Former TNA Champion Furious World Title Held By WWE Superstar
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
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Professional wrestling fans were shocked during NXT Battleground when TNA World Champion lost his title to former NXT Champion Trick Williams.
This marked the first time a TNA title has been won by a WWE superstar while they were still signed with WWE.
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Despite this being a history-making moment in pro wrestling, not everyone is happy with the move.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 20: Randy Orton (R) celebrates after defeating Joe Hendry during WrestleMania 41 at Allegiant Stadium on April 20, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 20: Randy Orton (R) celebrates after defeating Joe Hendry during WrestleMania 41 at Allegiant Stadium on April 20, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada.In a recent interview with WhatCulture, former TNA World Champion Nic Nemeth, formerly known as Dolph Ziggler in WWE, said how he truly felt that the title was now in the hands of an NXT Superstar.
"I'm absolutely furious and pissed off about it, and that's not a joke or a game," Nemeth said, per Corey Brennan of Fightful. "I feel like Joe Hendry has accomplished so much and he's brought so many eyes to TNA and he's kicked so much ass.
"This isn't a world of participation medals and awards that says, 'hey, great job. You lost our world title to a different guy from a company from a different company.'
"So I don't go, hey, great job, buddy. Thanks for trying really hard and losing our title to a different company. I say, I congratulate him when he brings people in, when he defends that title, he beat me, and I said, 'damn it, you beat me. You got me.' And when you lose and you mess up, just like I do to myself, or I get on Ryan's case, when we make mistakes, we own up to it.
"He lost our world title. I am not okay with that. I feel like we might need to bring back wrestler court or something, or pull him aside with everybody in the locker room. Because if everyone's gonna pat him on the back for the good things, we need to let him know that he messed up and lost our world title.
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"Trick Williams is a badass. He's awesome. He's got a great future, but he is an NXT talent who now is the TNA world champion, and I am pissed off about it."
"I'm gonna be the one to take the TNA World Title from you!"@Santana_Proud did not hold back on @_trickwilliams! 😲#WWENXT pic.twitter.com/pZcO8SDl4l — WWE (@WWE) May 28, 2025
Williams is now set to defend the championship against TNA wrestler Mike Santana on the June 3 episode of NXT. There has been no word on what the future holds for Joe Hendry.
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For more WWE, TNA, and professional wrestling news, head on over to Newsweek Sports.
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