Vince McMahon didn’t like competition, and he absolutely hated promotions like Total Nonstop Action wrestling (TNA), which directly competed with WWE. With McMahon out of the picture, the new leadership under Triple H is trying to build connections with other promotions in an attempt to expand their influence. We saw the WWE-AAA deal go down at WrestleMania 41.
On Night Two, Triple H joined forces with TNA when he brought his competitor’s biggest star for a match against Randy Orton. TNA World Champion Joe Hendry accepted Orton’s open challenge and entered the ring at Las Vegas for a match against him. His entrance was teased by WWE before the match, and fans were genuinely surprised at seeing Hendry on WWE’s big night.
Triple H giving a prime spot to Joe Hendry is something Vince McMahon won’t approve of
TNA World Champion Joe Hendry at WrestleMania 41 | Credits: WWE/Netflix
Vince McMahon would have never dreamt of allowing a TNA player in the WWE ring, especially during their Show of all Shows. McMahon honestly couldn’t stand the crowd cheering for another promotion’s player at a WWE event. If he weren’t out for his legal troubles, he would’ve stopped Triple H from extending a welcoming arm to a TNA Champion at WrestleMania.
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Randy Orton vs Kevin Owens was the original fixture for WrestleMania Night Two. But when Owens couldn’t make it to the ring due to a neck injury, Orton issued an open challenge to anyone in the locker room or in Las Vegas. It wasn’t a WWE star who answered the call, but it was TNA’s World Champion Joe Hendry.
SAY HIS NAMEAND HE APPEARSAT WRESTLEMANIA!👏👏 pic.twitter.com/QVhx4qZxuU— WWE (@WWE) April 21, 2025
Hendry came onto the ring, fully flexing his TNA Championship belt around his waist. He put up a good show against Orton but didn’t manage to survive in the ring for long. He was posing for fans towards the camera spot when the Viper’s RKO hit him from nowhere. He was then pinned down by Orton for a victory.
After the match, Orton delivered another RKO to throw Hendry into the crowd. Triple H‘s move to build a connection with other promotions during this WrestleMania truly deserves appreciation. Owens’ announcement came just days before the big event, which meant that the WWE content head put together this WWE-TNA match in a matter of days.
Interestingly, this wasn’t Hendry’s first stint with WWE. He also made a surprise appearance at this year’s Royal Rumble match. He is also set to face off against WWE NXT star Ethan Page to defend his World Championship title at TNA Rebellion this month.
Triple H’s WWE also acquired Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide
Triple H at WrestleMania | Credits: WWE
WrestleMania 41 Night One also witnessed a major announcement from Triple H and the WWE. The company officially acquired Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide, based in Mexico. Triple H sat down with AAA General Manager Dorian Roldán, AAA President Marisela Peña, and lucha libre players from both sides of the promotion during the announcement.
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The two promotions also announced their first crossover event, Worlds Collide, on June 7. The Mexican promotion was founded in 1992 and was home to many luchador wrestlers, some of whom went on to compete for WWE. These wrestlers included Rey Mysterio, Eddie Guerrero, Penta, and NXT Women’s Champion Stephanie Vaquer.
Triple H shared that the partnership will “benefit the entire world of sports-entertainment.” He also shared that the partnership will “guarantee that AAA remains the premier destination for wrestling in Mexico.”
A partnership that will benefit the entire world of sports-entertainment. @luchalibreaaa has been a cultural mainstay in Mexico and the home to many @WWE Superstars. This partnership will guarantee that AAA remains the premier destination for wrestling in Mexico. A special… pic.twitter.com/mzsEip0SoG— Triple H (@TripleH) April 19, 2025
AAA wrestler El Hijo del Vikingo, one of the biggest stars in the promotion, appeared on the ringside during Night One. He reigned as the longest AAA Mega Champion for 833 days. We may soon see him in the ring for WWE.
WrestleMania 41 is currently streaming on Peacock in the United States and Netflix everywhere else.
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