WWE Star Never Considered For WrestleMania Despite Speculation

Joe Hendry was always the plan for WWE.

At WrestleMania 41, Joe Hendry made a surprise appearance to answer Randy Orton’s open challenge.

Orton had finally been scheduled to face Kevin Owens, but KO was forced to miss the event after suffering a serious neck injury that required surgery. In Owens’ absence, Orton briefly clashed with Nick Aldis on SmackDown, hitting the authority figure with an RKO.

WWE Never Considered Nick Aldis For WrestleMania

Randy Orton’s face-to-face with Aldis began speculation that The Viper could face the SmackDown General Manager at the ‘Show of Shows.’

The British star hasn’t wrestled since competing at an independent event in October 2023, with his last match for a major promotion taking place in IMPACT three months earlier. But despite his non-wrestling role on SmackDown, Aldis has repeatedly said he’s open to lacing up his boots again in the right circumstances.

However, it’s been reported that a potential comeback was never considered for WrestleMania 41.

As reported on Wrestle Votes Radio, Aldis was never truly considered for WrestleMania, and by the time he was teasing a clash with Orton on SmackDown, a deal with Hendry had already been done. It’s claimed the segment on SmackDown teasing a match was simply done to help fill TV time until WrestleMania.

“For those that are into this type of stuff, we are told. WWE had no real consideration to have Nick Aldis as Randy Orton’s WrestleMania opponent. The segment that was done where all Nick took an RKO was done, quote, ‘To kill a week of TV’ with Joe Hendry already locked down at that point.

We are told, however, Nick Aldis is open to competing down the road, if the story is right and appropriate for him to come back and compete.”

It had previously been reported that Randy Orton personally chose to face Joe Hendry after several names were provisionally put forward. Following the loss to Orton, Hendry has remained connected to WWE, appearing on NXT before being attacked by Trick Williams at TNA Rebellion.

H/t to WrestlingNews.Co