WrestleMania 41: An Unforgettable Night
Over 60,000 wrestling enthusiasts filled Allegiant Stadium for the second night of WrestleMania 41. The energy from the previous night was still palpable, creating an environment charged with excitement and anticipation. Fans were eager to see what surprises were in store during this much-anticipated WWE event.
Randy Orton, a WWE star, made his entrance, crawling around the ring while waiting for a challenger. Notably, he didn’t have a designated opponent, which left the stage open for anyone to step in. This Las Vegas night was special—not only for Orton, marking his 20th WrestleMania appearance, but also for another individual who emerged onto the entrance ramp.
“Say his name and he will appear.”
That name? Joe Hendry. Known for his time as TNA World Champion, Hendry’s presence signified a historic first—his appearance as a TNA-contracted superstar at WrestleMania. It was a testament to how support from wrestling fans can significantly impact careers.
“It was an unbelievable moment,” Hendry shared. “I think that’s a moment that surpasses your wildest dreams. Walking out of WrestleMania had me thinking, ‘Is this a dream?'” He recalled being backstage, viewing a tribute to Orton’s two-decade journey in the business, making it a perfect backdrop for his own unexpected moment. “I’m incredibly grateful for it.”
Though Hendry moved on from TNA around seven months later, he quickly established himself as a star within WWE, joining the NXT roster due to his familiarity with its rising talents.
Despite facing setbacks, including a loss in a title match at NXT Deadline’s Iron Survivor Challenge, Hendry rebounded by winning a ladder match against several competitors to claim the vacant NXT Championship earlier this month.
“It means the world,” he reflected about becoming NXT Champion. “It’s humbling, representing the brand while realizing the immense talent at the Performance Center. It feels surreal, yet it’s a responsibility I take seriously.”
Hendry’s journey to professional wrestling wasn’t conventional. He credits his love for the sport to WWE video games and influential matches from the Attitude Era. He was captivated by various elements of wrestling, such as ring attire and entrance music, that transform characters into icons.
His background includes winning gold medals in freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling before embarking on his professional career. He performed across various promotions, including Ring of Honor and World of Sports Wrestling, eventually returning to TNA later known as Impact Wrestling.
So when did Hendry truly start believing in himself? He recalls, “I remember achieving my black belt in judo. It marked a significant milestone in my life, demonstrating that I could complete something. Then I realized that the challenge lies in getting close to your limits and pushing past them.” He recognizes that many find that hard, but emphasizes the importance of allowing oneself to succeed.
“Fortunately, it was a ladder match, and I managed to become NXT Champion.”
Now, Hendry stands as the champion and symbolic face of NXT. He’s not alone; Drew McIntyre also holds a championship title, preparing to defend it at WrestleMania 42.
“Drew once mentioned how Scotland is only a small fraction of the world population, yet we hold a significant portion of WWE titles. I feel proud to have worked alongside Drew. In our independent days, he was like our Undertaker. It’s inspiring to see him now as the undisputed WWE Champion while I represent NXT. I appreciated that he challenged me, helping to bring out my best. It would be great if our paths crossed again.”
