AEW and TNA star Matt Hardy views the ongoing collaboration between TNA Wrestling and WWE NXT as highly beneficial, particularly for the TNA brand and its champion, Joe Hendry. On his podcast “The Extreme Life With Matt Hardy,” he discussed Hendry’s recent WWE-affiliated appearances, including his upcoming TNA World Championship defense against NXT’s Trick Williams at NXT Battleground.
“I think Joe Hendry having a TNA championship match in NXT is going to be cool for the TNA brand in general,” Hardy stated. He also emphasized the positive impact of Hendry’s surprise match against Randy Orton at WrestleMania 41: “I think having him on WrestleMania was huge for the TNA brand in general.”
Hardy downplayed any concerns about the outcome of the WrestleMania match. “The match was irrelevant at the end of the day. The only people that are worried about that are the die-hards, the sickos,” he commented. “You have the TNA World Champion against Randy Orton, a legit legend… Everybody was highlighted, everybody got their stuff in, and it’s helped TNA.”
He provided a firsthand account of Hendry’s growing recognition. “I can tell from the boom in business,” Hardy revealed. “I can tell because we were doing the meet and greets at Rebellion and after that, Joe Hendry was there much later in the night than he was previously… That helped his popularity. Him doing this NXT thing is only going to be beneficial for him as well.”
Matt Hardy’s podcast drops every Friday at ExtremeHardy.com. If you use any portion of the quotes from this article please credit ExtremeHardy.com with a h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription.
