A new merchandise release has followed an unexpected moment from last week’s SmackDown, where John Cena referenced several former WWE stars, including Matt Cardona, during a major segment, bringing new attention to the John Cena SmackDown merchandise release. The move comes just ahead of WWE’s Night of Champions, further linking Cardona’s brand to ongoing WWE storylines.
John Cena References Former WWE Stars During Major Promo
During the most recent episode of SmackDown, John Cena delivered a promo in the style of CM Punk’s iconic “pipebomb” speech, which originally gave recognition to Colt Cabana. Cena adopted the approach, but instead chose to mention Claudio Castagnoli (formerly known as Cesaro), Nic Nemeth (also known as Dolph Ziggler), and Matt Cardona (previously Zack Ryder). These name-drops sparked widespread interest and reactions across wrestling communities.
Matt Cardona Responds and Launches ‘Hey, Matt Cardona’ Merchandise
Following John Cena’s shoutout on live television, Matt Cardona acknowledged the moment at his latest appearance for Game Changer Wrestling (GCW), where he gave Cena a public nod of appreciation. Cardona then took to social media to announce the release of new merchandise inspired directly by the mention. The featured product is a t-shirt with the slogan “Hey, Matt Cardona,” referencing the exact words used by Cena on SmackDown.
AFTER THIS, I AM OFFICIALLY DONE MILKING THE MOMENT @johncena SAID HEY TO ME ON #SMACKDOWN…
Buy the shirt on @PWTees!https://t.co/dcmNCIJKfa pic.twitter.com/AcrNYrSYKF
— Matt Cardona (@TheMattCardona) June 23, 2025
Night of Champions Builds Anticipation
The timing of Cardona’s merchandise release coincides with the approaching WWE Night of Champions event, where John Cena is set to clash with CM Punk for the WWE Championship. This event, scheduled for Saturday, has already drawn significant attention due to the high-profile participants and the history between Cena and Punk. The ongoing rivalry, combined with references to notable wrestling figures, adds to the intrigue surrounding the championship match.
Wider Wrestling Context
The new John Cena SmackDown merchandise release not only highlights Cardona’s marketing acumen but also signals the lasting influence that former WWE talent maintains within the wrestling landscape. Figures such as Nic Nemeth, Claudio Castagnoli, and Matt Cardona find their legacies reignited when referenced on major platforms, sometimes resulting in entrepreneurial opportunities outside WWE. These intersections between mainstream wrestling events and independent promotions underscore the interconnectedness of the wrestling world.
As anticipation builds for Night of Champions and interest grows in new wrestling merchandise, fans and insiders alike will continue to monitor the impact of promos like Cena’s—including how they shape public perception and open up fresh avenues for veteran wrestlers such as Matt Cardona.
