favorite

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Ryder was featured prominently at the WWE’s last show at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on Memorial Day, with the cast of “Entourage” cheering him on in his U.S. championship match against the world-renowned John Cena, second from right.
Ryder was featured prominently at the WWE’s last show at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on Memorial Day, with the cast of “Entourage” cheering him on in his U.S. championship match against the world-renowned John Cena, second from right.
Courtesy WWE, Inc.

“We want Ryder!”

“Woo, woo, woo!”

Fans filing into Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum chanted loudly more than an hour before filming of the World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.’s flagship live television show, WWE RAW, began on Memorial Day. It would be the last time that the “Old Barn” hosted WWE RAW before its closure –– and Long Islanders made it clear that they wanted to see their local favorite, Merrick native Zack Ryder, wrestle that night.

Ryder, whose real name is Matt Cardona, heard the chants from backstage. While he felt the pressure to perform well for the fans, he remained extremely grateful to everyone who has supported him throughout his professional wrestling career.

“It’s amazing when they want you out there and want you to succeed,” said Ryder, who now lives in Long Beach. “To go through that curtain and hear the place go nuts … you can’t top that, you really can’t.”

Ryder’s WWE journey began on Long Island, which became a part of his identity as a WWE superstar. The self-proclaimed Long Island Iced-Z’s catchphrases and character traits –– inspired by his personal life and friends –– won the adoration of not only local folks, but also fans around the world over the past decade.

Living the dream

Wrestling was a huge part of Ryder’s youth, as his family attended WWE shows throughout his childhood. Some children grow out of their love for professional wrestling, but Ryder only became more obsessed with it in his teenage years.

“One time, I slept in a tent outside of the coliseum to get front-row tickets to RAW with my friends,” he said. “It’s a show that has so many different elements: athleticism, excitement, drama, mystery… It’s like an action movie. I think it’s the best form of entertainment out there.”

When Ryder was a Calhoun High School student, he knew he wanted to work for WWE. Even though he only weighed 160 pounds when he graduated in 2003, and his friends and mother had doubts that he could land a job with the world’s largest wrestling promotion, Ryder enrolled in the Deer Park-based New York Wrestling Connection’s training academy in 2004.

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