In one of the most positive trends in professional wrestling over the past few years, the fans believe inJoe Hendry. The Scottish star just captured the TNAWorld Heavyweight Championship from Nic Nemeth at the promotion’sGenesispay-per-view on January 19.
Hendry has had quite a run as a member of the Total Non-Stop Action Wrestling roster for several years. But it’s been over the last several months that he’s really solidified his spot in the sport. Armed with an appealing gimmick and one of the catchiest theme songs ever, he’s become a darling to fans inside and outside TNA.
When Hendry hears his name (and he suddenly appears), he flashes a toothy smile and exudes a natural charisma that very few performers possess. The fans get behind him, clapping along to his song and waving their arms back and forth like they’re at a rock concert. And in so many ways? They are.
How Joe Hendry Became A Viral Sensation
Clever Marketing And A Catchy Tune Have Created An Online Sensation
Joe Hendry began his career in his native country, working for Insane Championship Wrestling. Before long, he was wrestling all over the United Kingdom and establishing himself as an up-and-coming star. He would have a brief foray with Ring of Honor Wrestling in 2016, but he wouldn’t make the full-time move to an American promotion until signing with TNA in 2018.
As a longtime musician, Hendry incorporated that aspect of his life into his onscreen persona. However, he still hadn’t fine-tuned those rhythms to mix with his wrestling yet. After a few years back working for ROH, he made his return to TNA in 2024, and that’s when he really started to kick out the jams.And when he dusted off an old theme song that he had stashed away for five years, it was a smash single - literally.
His “I Believe in Joe Hendry” theme song became an instant hit with fans, impressively peaking at number 4 on the UK Singles Downloads Chart and number 6 on the UK Singles Sales Charts, a stunning achievement for a wrestler’s entrance theme.
With Hendry mugging along to the music, the audience couldn’t help but embrace the catchy jingle and the charismatic star.Its pumping energy and exuberance eventually got the crowd clapping to the beat and mimicking Hendry’s physical movements - right down to raising their arms in the air and doing the ‘slow wave’ back and forth.
The Right Place At The Right Time
Hendry Became a Sought-After Star in 2024
For Hendry, the past year has been a roller-coaster ride of success. Not only did he get a boost in popularity in TNA, but his gimmick went socially viral. Because of that, some viewers who had never even watched an episode of Total Non-Stop Action began tuning in. Just to see if anyone would say his name, and he would appear.
For his part, Hendry is quick to remind everyone that he’s no overnight success or one-hit wonder. He’s toiled at his craft for years, but he’s found the right mix. With the needle in the groove now, the current TNA World Champion says that he feels like he’s ready to make huge strides in the industry.
“I think professional wrestling and entertainment is all about timing,” Hendrysaid in a recent interviewwith podcast host Chris Van Vliet. “So, there are certain things I’ve done that would be good in isolation, but if the wave is coming at the right time, and then that’s when you deploy the idea? That’s when things explode.”
How Soon Will We See Hendry In WWE?
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Because of his enjoyable character and great ring skills, Hendry has been on the radar of every major wrestling company in the world over the past several months. Because of that stature, he has been one of the TNA performers who have also appeared on WWE NXT.
But for the NXT crowd, Hendry was no outsider. They immediately recognized him, and they began clapping along to his song. He was fully embraced by an audience that likely never gave TNA Wrestling much thought until recently. The draw for them is not only Hendry’s wrestling ability but his improbable (and clever) road to notoriety.
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While there’s been plenty of speculation that Hendry could be a surprise entrant in the 2025Royal Rumble, and that he will likely sign with the promotion when he’s eventually able to depart TNA. In the meantime, he continues to ask the wrestling world for its continued support. But what does it really mean to’Believe in Joe Hendry'?
“I think [the persona] ties into how my approach to professional wrestling has changed,” Hendry told Van Vliet. “Look, all wrestlers are nuts to do this. I feel like we’re all trying to prove something. It’s an us against the world type of thing. So, when you first get into the business, you’re trying to achieve all these things, and prove ‘X,Y, and Z’. I think when you get a little more confidence [it’s not about achievements], it’s about what’s the best reaction we can get?”
In Joe Hendry’s case, the biggest reaction he may ever receive could come on February 1 at theRumblein Indianapolis. If that happens, and his music plays, the WWE fans in attendance will have no problem giving him the ovation he’s earned. And who knows? He just might make believers out of all of them.
WWE
World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) is a global entertainment company primarily known for professional wrestling. Founded in 1953, it produces live events, television programs, and streaming content. Headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, WWE operates multiple brands, including Raw, SmackDown, and NXT.
