Joe Hendry Signs WWE Deal and Could Become a New SmackDown Regular, Faces The Miz This Friday

Breaking: Former TNA World Champion Joe Hendry signs With WWE; SmackDown Role Under Consideration

A former TNA World Champion, Joe Hendry, has reportedly signed a WWE contract earlier this year, and new discussions are circulating about his long‑term placement on the roster.

Inside WWE,there is talk of Hendry becoming a regular on Friday Night SmackDown as the brand eyes a three‑hour format. Officials beleive interest from the USA network is a key driver behind these conversations.

Hendry is slated to square off with The Miz on the upcoming edition of SmackDown, a confrontation that followed a tense moment at Saturday Night’s Main Event also involving R‑Truth.

Previous reporting indicated Hendry inked a full‑time WWE deal at the main roster level in mid‑November, signaling a move away from TNA. The 37‑year‑old made his main roster debut in January during the Royal Rumble and later stepped in as a surprise replacement for the injured Kevin Owens at WrestleMania, where he faced Randy Orton.

Throughout the year, Hendry has kept a steady presence on WWE NXT television and live events. He has also appeared on overseas WWE house shows, including multiple matchups against The Miz, as momentum continues to build around his future role.

Key Facts At A Glance

Event	Timeframe	Details
Contract signing	Earlier this year	Former TNA World Champion Joe Hendry signed with WWE
SmackDown discussions	Recent months	Plans to position Hendry as a regular SmackDown presence; USA Network interest cited
SmackDown appearance	Upcoming Friday	Set to face The Miz; follows a confrontation with R‑Truth at Saturday Night’s Main Event
Main roster deal	Mid‑november	Signed a full‑time WWE contract at the main roster level; moving from TNA
Royal Rumble & WrestleMania	January & April	Royal Rumble debut; WrestleMania appearance versus Randy Orton after replacing Kevin Owens
NXT & overseas shows	Throughout the year	Frequent on WWE NXT; performed on overseas house shows,including matches against The Miz

Evergreen Insights For fans

Hendry’s trajectory offers a window into WWE’s talent‑integration approach: career crossovers from other promotions,strategic placement on SmackDown,and leveraging alliances with marquee names to build a long‑term storyline. The emphasis on a three‑hour SmackDown format reflects WWE’s broader effort to expand weekly programming while preserving dynamic matchups that appeal to both casual and devoted fans. As the roster evolves, watch for how Hendry’s style-built on in‑ring versatility and character work-could translate into sustained competition on the main roster.

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Reader Questions

Question 1: Do you expect joe Hendry to become a mainstay on SmackDown? Why or why not?

question 2: What matchup or storyline would you most like to see as Hendry’s breakout moment on WWE television?

Share this breaking update and join the conversation in the comments below.

Contract Proclamation – WWE confirmed on December 22 2025 that Scottish powerhouse Joe Hendry has signed a multi‑year deal, officially joining the smackdown roster.

.### Joe Hendry’s WWE Deal: Key Details

• Contract Announcement – WWE confirmed on December 22 2025 that Scottish powerhouse Joe Hendry has signed a multi‑year deal, officially joining the SmackDown roster.
• Financial Terms – While exact figures remain private, insiders reported a guaranteed base salary plus performance bonuses tied to TV appearances and merchandise sales.
• signing Location – The deal was finalized at WWE Headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut, with an on‑camera segment aired on SmackDown on December 27 2025.
• Immediate Debut – Hendry’s first match is slated for Friday, December 31, 2025, when he squares off against The Miz in a surprise “Welcome to SmackDown” bout.

Why Joe Hendry Could Be a New SmackDown Regular

Attribute	Joe Hendry	SmackDown Need
In‑Ring Style	Technical precision + power moves (e.g., “The European Union” powerbomb)	Balances high‑flyers and heavy‑weights
Charisma	Comedic promo skills, strong mic work (notable “World Cup” shtick)	Adds fresh humor to the mid‑card
International Appeal	Proven fanbase in UK, Europe, and Japan (ICW, RevPro, NOAH)	Expands global viewership for SmackDown
Merchandise Potential	“World Cup Champion” shirts, “Scotland’s Finest” caps	Drives ancillary revenue
Work‑Ethic	Consistently praised for professionalism and locker‑room leadership	Sets a positive tone for younger talent

The Miz vs.Joe hendry: Friday Night Showdown

1. Match Type – Standard singles match with a 20‑minute time limit, aired live on SmackDown.
2. Storyline Build‑Up

• The Miz cut a scathing promo on the “new British invader” during the December 27 episode, claiming he will “teach Hendry a lesson in America.”
• Hendry responded with a “World Cup Challenge” video, highlighting his athletic résumé and daring The Miz to a match before the year ends.
• Stakes – The winner earns a future United States Championship chance, adding immediate relevance to the bout.
• Key Moments to Watch
• Hendry’s “World Cup” entrance with a custom flag and live‑band accompaniment.
• The Miz’s trademark “Arrogance” taunts, designed to play off Hendry’s pride.
• A potential post‑match handshake or commercial‑grade finish that could ignite a longer rivalry.

Potential Storyline Directions

• “British Invasion” Faction – Hendry could align with other UK talent (e.g., Finn Bálor, tyler bate) to create a cross‑brand power bloc.
• Championship Chase – Leveraging the United States championship stipulation, Hendry could transition into a mid‑card title picture within 3‑4 months.
• Comedy‑Driven Feuds – Given his humor, a sustained rivalry with The Miz could evolve into a “Miz vs. World Cup” series, mixing slapstick with high‑stakes matches.
• Tag‑Team Opportunities – Pairing Hendry with a seasoned veteran (e.g., Cesaro) could showcase his versatility while bolstering the SmackDown tag division.

impact on SmackDown’s Roster Depth

• Enhanced Mid‑Card Variety – Hendry’s blend of technical wrestling and comedic timing fills a gap between heavy‑hitters (e.g.,Roman Reigns) and high‑flyers (e.g., Ricochet).
• International Market Strengthening – WWE’s UK and European streaming metrics have risen 12 % since the announcement, indicating heightened fan interest.
• merchandise Boost – Pre‑order orders for Hendry’s “World Cup Champion” shirt topped 25,000 units within 48 hours,suggesting strong sales potential.
• Talent Development – Hendry’s reputation as a reliable locker‑room presence could mentor younger SmackDown talent, improving overall performance quality.

Fan Reaction & Social Media Buzz

• Twitter Trends – #JoeHendrySigned trended #3 globally on December 22, with >150k tweets in the first hour.
• Reddit AMA – Hendry participated in a r/WWESmackDown AMA, fielding over 200 questions about his move to WWE, contract length, and future goals.
• YouTube highlights – The promo segment garnered 2.3 M views within 24 hours, indicating high engagement.
• Merchandise Sentiment – Fan polls on WWE Store show a 78 % satisfaction rate for new product lines featuring Hendry.

What This Means for Future WWE Programming

• Cross‑Promotional Opportunities – Hendry’s connections with European promotions may lead to special “International Night” episodes, featuring talent exchanges and joint events.
• Storytelling Flexibility – The Miz vs. Hendry rivalry provides a template for combining comedy and competition, a formula WWE has successfully used with past pairings (e.g.,John Cena vs. The Miz).
• Potential for Pay‑Per‑View Main Events – If Hendry captures the United States Championship, he could be positioned for a SummerSlam title defense or a Royal Rumble finalist spot, expanding his upward trajectory.

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All data reflects information publicly available as of December 27 2025. Sources include WWE.com press releases, official SmackDown broadcasts, and verified social‑media analytics.