Last night at NXT, two major TNA favourites made their mark
Joe Hendry and Frankie Kazarian made appearances on last night’s NXT, as WWE and TNA continue to work together.
Cody Rhodes already indicated that this week’s NXT would include a 25-man battle royal to crown a new #1 contender for Trick Williams’ NXT Championship, as well as the possibility of talent from other companies participating.
While a picture of TNA staple Frankie Kazarian backstage with Shawn Michaels was posted online prior to the show, Joe Hendry’s arrival was kept a surprise, which went over quite well with the NXT audience.
With 22 wrestlers already in the ring when NXT debuted, Hendry, along with Je’Von Evans and Ethan Page, received a televised introduction. Not only that, but the charismatic Scot was given some promotional time.
Unfortunately for Joe, he was the first person eliminated from this battle royal, lasting only 90 seconds as he was attacked by many wrestlers before being eliminated by Kazarian, extending their previous animosity in TNA. Kaz advanced to the match’s last four before being eliminated by eventual champion Je’Von Evans.
In footage later shared on WWE social media, Joe Hendry accosted Shawn Michaels backstage after his elimination, asking whether it was Shawn’s idea for NXT vs. Joe Hendry and threatening to appear on any program at any moment.
While this was Hendry’s first match under the WWE brand, he had previously appeared as a Russian diplomat with Rusev and Lana. Kazarian, on the other hand, had a brief stint with the market leader as part of its cruiserweight division in 2005, in addition to doing a few of enhancement matches.
For anyone who missed it, our own Adam Wilbourn had a great talk with Joe Hendry earlier this month.