Joe Hendry to attack CM Punk on SmackDown? - 3 ideal scenarios for the TNA wrestler's return in WWE
After months of fans saying his name, Joe Hendry finally appeared on WWE programming last night on NXT. He was a surprise entrant in a battle royal to determine the next challenger for the NXT Championship, currently held by Trick Williams.
Despite the fanfare surrounding his arrival on WWE's developmental brand, Hendry was quickly eliminated from the high-stakes matchup. This led to him angrily shouting at NXT's booker Shawn Michaels backstage.
During his face-off with the Heartbreak Kid, Hendry hinted that this was not the last time that fans have seen him. Therefore we will look at three ways Joe Hendry could make an impact in his next WWE appearance.
#3. Hendry replaces one of WWE's alphas
Following Clash at the Castle last weekend, World Wrestling Entertainment is now gearing up for one of their biggest shows of the year, Money in the Bank. The premium live event is set to take place in Toronto on Saturday, July 6, which will see multiple stars attempt to climb the ladder to retrieve the briefcase that grants them a championship match.
Currently, superstars are embroiled in various qualifying matches as they attempt to reach the show. One bout that is set for next week is Chad Gable vs. Braun Strowman vs. Bronson Reed.
However, Gable may no longer be able to compete in the match after he was seen bloodied up at the end of RAW backstage after Uncle Howdy and the rest of his faction debuted on the red brand.
With Chad Gable's position in the matchup for debate, Joe Hendry could potentially capitalize on the former Olympian's ailment and take his place in the high-stakes match.
#2. Drew McIntyre's countryman goes after CM Punk
In what was meant to be a crowning moment in front of his home fans in Glasgow at Clash at the Castle last Saturday, Drew McIntyre once again ran into his personal demon CM Punk. The Second City Saint entered McIntyre's World Heavyweight Championship match as the referee and stopped Drew from capturing the belt.
Following what he saw as an unjust move, Drew quit WWE this past Monday on RAW, with CM Punk having once again got the better of him. While McIntyre is seemingly gone from the company for the time being, Punk will be appearing on SmackDown this Friday in Chicago.
Punk will give his injury update this Friday on the blue brand and Joe Hendry may look to get revenge for his friend and fellow Scot, Drew McIntyre, by launching a surprise attack on the former WWE Champion.
Despite working in separate companies, Drew is certainly a fan of Hendry as he recently praised his fellow countryman in an interview with Cultaholic.
"I do believe in Joe Hendry. I do. He’s doing awesome and I’m very, very proud of him, especially, you know, getting the song so high up in the charts and caused as much buzz as he’s caused. He’s deserved a big opportunity for a long time, and thankfully he’s been able to showcase himself on IMPACT and I’m sure it’s just going to keep going up and going up. The sky’s the limit. He can do it all," McIntyre said.
#1. Joe Hendry makes an impact at NXT Heatwave
A more likely destination for Joe Hendry's next WWE appearance could once again be NXT as he seemingly has unfinished business with a lot of the roster after he got eliminated from the battle royal almost straight away.
Last night's episode of NXT saw Je'Von Evans win the battle royal then defeat Ethan Page later in the night to become the number one contender for Trick Williams' NXT Championship.
Having earned the respect of both the fans and the locker room, Williams will be no easy task for Evans. During a recent interview on The Masked Man Show, Trick spoke about his journey to the top of NXT.
"Along every step of the journey, every single phase, I've been okay with taking a chance for myself. This is where it gets you. It might not happen the first time, might not happen the second time, but eventually, if you keep on working, you keep putting the work in, you know you're true to that grind, you keep banking on yourself, you're gonna break through those doors."
Trick Williams and Je'Von Evans will meet at NXT Heatwave on Sunday, July 7, with both stars looking to put everything on the line for the brand's biggest prize.
One star who may look to spoil the party for the stars in the ring and the WWE fans in attendance is Joe Hendry who is hellbent on revenge as well as a shot at the NXT Championship itself.