WWE has removed a newly released Trick Williams shirt from WWE Shop following significant criticism of its design on social media.
The merchandise arrived on Monday and was built around Williams’ established “Lemon Pepper Steppers” branding. The design incorporated graphics of lemon pepper wings around an image of Williams’ shoe. Fans quickly raised objections online, with many arguing that the imagery carried racist undertones. By Tuesday morning, the shirt was no longer available through WWE Shop.
Williams has not publicly addressed the shirt’s removal as of this writing. WWE has also not issued a public statement explaining the decision or indicating whether the design will be revised and re-released at a later date.
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Design Pulled Shortly After Its Release
The short lifespan of the shirt underscores how quickly the response developed after the product hit the online store. The Lemon Pepper Steppers phrase has been a key part of Williams’ presentation, and the new item was intended to expand on that recognizable branding. However, the addition of chicken-wing imagery became the central focus of the conversation rather than the champion’s catchphrase or in-ring accomplishments.
For more background on this topic, read Rey Mysterio Reflects on His AAA Journey Coming Full Circle as General Manager.
Fans discussing the item online criticized the decision to pair the food imagery with Williams’ likeness and footwear. The criticism was widespread enough that WWE pulled the listing within roughly a day of its launch.
Removing the item avoids keeping the contested design in circulation, but it does not answer the remaining questions surrounding how the shirt was approved, whether Williams had input into the final graphic, or if WWE intends to replace it with different merchandise. There is currently no indication that another version is imminent.
Williams’ Merchandise Moment Comes During a Major Career Run
The development arrives at a particularly important time for Williams on WWE television. He is the reigning United States Champion and has recently secured a place in the upcoming Money In The Bank ladder match, which will be his first appearance in one of WWE’s signature annual contests.
On the September 18 episode of WWE SmackDown, Williams won a Money In The Bank qualifying match over Randy Orton and Dragon Lee. The victory placed him among the early entrants in next month’s ladder match and gave the United States Champion another major platform as his momentum continues to build.
Bron Breakker, Je’Von Evans and Penta have also qualified for Money In The Bank. With Williams included, four of the six spots have been filled, leaving two places still open for the match.
For Williams, qualifying is another milestone in a year that has already featured major championship highs and setbacks. He initially captured the United States Championship at WrestleMania 42 in April. His first reign later ended at SummerSlam, where Baron Corbin defeated him for the title.
Williams ultimately worked his way back into contention earlier this month. After his friend Lil Yachty lasted five minutes in the ring with Corbin, known as “The Nomad,” Williams earned a championship opportunity. He then defeated Corbin at Sunday Night’s Main Event to reclaim the United States title.
The return to the top of the division has positioned Williams as one of the prominent figures on SmackDown. It also makes the merchandise controversy an unwanted distraction at a point when WWE has been spotlighting both his title reign and his entry into the Money In The Bank field.
A Past WWE Merchandise Controversy Provides Context
The situation has drawn comparisons to a 2019 controversy involving Jordan Myles, the wrestler also known as ACH. During his time with WWE, Myles publicly condemned a shirt created for him that he believed used racially offensive imagery. He expressed anger over the merchandise and said that he had offered alternative ideas for the apparel design.
Myles’ objections became a major issue at the time, with the design facing broad criticism from fans and wrestlers. He departed WWE soon after publicly airing his frustrations.
The circumstances surrounding Williams’ shirt are not identical, and Williams has not made a statement about the current situation. Still, the earlier episode remains a notable point of reference whenever WWE faces questions about merchandise imagery involving Black performers. In both instances, the concerns centered on whether a visual concept crossed a line that should have been recognized before the item reached the public.
Merchandise is an important extension of a wrestler’s identity. It is not merely a retail product; it can reinforce a character’s slogans, color schemes, entrance presentation and connection with supporters. When the visual execution is poorly received, it can create complications for the performer associated with the product even if they had no role in the design process.
Questions Remain Over a Replacement Design
There has been no confirmation that WWE will replace the removed shirt with a revised Lemon Pepper Steppers design. The phrase itself has become closely tied to Williams, so WWE has clear options to continue using the branding without the imagery that prompted the backlash.
Williams has already shown that his appeal extends well beyond a single slogan or product. His confidence, charisma and continued ascent from NXT to the main roster have made him a featured champion. His recent wins over high-level competition, including the Money In The Bank qualifier against Orton and Dragon Lee, further establish his standing.
That makes a quick, more carefully considered replacement a possibility, though no official plan has been announced. For now, fans looking for the shirt that debuted Monday will not find it on WWE Shop.
The immediate removal signals that WWE recognized the strength of the reaction and elected not to leave the item available while criticism continued. Yet the lack of comment from either the company or Williams leaves the matter unresolved publicly.
As Williams prepares for his first Money In The Bank ladder match next month, his attention on-screen will remain divided between the opportunity represented by the briefcase and the responsibilities of being United States Champion. Outside the ring, the pulled shirt serves as a reminder that presentation decisions can receive just as much scrutiny as the stories WWE tells on television.
At present, the key facts are straightforward: the Lemon Pepper Steppers shirt was released Monday, fans objected to the design’s use of lemon pepper wings surrounding Williams’ shoe, and WWE removed the product by Tuesday morning. Whether Williams chooses to address it, and whether a redesigned item follows, remains to be seen.
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Darryl Polo
Darryl Polo is a passionate wrestling fan covering WWE, AEW, TNA and beyond. He loves great rivalries, breakout stars and the moments that keep fans talking long after the bell. How we work.