Randy Orton faced a challenging situation heading into WrestleMania 41 when his scheduled opponent, Kevin Owens, suffered an injury and was forced to withdraw. In the aftermath, Trick Williams publicly asserted that he should have been chosen as the Randy Orton WrestleMania 41 opponent instead of Joe Hendry, who ultimately took the spot.
Trick Williams Reflects on His Missed Opportunity at WrestleMania
Following a setback in his loss to Oba Femi, Trick Williams quickly regained momentum by defeating Joe Hendry to capture the TNA World Championship at WWE NXT Battleground in May 2025. On the show Going Ringside, Williams, portraying his on-screen character, spoke about the WrestleMania 41 situation, emphasizing his belief that Hendry took a match that rightfully belonged to him.
“I mean, good for him [Joe Hendry], but I’m going to tell you what’s real? That was my spot he took. Of course it was. Absolutely. Here’s the thing: me and Randy [Orton] have a lot more in common. We’re elite specimens, you know what I mean? We look good. We look like money. Joe Hendry is a believer. He’s no doer; he just believes he can do it. There’s a big difference between the two. So, when you’re going to put Joe Hendry in a big moment like that against Randy Orton, that’s what is going to happen,” Williams said. (From 03:50 to 04:22)
—Trick Williams, TNA World Champion on Going Ringside
Williams’ comments highlight his conviction that he shared more qualities with Orton, both physically and mentally, making him a more suitable opponent. He contrasted his readiness and capability with Hendry’s perceived unpreparedness for high-stakes matches.
Randy Orton’s WWE Journey After WrestleMania 41
Randy Orton’s plans were disrupted when Kevin Owens was injured ahead of WrestleMania 41, resulting in Joe Hendry stepping in. Hendry’s brief match with Orton ended swiftly, with Orton securing a quick victory. After WrestleMania, Hendry remained active within TNA Wrestling and <a href="https://cynicaltimes.org/category/wrestling-news/wwe/”>WWE‘s NXT brand, building his reputation.
Orton, meanwhile, engaged in a high-profile encounter with John Cena before challenging The Franchise Player for a title match in his hometown during WWE Backlash. Although Orton lost, the match further solidified his status within WWE’s main event scene.
Attempting to regain championship glory, Orton participated in the King of the Ring tournament at WWE Night of Champions, only to fall short in the finals against Cody Rhodes. Following this defeat, Orton entered a heated rivalry with Drew McIntyre, a feud that expanded to include Logan Paul and Jelly Roll.
Leading into The Biggest Party of the Summer in New Jersey, Orton allied with Jelly Roll to face McIntyre and Paul in a tag team bout. Although Orton avoided taking the pinfall, his team was defeated by The Scottish Warrior and The Maverick at this landmark event.
The Impact of WrestleMania 41’s Opponent Change on WWE Storylines
The switching of Randy Orton’s WrestleMania 41 opponent from Kevin Owens to Joe Hendry had notable repercussions for several wrestlers’ careers and WWE’s storylines. Hendry gained valuable exposure through his WrestleMania appearance and subsequent consistent role in NXT and TNA Wrestling. Conversely, Orton’s trajectory involved intense encounters with top stars such as John Cena, Cody Rhodes, and Drew McIntyre that extended WWE rivalries and set the stage for future events.
Looking ahead, Trick Williams’ outspoken remarks underline the competitive nature of talent placement in WWE, especially for marquee events like WrestleMania. His claim to the Randy Orton WrestleMania 41 opponent position may influence future booking decisions or push Williams’ character into more prominent storylines as he continues to build momentum.
