A former WWE manager gave his honest opinion about Randy Orton's fight in Wrestlemania 41, claiming that Triple H could have been involved in a political maneuver behind the scene. Orton faced Joe Hendry in Las Vegas, defeating the world champion of TNA in three minutes.
The Viper was going to face Kevin Owens at The Show of Shows this year, but a neck injury forced The Prizefighter to retire from combat. This left The Legend Killer suddenly without a fight in what would have been an important milestone for him. It would have been the number 20 in The Grandest Stage of Them All for the 14 times world champion.
Therefore, Orton decided to launch an open challenge in Las Vegas, with Hendry responding to the call. Joe's entrance generated a great ovation of the fans present.
However, the fight lasted only three minutes after Orton connected the RKO out of nowhere when Hendry was making his characteristic turn for the crowd.
Speaking in your podcast Story TimeDutch Mantell discussed what happened between Randy Orton and Joe Hendry.
“I think they did a little politics with TNA and took Hendry there. He really did nothing. It was just a body for Orton, and you close their eyes and the fight has already ended. Orton got over and I liked the double Rkos. (1:30 – 2:15)
The co-elanfitrion of Dutch Tencl, James Romero, pointed out the strong reaction of the WWE universe to Joe Hendry, but wrestling veteran thought it could have been added by WWE.
Dutch Mantell insisted on Joe Hendry's defeat against Randy Orton
In addition to his previous comments, Dutch Manter thought that the world champion of TNA losing in three minutes against Randy Orton was not useful for TNA Wrestling. He even called them four levels below WWE as a promotion.
“I don't think it helps them much that your champion is defeated. So, that does not put them on a second level, but as on a fourth level. Joe Hendry, with that smile, and you want to slap him when he turns around and has that smile,” said Tencl. (4:05 – 4:24)
Despite what some fans, or a wrestling legend in this case, thought about their brief fight in Wrestlemania, Joe Hendry had many positive things to say about all the experience.
