Trick Williams Crowned New TNA Champion at NXT Battleground

Originally posted on Last Word On Sports
By Chinyere Okafor | Last updated May 26, 2025 12:55 AM ET

Trick Williams picked up a shocking victory at WWE NXT Battleground. The event emanated from the Yeungling Center in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, May 25. Here is everything to know about the moment.

Joe Hendry Defends Gold at NXT Battleground

Joe Hendry defending the TNA World Championship at NXT Battleground was a historic moment. It was the first time that a TNA championship was defended on a WWE PLE. His challenger was former NXT Champion and NXT North American Champion, Trick Williams.

In the build-up to Battleground, Hendry and Williams took turns appearing on each show – WWE NXT and TNA iMPACT! At Battleground, Hendry and Williams main evented, and they had quite the reception.

In the end, Williams was resorting to nefarious means to win by bringing the TNA World Championship into the ring. The referee got hold of it, but neglected to get it out of the ring. This ultimately played a big role in the finish, as Williams planted Hendry onto the gold.

With a new champion, Hendry’s TNA World Championship reign comes to an end at 126 days.

OH. MY. GOD.

TRICK WILLIAMS IS THE NEW TNA WORLD CHAMPION!!!#WWEBattleground pic.twitter.com/7BfAkTMKRO

— WWE (@WWE) May 26, 2025

#ANDNEW: Trick Williams

Trick Williams is the new TNA World Champion. This is the first time that a WWE Superstar has attained a TNA championship. Williams becomes the 62nd champion in the title’s lineage.

Moving forward, Williams could appear on both NXT and TNA shows. Notably, this could play a major role in the upcoming TNA Against All Odds event, which takes place on Friday, June 6.