What's Happening?
Joe Hendry, previously associated with TNA, has officially signed a contract with WWE. This development follows his appearances on NXT and participation in the 2025 men's Royal Rumble. Hendry is set to challenge for the AAA World Mixed Tag Team Championships
alongside Thea Hail. Additionally, WWE's SmackDown is reportedly expanding to a three-hour format starting January 2026, following a temporary expansion earlier this year. This change aims to provide more screen time for wrestlers but poses challenges in maintaining viewer engagement. Meanwhile, Shinsuke Nakamura expressed interest in being Hiroshi Tanahashi's retirement match opponent, a role ultimately given to Kazuchika Okada.
Why It's Important?
Hendry's signing strengthens WWE's roster, potentially impacting TNA's talent pool. The SmackDown expansion reflects WWE's strategic adjustments in response to programming changes, such as Raw's move to Netflix. This could influence viewer habits and WWE's ratings. Nakamura's interest in Tanahashi's match highlights WWE's ongoing interactions with NJPW, despite AEW's partnership with NJPW. These developments underscore WWE's efforts to enhance its programming and talent acquisition strategies, affecting its competitive positioning in the wrestling industry.
What's Next?
With Hendry now part of WWE, his upcoming matches, including the AAA World Mixed Tag Team Championships, will be closely watched. The SmackDown expansion will require WWE to balance content quality with increased airtime, potentially influencing future programming decisions. Nakamura's interest in cross-promotional matches may lead to further negotiations between WWE and NJPW, impacting future collaborations. Stakeholders, including fans and industry analysts, will monitor these developments for their implications on WWE's market strategy and talent management.
