Joe Hendry captured the TNA World Championship at Genesis 2025, defeating Nic Nemeth in a singles match. Following his victory, Hendry maintained his interest in a potential match with John Cena.

John Cena posted on Instagram regarding WWE and TNA’s new multi-year partnership announcement. The post featured imagery representing both companies. Hendry responded to Cena’s post with his signature GIF, maintaining his social media style of communicating through images rather than text.

Cena previously announced his retirement from in-ring competition at the end of 2025. Multiple wrestlers have expressed interest in facing Cena before his retirement, including CM Punk and Bron Breakker. Hendry has repeatedly indicated his desire to compete against Cena through various social media posts.

WWE-TNA Partnership

WWE and TNA Wrestling established their multi-year partnership agreement on January 16. The collaboration allows talent exchanges between WWE NXT and TNA Wrestling programming.

The partnership began with Jordynne Grace competing in the Women’s Royal Rumble Match. Additional crossovers included appearances by Grace, Hendry, and Frankie Kazarian in NXT. WWE’s Arianna Grace, Karmen Petrovic, Dante Chen, and Wolfgang performed on TNA programming.

Cena announced his entry into the Royal Rumble match during his January 6 RAW appearance, marking the beginning of his retirement tour.

WWE and TNA officially announced a multi-year partnership on January 16th that expands their collaborative efforts from 2024. The agreement focuses on creating crossover opportunities between both companies’ programming, particularly involving NXT talent.

The partnership builds on previous collaborations, including former TNA Knockouts World Champion Jordynne Grace’s participation in the Women’s Royal Rumble and subsequent NXT Women’s Championship challenge at NXT Battleground. Joe Hendry also competed for the NXT Championship at NXT No Mercy.

WWE’s announcement detailed plans for talent to appear across both companies’ programming, including NXT on The CW, TNA iMPACT!, WWE Premium Live Events, and TNA pay-per-views.

WWE Senior Vice President of Talent Development Creative, Shawn Michaels, addressed the partnership:

We look forward to growing and evolving our partnership with TNA Wrestling and its outstanding group of athletes by creating new opportunities to further the development of our talent and to elevate the viewer experience at home

TNA Leadership Emphasizes Collaborative Benefits

TNA’s Senior Vice President of Content & Distribution, Ariel Shnerer, highlighted how the agreement serves both companies while prioritizing fan experience:

This historic relationship demonstrates that collaboration and competition do not have to be mutually exclusive. Our partnership allows the TNA Wrestling brand and its incredible athletes to reach a significantly wider audience, while giving WWE and NXT stars an opportunity to cross the line and gain valuable experience

Shnerer noted the positive response to previous collaborations between the companies throughout 2024, emphasizing the benefits for both organizations and their audiences.

Recent speculation about Joe Hendry’s potential appearance in the 2025 Royal Rumble match has been addressed by WrestleVotes. During a Live Q&A session on Backstage Pass, the outlet provided an update on Hendry’s status:

No. Nothing I have heard; not to say that’s not gonna happen. I think we spoke about this on the on the show before. He’s kind of cooled a little bit. Maybe that’s by design, but that wouldn’t make any sense to me. So I don’t expect him to be one of one of the 30 in the Rumble; no!

Hendry made his WWE NXT debut in June 2024, participating in a 25-man Battle Royal. His subsequent appearances included tag team matches with Trick Williams and a main event bout against Ethan Page at NXT No Mercy 2024.

Omos could make Royal Rumble return after NOAH success

As speculation continues about potential Royal Rumble entrants, former RAW Tag Team Champion Omos emerges as a possible returnee. The Nigerian Giant has been absent from WWE programming since April 2024, last appearing in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal.

During his time away, Omos established himself in Pro Wrestling NOAH. His Japanese tenure includes winning the GHC Tag Team Championship in his debut match and maintaining an undefeated record.

The February 1 premium live event could mark Omos’s WWE return, with the Royal Rumble match format historically showcasing competitors of his stature.