Scrapped WWE Main Roster Plans For Joe Hendry Revealed

Joe Hendry hasn't appeared on the WWE main roster outside of a cameo in the 2025 Men's Royal Rumble Match, but there were originally plans for Hendry to do more on Raw or SmackDown.

According to Fightful Select, there was a pitch for the TNA World Champion to appear on Monday Night Raw earlier this year, but then-TNA Executive Producer Ariel Shnerer, who was effectively head of TNA creative, didn't like the plan. The creative would have likely seen Hendry lose on WWE Raw and it may have been the catalyst for a feud with The Miz.

Shnerer's dislike of the creative was reportedly a contributing factor to WWE souring on the former TNA executive producer. There was also another situation where WWE NXT talents asked Shnerer not to be in their locker room as they believed it should be limited to talent, as opposed to anything personal against him.

While the Joe Hendry Raw appearance was scrapped, Ethan Page's current creative in TNA is said to be similar to what was planned for Hendry. Page is scheduled to challenge for the TNA World Title at Rebellion.

Joe Hendry made several appearances on WWE NXT in 2024 as part of TNA's working relationship with the brand. The partnership formalised in early 2025 is reportedly a three-year arrangement.

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