Lil Yachty to make in-ring debut at SNME on Sept. 6; Joe Hendry off TV for ReelShort project
Rapper Lil Yachty has accepted Baron Corbin’s challenge to make his in-ring debut at Sunday Night’s Main Event on September 6, which will be held at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, following an incident on last week’s SmackDown in Toronto. Joe Hendry has been absent from WWE television since the August 3 edition of Raw because he is working on a ReelShort project described as a "live-action microdrama," PWInsider reports.
Yachty has appeared alongside Trick Williams since before WrestleMania as a hype man and has been involved in Williams’ feud with Baron Corbin. Corbin defeated Williams at SummerSlam to capture the United States title and then retained in a rematch. On SmackDown, Williams requested another title shot, Corbin declined, and Yachty and Williams attacked Corbin; Corbin then challenged Yachty to a match in his hometown at Sunday Night’s Main Event with the stipulation that if Yachty lasts five minutes, Williams will receive a title rematch. Yachty accepted that challenge.
Per False Finish, Lil Yachty has been preparing for the match at the WWE Performance Center and is expected to remain involved with WWE for the foreseeable future. That report says he has earned respect from people inside WWE and across the wrestling industry for his commitment, work ethic and serious approach to the business. The preparation at the Performance Center is described as part of his build-up to the in-ring debut against Baron Corbin.
Bryan Alvarez of F4WOnline reports Yachty spent the past several months training alongside Alpha Academy’s Ivy Nile and her husband, fitness instructor Ari Levy, as he prepared for his debut. Alvarez’s report frames those sessions as components of his months-long preparation for the match at Sunday Night’s Main Event. Those training partners are identified specifically in the F4WOnline report.
The September 6 Sunday Night’s Main Event is scheduled to air live from State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. WWE has described the September 6 edition as its first-ever Sunday Night’s Main Event. The card announced so far includes other established names on the roster.
Joe Hendry’s absence began after his loss to Bron Breakker on the August 3 edition of Raw, when he was also attacked by Austin Theory. PWInsider reports Hendry is involved in WWE’s inaugural project under its partnership with ReelShort, described as a "live-action microdrama" to be released on mobile platforms. There is currently no word on when Hendry will return to WWE television or when the microdrama will premiere.
Lil Yachty’s next confirmed appearance is his match with Baron Corbin at Sunday Night’s Main Event on September 6, 2026, at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, while Joe Hendry’s return date remains unspecified by the reports.