Orlando, Florida – Joe Hendry made a surprise appearance at WrestleMania 41, entering as the unexpected opponent for Randy Orton after Kevin Owens had to withdraw from the event due to a neck injury. Sources revealed that WWE considered Hendry as a replacement for Owens as soon as his absence was confirmed, and the TNA World Champion was not even listed on any official schedules for the event.
Despite being under contract with TNA, Hendry’s contract is set to expire within the next year, with reports suggesting that WWE has shown interest in the talented wrestler. Surprisingly, TNA officials seemed to be supportive of Hendry’s appearance at the WWE event, despite his loss to Orton.
Earlier in the year, there were plans for Hendry to engage in a program with The Miz during a WWE show in Glasgow, but TNA authorities vetoed the idea, fearing a potential loss for Hendry. This decision reportedly contributed to the release of Ariel Shnerer, who was said to have opposed Hendry’s involvement in the WWE event.
The relationship between TNA and WWE has led to Hendry making appearances on “WWE NXT” and even challenging for the NXT Championship at a previous event. In a reciprocal partnership, WWE stars like Wes Lee and Tatum Paxley have also appeared on TNA programming, showcasing the collaboration between the two wrestling organizations.
Overall, Hendry’s surprise appearance at WrestleMania 41 and his involvement in both TNA and WWE events highlight the evolving landscape of professional wrestling, where partnerships and unexpected matchups are becoming more common. As Hendry’s contract situation unfolds, it will be intriguing to see if WWE continues to show interest in the TNA World Champion and if more cross-promotional opportunities arise in the future.