On the January 2, 2026, edition of Friday Night SmackDown, Matt Cardona returned to WWE after nearly six years away. He got the win over Kit Wilson, making fans excited about his comeback. However, he wasn’t the most talked-about person in the match. Over the past few days, Wilson has gone viral. His theme, “Man Up,” has exploded on the Internet, creating a TikTok trend and more appreciation for his new character.
The theme is very catchy, and his Titantron gets people’s attention. The video shows him in various poses, showcasing the ways he embodies masculinity. It looked like he was going to flounder until Elton Prince’s return or until he got released. However, his new character has given him new life and gotten him over with the crowd. If things aren’t changed, it seems his popularity will only grow from here.
Wilson’s Theme and Titantron are Unique
In the era of Def Rebel, creativity has certainly given way to laziness. Repetitive guitar riffs and a simple name on a screen are standard for today’s wrestlers. Gone are the days of the catchy lyrical tune and wrestlers in different poses and in action in the ring. But Wilson got the latter treatment when he came out on Friday.
His theme has already been used on WWE Main Event, but this was his first SmackDown match since Halloween. This was many people’s first exposure to the catchy tune. The Titantron captures the essence of his new character. He’s trying to fight off toxic masculinity by portraying himself as his own kind of man. His theme music is very catchy with a poppy beat, instead of a heavy-metal-and-rock kind of song. The theme and titantron definitely make him stand out in a good way.
He’s Building Up His Character to Be Sympathetic
Ever since Prince got injured in May, he has embarked on a solo career. However, he hasn’t gotten a single win since then. That might qualify him as a jobber in most people’s minds. But WWE knows what they’re doing with his character. He’s certainly over with the crowd, as they yell “TOXIC” as he rails about the “Toxic Masculinity” in the locker room.
His theme and Titantron obviously are a big hit, with many fans created over the past weekend. When he does get that one win, his popularity will explode even more. A sympathetic character finally getting his first solo career win will be a cause for celebration. For Wilson, it will be the payoff for months of being beaten and ridiculed inside and outside the ring. If he’s popular now, a winning streak will definitely boost his stock on Friday nights.
This Change is Exactly What Wilson Needed
Injuries are, unfortunately, a huge part of wrestling. When someone in a tag team gets injured, there’s no telling what’s going to happen to the other person. They will either succeed on their own or get released after a few months. Things looked bad for Wilson a few months ago, but his prospects have turned around in recent weeks. His new character has gotten over with the crowd, as they love his charisma and attitude towards his fellow competitors.
The new theme and Titantron are very catchy and unique, boosting his popularity even more. So far, it looks like things are looking up for him. If he can finally get that win, there’s no telling what he’ll be able to do. That might be the start of a winning streak that leads to a Championship run. This resurgence is exactly what he needed to resurrect his WWE career.
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