John Cena recently ignited buzz on WWE programming by delivering a pointed message during his buildup to Night of Champions, causing an unexpected reaction from former WWE talent Matt Cardona. This reference sparked attention as Cena called out several wrestlers by name, including Cardona, marking a rare tribute on live television.
John Cena Responds to CM Punk with a Throwback Reference
Before his WWE Championship match against CM Punk at Night of Champions, John Cena revisited a moment from 2011, when Punk famously aired his grievances with the company in a now-iconic “pipe bomb” promo. This time, Cena took a chance to address Punk directly while acknowledging several former WWE stars who had connections with both men.
While Punk had once named Colt Cabana during his tirade, Cena chose to mention Nic Nemeth (better known as Dolph Ziggler), Matt Cardona, and Claudio Castagnoli (now known as Cesaro in WWE), which caught the attention of fans and those named alike. Among those called out, Matt Cardona was particularly enthusiastic about the shout-out.
Matt Cardona Embraces John Cena’s Unexpected Shout-Out
In an interview with Sports Illustrated, Cardona expressed excitement about Cena’s mention and explained how he planned to capitalize on the moment. His response combined humor and gratitude, revealing a keen sense of opportunity.
Matt Cardona’s gonna milk this for all its worth. I have a t-shirt right now, ‘Hey Matt Cardona’, right away…that weekend at GCW the turnbuckle I said ‘Hey, John Cena.” Got that clip going viral on the internet. I’m all about milking any moment I can till there’s no milk left. I had no idea that was coming, no idea why he did it, I certainly appreciate it. John I consider a friend, so maybe he was throwing me a bone.
—Matt Cardona, Former WWE Star
Cardona joked about immediately creating merchandise to celebrate the mention and even replicated the greeting during a GCW event, which quickly gained viral attention. Despite uncertainty about Cena’s exact intentions, Cardona appreciated the nod and viewed it as a friendly gesture.
Speculation on Cena’s Choice of Names and Cardona’s Indifference
Some fans theorized that Cena’s selection of names during the promo was deliberate. Observers noted a possible connection between Claudio Castagnoli’s initials and Colt Cabana’s, while Matt Cardona and Nic Nemeth shared first names with Matt and Nick Jackson—members of The Young Bucks—who had a well-documented backstage confrontation with Punk in AEW. Nonetheless, Cardona dismissed these speculations as irrelevant to his reaction.
I don’t care, he said my name. And I milked it. I don’t care what the reason is.
—Matt Cardona, Former WWE Star
This statement underlined Cardona’s complete focus on enjoying the recognition rather than questioning Cena’s motivations, showing his readiness to make the most of the moment.
Ongoing WWE Developments Highlight a Busy Wrestling Landscape
John Cena’s pipe bomb reference serves as a key highlight amid other notable WWE news. The company has announced a WWE NXT premium live event scheduled to coincide with a major upcoming AEW pay-per-view, fueling continuing competition between the promotions.
In addition, WWE recently unveiled a new championship specifically for Roman Reigns, emphasizing his dominant presence in the company. Meanwhile, injury reports about Seth Rollins have caused some confusion, with conflicting updates affecting his appearance on WWE Raw.
Fans also eagerly await next steps for Roman Reigns following his WWE return, with veteran Rikishi offering a succinct and enthusiastic reaction. The New Day faction is adjusting after Big E’s departure, potentially welcoming a new member to fill the void.
Outside of WWE, Tony Khan compared wrestling legend Sting to a famous Hollywood icon, highlighting Sting’s cultural impact. Meanwhile, Candice Michelle’s spotlight was briefly revived due to a name mix-up by commentator Michael Cole at WWE Evolution 2. Separately, Cody Rhodes further cemented his crossover appeal by presenting a championship belt to the winner of baseball’s Home Run Derby.
Impact and Future Implications of Cena’s WWE Pipe Bomb Mention
John Cena’s decision to call out Matt Cardona and others resonates beyond a simple shout-out, demonstrating the enduring connections between past and present WWE talents. Cardona’s enthusiastic response reflects how such moments can revitalize interest and create memorable exchanges even years after a wrestler’s departure.
This interaction also underscores the complex relationships and storylines that continue to intertwine WWE and AEW narratives, particularly with CM Punk’s ongoing rivalries. As WWE continues to respond creatively during its events and AEW intensifies competition, fans can expect more layered references and surprises going forward.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What is John Cena diagnosed with?
A. Wrestling star John Cena was found to have skin cancer. Doctors discovered melanoma on his chest and back about a year apart. Cena explained to USA Today that this news made him rethink his life views. He encourages men to pay more attention to skin care.
Q. What is John Cena’s rare disease?
A. John Cena, who has won the WWE Championship 17 times, admitted he had hair transplant surgery. Fans had teased him about his thinning hair for years. On The Pat McAfee Show, Cena mentioned that public comments pushed him to fix his “genetic problem.”
