Why Joe Hendry’s WWE Plans Were Abandoned

A new report has revealed why plans for a Joe Hendry appearance on Raw were dropped.

As the relationship between WWE and TNA has grown ever stronger, the exchange of talent between the two promotions has become almost seamless. TNA stars and NXT Superstars swapping places has quickly become the norm, but some fans feel there’s already been a missed opportunity.

One of the biggest beneficiaries of the exchange has been Joe Hendry. The Scottish star’s popularity hit a peak just as he began to make appearances in NXT and he’s since gone on to win the TNA World Championship.

Although Hendry appeared in the 2025 Royal Rumble some expected him to have a cameo on the main roster but such an appearance never happened. However, that doesn’t mean it wasn’t discussed.

Pitch Was Made For Joe Hendry On WWE Raw

As reported by Fightful Select, there was a pitch for Hendry to appear on Monday Night Raw, but Ariel Shnerner “didn’t agree with the creative” which would have likely seen Hendry lose. One idea put forward is that this would have been a catalyst for a feud with The Miz.

While that didn’t end up happening, WWE sent Ethan Page to TNA for what’s believed to be a very similar piece of creative.

This is also said to have been one of the reasons WWE ultimately soured on Ariel Shnerner. In September, an NXT talent requested that Schnerner not be in their locker room, not as a personal slight, but because they felt it should be limited to talent.

Ariel Shnerner left TNA Wrestling alongside Gail Kim and several others in March.

Meanwhile, Joe Hendry is set to appear at WWE World during WrestleMania week.