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John Cena unexpectedly name-dropped a top AEW talent on the latest edition of WWE SmackDown. Fans are still buzzing over the star in question, Claudio Castagnoli, being mentioned on the Stamford-based company's programming.
The reigning Undisputed WWE Champion battled Ron "R-Truth" Killings in the main event of this week's edition of Friday Night SmackDown. He lost the non-title match via disqualification after clobbering Truth with the championship belt. Cena ended up trading blows with CM Punk after the latter's arrival. He eventually laid out The Best in The World with his belt before putting the latter through a table in the ring.
Afterwards, The Last Real Champion delivered a scathing promo on Punk, mirroring the Chicago native's iconic "pipebomb" from 2011, accusing The Voice of The Voiceless of hypocrisy ahead of their upcoming title match at WWE Night of Champions in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. During his address, Cena alluded to three former WWE names, who are currently performing elsewhere: TNA's Nic Nemeth, AEW's Claudio Castagnoli, and "The Indy King" Matt Cardona.
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Wrestling fans quickly flocked to X to share their reactions to John Cena name-dropping The Swiss Superman on WWE television. While some users argued that the legend ought to have mentioned AEW "EVPs" The Young Bucks and Jack Perry to hint at their controversial history with CM Punk, others expressed their amusement at The Unseen 17 shouting out Claudio despite the 44-year-old being signed to the Jacksonville-based company. One fan even referenced John's coffee group chat with Castagnoli and Seth Rollins in relation to the promo.
"Really want Claudio to shout out Cena next Dynamite," a fan wrote.
"Wonder how many [All Elite Wrestling] fans will come out and say they love Cena, lol," a user speculated.
"When he mentioned Claudio, man [crying face emoji]," a fan posted.
"Cena said hi to his coffee group text buddy, Claudio!!" another fan posted.
The Swiss Cyborg is currently aligned with AEW World Champion Jon Moxley as a member of The Death Riders.
Claudio Castagnoli was withdrawn from a recent AEW TV special
Even though he was supposed to team up with his stablemates Jon Moxley and Wheeler Yuta alongside The Young Bucks, Claudio Castagnoli was surprisingly pulled out of the 10-person tag bout he was scheduled for this week at AEW Grand Slam Mexico.
The One True King's Emissary of Violence was replaced in the match by The Beast Mortos as the heel alliance took on Swerve Strickland, Will Ospreay, and The Opps. The matchup ended in favor of The EVPs and The Death Riders, as Moxley secured the win for his team by pinning Swerve.
