John Cena congratulates Matt Cardona after his official WWE comeback during the January 2 episode of SmackDown, offering a public display of support for Cardona and his wife, Chelsea Green. This acknowledgment came just as both Cardona and Green kicked off 2026 as members of the WWE roster, underscoring their perseverance and dedication.
Acknowledging Cardona and Green’s Determination
Throughout his own final year in WWE, Cena previously expressed appreciation for Cardona. Notably, Cena gave Cardona a nod during the high-profile Pipe Bomb promo directed at CM Punk back in June. He also paid tribute to Cardona across social media platforms after his first NXT match and his showing in the Last Time is Now Tournament in November. These gestures have bolstered Cardona’s profile as he navigated his way back to WWE.
With Cardona’s official return now confirmed, Cena highlighted the value of persistence and shared in Green’s success as well. Both stars are now embraced by the WWE community at the start of the new year, signaling a fresh chapter for their careers. Cena showed additional support by sharing images of Cardona’s entrance during his return on Instagram, amplifying the excitement within the wrestling community.
Direct Quote from John Cena Celebrates Effort and Luck
“Persistence and preparation tend to help manufacture luck. I couldn’t be more proud of both @TheMattCardona and @ImChelseaGreen They stand as a tremendous example of making luck through effort. Welcome home Matt.☕️🍸 https://t.co/UYwRdgyIKz
— John Cena (@JohnCena) January 3, 2026”
Widespread Support from the Wrestling Community
Cardona’s return has sparked an outpouring of positive messages from across the industry. Fellow wrestlers from TNA Wrestling, including Brian Myers and Steph De Lander, publicly shared their excitement and support. In addition, WWE’s Chief Content Officer, Triple H, posted his own congratulatory remarks for Cardona, widely known as “The Complete,” following his SmackDown match, demonstrating Cardona’s influence and respect among colleagues across multiple organizations.
What This Means for Cardona, Green, and WWE
As Matt Cardona and Chelsea Green step into 2026 on WWE’s roster, their story highlights the impact of resilience and the rewards of unwavering effort. Cena’s recognition, echoed by major names like Triple H and key figures from TNA Wrestling, underscores both Cardona’s enduring popularity and the expectation that his journey will inspire others aspiring to reach success in wrestling. The focus on determination, as emphasized by Cena and the wrestling community, sets an optimistic tone for Cardona’s next chapter with WWE.
Persistence and preparation tend to help manufacture luck. I couldn’t be more proud of both @TheMattCardona and @ImChelseaGreen They stand as a tremendous example of making luck through effort. Welcome home Matt.☕️🍸 https://t.co/UYwRdgyIKz
— John Cena (@JohnCena) January 3, 2026
