Joe Hendry believes he’ll face John Cena in WWE.
At the 2025 Royal Rumble on February 1st, TNA Champion Joe Hendry delighted fans around the world when he made a surprise entrance at number 15. Hendry has been open about the fact that he wants to face John Cena before the legendary star retires in 2025, and after his Rumble appearance, he once again called out Cena.
Speaking in a new interview with Ariel Helwani, Hendry detailed a backstage conversation with Cena at the Royal Rumble in which he made his intentions to face the 16 time World Champion clear.
“Because, and the same way that I believed that I would be in the Rumble, you know, I’m happy to say I’d, hand on heart, believe that I will wrestle John Cena this year. 100% there’s not, there’s not any doubt. And I had the opportunity to tell John Cena that as well. We had a long conversation.”
“It’s On My Shoulders” – Joe Hendry On Goal To Face John Cena In WWE
When asked how his conversation with Cena went, Hendry said the conversation was great, and detailed advice from Cena on making a bout between the two men feel like a blockbuster event.
“It was awesome, you know? It was awesome. He’s the greatest, you know? And I’ll share some of it, I won’t share it all, but basically, what he did say was that fortune favors the bold. And what he made clear is that if I want that match to happen, it’s on my shoulders. I gotta make it happen. I gotta generate the interest to make it happen. And it was almost like a challenge, you know.
And aside from that, he gave me some great advice. And, you know, with all the chaos of the Rumble going on, John Cena sat down with me and we had a long, meaningful conversation where he could have, you know, used that time to think about what he was doing. He instead invested the time to talk to me.
So I think, I think he sees something in me, but I have to prove myself now. I have to put myself in a position where me versus John Cena is one of the most compelling matchups in professional wrestling.”
"In the same way that I believed that I would be in the Rumble… I, hand on heart, believe that I will wrestle John Cena this year.
There's not any doubt. I had the opportunity to tell John Cena that backstage. We had a long conversation."
How can you doubt? @joehendry 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/PwfMXdPAgK
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) February 3, 2025
If you use any quotes from this transcription, please credit Ariel Helwani and link back to this article with a h/t to ITR Wrestling.