Joe Hendry wants to defend TNA World title against John Cena
Joe Hendry is still angling for a match against John Cena.
Less than 24 hours after being crowned the new TNA World Champion, Hendry appeared as a guest on Monday’s edition of Busted Open Radio. When asked who he is looking to defend the title against, Hendry named Cena as his number one target.
“John Cena,” Hendry responded. “Let me tell you why — look, I have done all the things that I thought would be impossible. But in an era where anything can happen. And just before Genesis, Triple H tweeted us, Shawn Michaels tweeted the show, and John Cena — who hadn’t tweeted about it before — [posted] the TNA logo on his Instagram. What kind of representative would I be for TNA if I didn’t call out John Cena?”
When asked if he thinks he can hang on the microphone with Cena, Hendry expressed confidence that he can.
“1000 percent. I love it, I love it,” Hendry said. “Because John Cena, when he gets that microphone, he tells the truth. And I genuinely — I honestly believe that people haven’t seen what I can truly do on the microphone yet. I feel so comfortable going out there with nothing prepared, and to me John Cena is in the top, top echelon of talkers ever in this business. And you know what? If you don’t invite that challenge to try and step up, then you’re not challenging yourself. I want it. I want it. I know how powerful he is on that microphone, but I believe that I can hang with John Cena.”
Cena is in the midst of a retirement tour that will conclude with him retiring from in-ring competition in December 2025. Last year, Hendry said he believed that he would face Cena before Cena hangs up his boots.
In the main event of TNA Genesis on Sunday night, Hendry became TNA World Champion for the first time ever by dethroning Nic Nemeth. It was announced ahead of the pay-per-view that WWE and TNA have officially agreed to a multi-year deal to continue the partnership that exists between the promotions.
It remains to be seen if Cena and Hendry will ever meet in the ring, but we know Cena has his eyes on one last reign as WWE World Champion. Cena has declared that he’ll be competing in the Royal Rumble on Saturday, February 1. A 17th World title reign would make history for Cena. WWE currently recognizes him and Ric Flair as being tied for the most World title reigns at 16.