Joe Hendry made a surprise appearance at WrestleMania 41, challenging Randy Orton in a short but impactful match. Despite losing, the TNA Heavyweight Champion earned strong crowd reactions.
EC3 broke down the bout on Wrestling Outlaws, praising its structure for maximizing Hendry’s exposure. He emphasized how the match highlighted Hendry’s charisma while elevating Orton.
‘It was a short match, but exactly what it should’ve been,’ EC3 said. ‘You can get over in a loss just as much as a win—sometimes more.’ The segment balanced fan engagement with storyline progression.
Hendry’s post-WrestleMania momentum continued with NXT appearances, confronting Oba Femi and Trick Williams. His crossover success hints at future WWE opportunities.
The match’s brevity allowed Hendry’s entrance and crowd connection to shine. EC3 noted this approach effectively introduced him to WWE audiences without overshadowing Orton’s ongoing arc.
WWE’s booking strategically used Hendry to diversify WrestleMania’s flow. His performance, though unsuccessful, reinforced his star power ahead of potential cross-promotional feuds.
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