Joe Hendry thinks he is the champion in TNA, just without the world title belt.
The TNA star has recently blown up in popularity, thanks to his musical and wrestling talents. His insulting songs towards AJ Francis went viral online. Meanwhile, his TNA entrance music managed to chart at number four in the UK Top 40, a huge achievement for any professional wrestler.
His appearances in NXT have only added to his incredible popularity. With a TNA World title match at TNA Slammiversary this weekend, Joe Hendry has the chance to win his first world title. He faces Moose, Nic Nemeth, Josh Alexander, Steve Maclin and Frankie Kazarian in a huge main event championship match.
However, he thinks he is already the de facto champion of the promotion, even without the belt.
Joe Hendry spoke with Sports Illustrated about his current position in TNA. The Scottish superstar took some advice that John Cena told Cody Rhodes after his loss at WrestleMania 39.
He was inspired to be the champion without the belt, and to be the face of the company even when he wasn’t being pushed as such. He took that to heart, and Joe Hendry thinks that is what he has become in TNA.
“Cody Rhodes spoke about this with Ariel Helwani, and it’s a principle I genuinely believe,” Joe Hendry said. “Cody was talking to John Cena about his loss at WrestleMania, and Cena told him to be the champion without the belt. That really hit me. In TNA, I am the champion without the belt. Now it’s time for me to win at Slammiversary.”
What is Joe Hendry’s goal for TNA/NXT collaboration?
WrestleZone Managing Editor Bill Pritchard spoke with Hendry ahead of Slammiversary. Hendry continues to make waves on TNA and NXT TV. He has also teased a potential match with John Cena. As for what his end game for the TNA/NXT collaboration, he says he’s just trying to give the best effort he can.
“To do the absolute best that I can. It’s as simple as that. That’s one thing that I’ve learned from working with great people in the industry is that, ‘All you can do is do your absolute best. Control what you can control and do your absolute best.’ And that’s all I’m going to do. Any time I’m presented with an opportunity, I’m just going to give them the absolute best that I possibly can.”
Joe Hendry says having that attitude has led to great things, including his great chemistry with former NXT Champion Trick Williams.
“We kinda wrestled and had some fun in the ring after the match. Then we shot a promo afterwards that I think the fans have really reacted well to,” Hendry said. “I don’t think there were any plans necessarily to have us like a duo. But I think people are quite enjoying the like an odd couple team of me and Trick Williams, and I actually enjoyed that too.
“I actually don’t know what direction, if any direction, things are going to go in,” Hendry pointed out. “I think the fans would like to see more. But I guess, you just have to keep tuning in to both TNA and NXT to see.”
Watch our full interview with Joe Hendry below:
