Sharon saw right through it.
She called him out as a “gaslighter and sadist who revels in violence.” No hesitation. No second-guessing. She named his pathology with surgical precision, making it clear she’s NOT the vulnerable young woman he victimized three decades ago. This Sharon has survived too much, fought too many demons, and faced down too many monsters to fall for his games now.
Then she walked away, leaving her presumed-dead rapist rattled and off-balance for the first time in their twisted history.
Why Matt Clark Targeted Noah Newman
So why would Matt orchestrate a near-fatal accident for Noah Newman (Lucas Adams)? What’s the motive behind this nightmare?
According to spoilers and head writer Josh Griffith’s recent interviews, the answer is as twisted as you’d expect: Noah had an affair with Matt’s wife, Sienna Bacall (Tamara Braun).
That’s right. The son of Matt’s most hated enemies—Nick and Sharon—had a relationship with the woman Matt loves. And in Matt’s disturbed mind, that means they ALL have to pay. The entire Newman family needs to suffer because Noah “took” something from him.
The accident that left Noah in a coma wasn’t random. It wasn’t bad luck. It was calculated, cold-blooded attempted murder. Matt wanted Noah DEAD. What he didn’t count on? Noah surviving the crash and Sharon being smart enough to connect the dots.
Nick Newman Prepares for War
Nick Newman now knows the truth. Sharon informed him that Matt Clark is alive, and you can bet Nick is seeing red right now.
These two men have violent, brutal history. Matt didn’t just rape Sharon—he framed Nick for attempted murder in 1995 AND framed him for drug charges and murder in 2001. Nick spent time in PRISON because of Matt’s elaborate schemes. This isn’t just about protecting Sharon and Noah. This is deeply personal.
Spoilers indicate Nick is actively hunting down “Mitch” to confront him face-to-face. Given Nick’s protective instincts and his tendency to go too far when his family is threatened, this confrontation will almost certainly turn physical. Don’t be surprised if Nick ends up in legal trouble over whatever happens when these two finally go toe-to-toe.
The Woman Caught in the Middle
Here’s where things get even MORE complicated: Sienna Bacall (Tamara Braun).
Sienna is married to the sociopathic “Mitch,” but she’s in love with his target, Noah. Recent spoilers show her visiting Noah in his hospital room, continuing their “dangerous relationship” even after he nearly died. She’s telling him not to worry, trying to comfort him—all while her husband is the reason Noah was in that hospital bed in the first place.
Could this mean Sienna doesn’t know what Matt did? Is she completely in the dark about her husband’s murderous revenge plot? Or—and this is where it gets interesting—does she suspect something but is too afraid to confront Matt?
One thing’s for sure: Sienna is going to be forced to choose sides eventually. When the truth comes out (and in soap land, it ALWAYS comes out), she’ll have to decide between the man she married and the man she loves. My gut tells me she’ll be the key to Matt’s eventual exposure and downfall.
What’s Next for Sharon, Nick, and Matt?
Here’s where things get truly terrifying for the Newman family.
Head writer Josh Griffith has confirmed that the Los Angeles storyline is just “Act One.” Sharon and Nick will believe they’ve scared Matt off and successfully protected their family. They’ll return to Genoa City thinking the nightmare is over.
They’re wrong.
Matt Clark and “all his trouble” will follow them back to Genoa City. According to Griffith, this escalation “becomes a nightmare, not just for Nick and Sharon, but to the whole Newman family.” This isn’t a short-term stalker plot like the Cameron Kirsten situation last year. This is a full-blown, long-term war targeting the entire Newman dynasty.
Could this mean Matt will go after Victoria? Adam? Even Victor himself? Given Matt’s history of elaborate, patient scheming (he spent 24 YEARS building a new life under an alias), he’s clearly playing a long game. The question isn’t if he’ll strike again—it’s when and who else will he target.
Don’t be surprised if Matt’s revenge plot involves framing family members, manipulating business deals at Newman Enterprises, or even targeting other Newman grandchildren. This has all the makings of a sweeps-worthy disaster that could dominate storylines for MONTHS.
The Unanswered Question: How Did Matt Survive?
Here’s the million-dollar question that has fans scratching their heads: HOW is Matt Clark alive?
In November 2001, Matt was hospitalized after a car crash. In a final act of sadistic manipulation, he ripped out his own breathing tube to frame Nick for his murder. He died on-screen. Viewers SAW it happen. There was a death certificate, a funeral, EVERYTHING.
So how did he survive pulling out his own breathing tube? Was the death faked? Did he have an accomplice in the hospital who helped him stage the whole thing? Was there a lookalike or body double involved?
The show hasn’t explained this yet, and it’s the biggest narrative gap in the entire storyline. Fans are demanding answers, and the writers will need to provide a SOLID explanation for how Matt pulled off this resurrection. Given Roger Howarth’s soap opera pedigree (he’s played similar back-from-the-dead characters on General Hospital), the show is betting on his star power to smooth over any plot holes.
But let’s be honest—this is soap opera land. People come back from the dead more often than they change their clothes. At least this time, the casting is PERFECT and the emotional stakes are sky-high.