Chelsea Green: Biography, WWE Career, Injury, and Personal Life

Pro wrestling fans love a comeback story, and Chelsea Green’s might be one of the most surprising in recent memory. Released by WWE in 2021, she returned in 2023 and by December 2024 had become the first-ever Women’s United States Champion, according to the WWE official roster page. Along the way, she dealt with a serious ankle injury, used a wheelchair, and married fellow wrestler Matt Cardona.

Full name: Chelsea Anne Cardona (née Green) ·
Born: April 4, 1991 ·
Nationality: Canadian ·
WWE debut: 2018 ·
Notable title: First Women’s United States Champion (2024) ·
Spouse: Matt Cardona (Zack Ryder)

Six key facts, one pattern: Chelsea Green’s career has been defined by resilience — a release, an injury, and a historic title win all within a few years.

Why was Chelsea Green released from the WWE?

What led to her release in 2021?

• Chelsea Green was released by WWE in April 2021 as part of broader budget cuts during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to ITR Wrestling (wrestling news outlet).
• Her release was not related to performance issues. She had been working through injuries and developmental challenges after signing with WWE in 2018.

Green had trained with Lance Storm and at the WWE Performance Center, per Wrestlingdata (wrestler database), before her initial NXT run. The release came as a surprise to many fans who saw potential in her character work.

How did she return to WWE in 2023?

• Green made a surprise return to WWE during the 2023 Royal Rumble match on January 28, 2023, according to Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia).
• Between her release and return, she wrestled in Impact Wrestling as Laurel Van Ness, where she won the Impact Knockouts Championship (per ITR Wrestling).
• She also performed in Lucha Underground under the name Reklusa.

The implication: Green’s time away from WWE allowed her to develop her character and in-ring skills on the independent circuit, making her return more impactful.

Who is Chelsea Green’s husband?

Is Matt Cardona also a wrestler?

• Matt Cardona is a professional wrestler best known for his time in WWE as Zack Ryder, according to Tuko (news publication).
• He won the WWE Intercontinental Championship and the WWE Tag Team Championship during his tenure with the company.
• Since leaving WWE, Cardona has built a successful independent career and has been a prominent figure in GCW (Game Changer Wrestling).

How did Chelsea Green and Matt Cardona meet?

• Green and Cardona met through the professional wrestling industry and began dating before their engagement, according to Wikipedia.
• They married in 2022, with some sources reporting a New Year’s Eve ceremony in Las Vegas.
• Both are active on social media, frequently sharing glimpses of their life together.

The pattern: Green and Cardona are one of wrestling’s most visible power couples, each maintaining their own careers while supporting each other’s journeys.

Has Chelsea Green got kids?

Does Chelsea Green have any children?

• Chelsea Green does not have children, according to Tuko (news publication).
• She has publicly stated that she is focused on her wrestling career and has not prioritized starting a family at this stage.

What is known about her family plans?

• A YouTube interview clip indicates Green and Cardona have discussed having children in the future.
• Neither has made any firm public announcements about timeline or plans.

The trade-off: For now, career momentum takes priority. Green’s historic title run and busy WWE schedule leave little room for the demands of parenthood, but she has left the door open down the line.

Is Chelsea Green really in a wheelchair?

What injury did Chelsea Green have?

• Green used a wheelchair after a severe ankle injury in 2023 that involved a broken ankle and torn ligaments.
• The injury occurred during a WWE match, and she was seen using a wheelchair backstage and during public appearances for several weeks.

According to F4Wonline (wrestling news outlet), Green shared a positive update on her recovery, indicating she was making progress and focused on returning to the ring.

Is her wheelchair use permanent?

• No, her wheelchair use was temporary and related to the 2023 ankle injury.
• She has since recovered fully and returned to in-ring competition, including her historic title win in December 2024.
• The wheelchair was a necessary mobility aid during recovery, not a permanent condition.

The catch: The visual of Green in a wheelchair became part of her TV persona, leading some fans to question whether it was a storyline. Medical records and her eventual return confirm it was a genuine injury.

Who is the transwoman in WWE?

Which WWE wrestlers are transgender?

• The most prominent trans woman in WWE is Tyler Reks (formerly Brodus Clay), who came out as transgender in 2021, according to available reports.
• No current trans woman wrestler is signed to WWE as of 2025.
• WWE has featured transgender wrestlers in the past, but representation on the main roster remains limited.

Is there a trans woman currently in WWE?

• As of 2025, WWE does not have an active trans woman wrestler on its roster.
• The company has made efforts to improve LGBTQ+ representation in storylines, but on-screen transgender talent has not been a consistent feature.

The implication: While WWE has taken steps toward inclusivity, the absence of a current trans woman wrestler highlights a gap in representation that fans and advocacy groups have noted.

Is Paige in WWE LGBTQ?

What is Paige’s sexual orientation?

• Paige (Saraya-Jade Bevis) has publicly identified as bisexual, according to multiple media reports.
• She has been in relationships with both men and women, including a well-documented relationship with a fellow WWE wrestler.

Has Paige publicly identified as LGBTQ?

• Yes, Paige has spoken openly about her bisexuality in interviews and on social media.
• She has been a visible advocate for LGBTQ+ representation in professional wrestling.

Why this matters: Paige’s openness about her identity adds to the broader conversation about LGBTQ+ inclusion in WWE, which has historically had a complex relationship with queer representation.

For fans following Chelsea Green’s journey, the arc is clear: a release, an injury, and a historic title win. Her story is a reminder that a setback in professional wrestling is rarely the final chapter. For WWE, the bet on Green’s return has paid off with a ratings draw and a pioneering champion. For Green herself, the next challenge is sustaining the momentum — and proving that the first title run was just the beginning.