Jeff Hardy Was Considered for Randy Orton’s WrestleMania Opponent – Randy Orton stepped into the ring at WrestleMania 41 – Night 2 without his originally scheduled opponent, Kevin Owens, who was pulled from the card due to a serious neck injury. Instead, Orton faced a surprise challenger: TNA World Heavyweight Champion Joe Hendry, continuing a notable partnership between WWE and TNA Wrestling.
The match ended swiftly as Orton hit an RKO to secure the victory over Hendry. Though brief, the moment was significant—Hendry, still under contract with TNA, became the latest crossover name to appear on WWE programming. His appearance followed his Royal Rumble debut earlier this year, marking his second major WWE premium live event in 2025.
Leading up to the event, several other names were rumored as potential replacements for Owens. Among them were the likes of former WWE stars Rusev (now Miro in AEW) and Aleister Black (Malakai Black), as well as SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis, who some fans hoped would return to in-ring competition on the grandest stage.
According to a report from Cory Hays of PW Nexus, TNA veteran Jeff Hardy was also discussed internally as a potential opponent. Hardy, still under contract with TNA, was reportedly among the list of viable names due to his long-standing popularity and WrestleMania history. However, WWE ultimately chose Hendry, likely due to his rising star power and previous WWE exposure.
The match and its surrounding speculation underscore the evolving working relationship between WWE and TNA, one that has led to more inter-promotional moments in 2025 than ever before. From Jordynne Grace’s recent WWE appearances to Hendry’s Royal Rumble and now WrestleMania cameo, fans are witnessing unprecedented collaboration between the two companies.
Whether this trend continues remains to be seen, but for now, the Orton vs. Hendry bout—however short—was another significant footnote in the ongoing WWE–TNA partnership.
Jeff Hardy Was Considered for Randy Orton’s WrestleMania Opponent
