John Cena Retirement Tour: TNA, NXT crossover superstar Joe Hendry plans to challenge WWE legend

Patrik Walker

John Cena Retirement Tour: TNA, NXT crossover superstar Joe Hendry plans to challenge WWE legend image

When the WWE Universe turned to Money in the Bank for some fireworks on the 4th of July weekend, it received an unexpected surprise when the trumpets started blaring and John Cena made his way to the ring. The even bigger and more unexpected surprise was that he announced his retirement tour, a declaration that shook the wrestling world — including Joe Hendry.

Cena then issued an open challenge to anyone in the locker room of any brand to challenge him before he calls it a career in December 2025, and if he wants one of those who steps up to be Hendry, Cena need only say his name and he’ll appear.

NXT CHAMPION SPEAKS ON JOE HENDRY’S IMPACT

Then again, it sounds like Hendry isn’t waiting on that, because it is he who will say Cena’s.

"I have a world championship match at [TNA] Slammiversary,” Hendry told Chris Jericho on the “Talk is Jericho” podcast, via Fightful, noting just how much his crossover appearances on NXT have strapped his career to a rocket. “I'm going to be in the main event. This is insane. I couldn't get on a pay-per-view for months. 

“Now, I'm in the main event for the world title at Slammiversary.” 

Cena has already said “I’m in no position to hand-pick opponents”, so this match isn’t entirely out of the question, though Hendry would have to get in a line that features names like CM Punk and The Miz.

WATCH: JOE HENDRY HINTING AT POSSIBLE TNA TAKEOVER?

It’s a title shot for Hendry this Saturday, in a six-man elimination match for the TNA World Championship, and he’s already eyeing Cena as the one he wants to try and take it from him if he gets the victory. 

“I'll tell you this now: If — when I win the title, I'm going to raise the title above my head, I'm going to take the microphone, and I'm going to say, 'John Cena, you've done everything in this business. Almost everything,” said Hendry. “If you want to cross the line...' 

“That's what is going to happen.”

At this point, everyone should believe him.




Patrik Walker

Patrik Walker Photo

Patrik [No C] Walker is an accredited, award-winning journalist and podcaster who has worked to become one of the most respected and recognizable forces covering the Dallas Cowboys. Having never lost his lifelong passion for the wrestling, the one-of-a-kind analyst is using his talents to complete a journey that began as a rambunctious kid wearing a championship belt fashioned from cardboard and aluminum foil, to the ranks of covering an industry that's had his heart pinned to the mat for decades now. Follow him on Twitter/X: VoiceOfTheStar.