WrestleMania 41 shocked fans when TNA World Champion Joe Hendry appeared as Randy Ortons surprise opponent, and Orton made short work of him. With that said, the reason behind Hendry being picked for that spot has been revealed.
According to Cory Hays of PWN, several names were suggested for Randy Ortons open challenge at WrestleMania, but Orton personally chose Joe Hendry because hes a fan of Hendry and his work.
As reported earlier, WWE had already been planning Joe Hendrys surprise appearance at WrestleMania even before Kevin Owens announced his neck injury. The decision was already in motion, and many within TNA didnt find out for sure until Saturday, just hours before the match. Hendrys name was not listed on WWEs internal production sheets, helping keep the surprise a secret.
Even though Hendry is still under contract with TNA, its been confirmed that his deal will expire sometime within the next 12 months. He now has an agent, and WWE has shown ongoing interest in him. Theyve reportedly brought him in for various appearances and matches in the past.
This comes after Triple H has already confirmed that Joe Hendry will be making appearances at future WrestleMania events. Even though Joe Hendry lost quickly to Randy Orton at WrestleMania, his appearance boosted his profile in a big way. Fans are now excited to see whats next for him, whether he stays in TNA or eventually makes the move to WWE.
Do you think Joe Hendry should end up signing with WWE full-time once his TNA contract is up? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.
