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- Trick Williams defeated Joe Hendry to win the TNA World Championship at WWE NXT's Battleground event on May 25, 2025.
- This marked the first time a TNA World Champion defended their title during a WWE premium live event.
- The match featured pre-match performances by both wrestlers and ended with Williams hitting his finisher, the Trick Shot, to secure the victory.
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A significant championship change occurred at WWE NXT’s Battleground premium live event, where Trick Williams defeated Joe Hendry to capture the TNA World Title. The event, held at the Yuengling Center in Tampa, Florida, on May 25, 2025, hosted this historic contest, heralding what some are calling the “Whoop That Era” for TNA Wrestling.
This championship bout was notable as it represented the first instance of a TNA World Champion defending their title during a WWE premium live event. The NXT-branded Battleground show, which notably did not feature NXT branding prominently at the venue itself, provided the stage for this inter-promotional title match. The rivalry leading to the encounter included distinct pre-match expressions from both competitors, with Trick Williams delivering a rap performance and Joe Hendry presenting his own musical concert.
The contest between Trick Williams and Joe Hendry was positioned as the main event of Battleground, complete with prominent ring introductions to amplify the big-match atmosphere. The early moments of the bout saw both wrestlers engaging in psychological tactics and exchanging offensive maneuvers. Williams subsequently gained an advantage, though Hendry consistently countered with his own offensive efforts.
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As the match progressed, the Tampa audience voiced their support for Joe Hendry with chants of “we believe.” Despite this, Trick Williams intensified his offensive pressure. A key sequence saw Hendry execute a powerful slam on Williams for a two-count. Later, Hendry appeared to sustain an injury at ringside, prompting the referee to check on his condition. Williams capitalized by rolling Hendry back into the ring and subsequently sending him into the steel ring steps.
The action then saw Joe Hendry deliver a Rock Bottom to Trick Williams onto the announce table. Back inside the ring, Williams hit his Trick Shot maneuver, resulting in a near fall. In a pivotal moment, Trick Williams brought the TNA World Title belt into the ring, seemingly intending to use it as a weapon. Joe Hendry countered with a roll-up attempt. However, following a distraction, Trick Williams successfully executed another Trick Shot to secure the victory and the TNA World Championship.
The collaboration between WWE and TNA Wrestling is expected to continue, with further developments anticipated following the events at Battleground.
#AndNew TNA World Champion @_trickwilliams #WWEBattleground @WWENXT pic.twitter.com/P9sJLkFgRy
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) May 26, 2025
READ MORE: Surprising ‘Spoiler’ Emerges Ahead of Joe Hendry vs. Trick Williams Clash
