Joe Hendry's WWE Rise and TNA Title Defense

Joe Hendry, the reigning TNA World Champion, became the first non-WWE world champion to compete at WrestleMania 41, facing Randy Orton in a match reportedly supported by Orton himself due to Hendry's rising popularity. Following his WrestleMania appearance, Hendry has regularly appeared on WWE NXT and is set to defend his TNA title against Trick Williams at NXT Battleground, marking the first defense of a non-WWE championship at a WWE premium live event. Backstage reports suggest that WWE officials are highly impressed with Hendry's creativity and fan appeal, with strong expectations that he will sign with WWE after his TNA contract expires later this year or in early 2025. Hendry's professionalism and viral popularity have made him a leading figure in the industry, earning recognition from both WWE talent and management. His cross-promotional matches and NXT storyline have reinforced his status as an industry trailblazer. The wrestling world is closely watching to see if Hendry's potential WWE move will set new precedents for cross-promotional collaboration.