Joe Hendry is now a WWE star following years spent grinding on the unbiased scene and in TNA and ROH. Making an look on “Perception with Chris Van Vliet,” Hendry went into element on one other facet of his background: his beginner wrestling profession.
“I feel the factor about my beginner wrestling days is — it’s extremely me, it’s extremely unconventional,” Hendry mentioned. “It began as a result of I would just began skilled wrestling … and I discovered that folks weren’t taking me severely.”
Whereas he is completely okay with utilizing comedy in his wrestling, Hendry additionally wished to be revered as a menace within the ring as properly. He already had some historical past with judo, however Hendry determined to coach as a grappler, too. It was one thing he felt got here naturally to him.
“MMA has progressed massively, however again when this was occurring — this was, like, 12 years in the past, when MMA wasn’t as huge within the U.Okay., and I’d simply go to MMA gyms and roast everybody in grappling,” Hendry continued.
That solely lasted for a short time, nevertheless, as he ultimately progressed to coaching in a extra severe gymnasium in Scotland and located himself dealing with extra gifted competitors. That included former UFC fighter Paul Craig.
“I do not know if I ever took him down, to be sincere,” Hendry said.
Joe Hendry turns into British Champion enters the Commonwealth Video games
After defeating a wrestler who was slated to take part within the Commonwealth Video games, Hendry determined to take an opportunity on getting into himself. He continued coaching and, earlier than taking part within the Commonwealth Video games, he gained the British Championship in freestyle wrestling for his weight class.
“That was one of many biggest days of my life,” he mentioned. “To have the ability to name my dad on the cellphone and say, ‘I am British Champion.’ … It is not typically that I get emotional. … I will always remember that cellphone name.”
In 2018, Hendry joined Crew Scotland for the Commonwealth Video games, which had been happening in Australia. He was initially set to face Australian UFC fighter Robert Whittaker.
“I used to be like, ‘I have to be dwelling in a simulation, as a result of do not inform me that the professional wrestler is about to face the UFC Middleweight Champion on the Commonwealth Video games,” Hendry mentioned.
Hendry reached out to UFC veteran and famous professional wrestling fan Chael Sonnen forward of the combat, searching for recommendation. In keeping with Hendry, he knew that he was closely outmatched, however Sonnen inspired him to speak some trash regardless. Sonnen wrote a promo for Hendry to ship, however the combat by no means befell, as Whittaker realized he must vacate his UFC title if he determined to take part within the Commonwealth Video games.
“Then I went and acquired beat by anyone else,” Hendry mentioned, laughing concerning the scenario.
After his participation within the Video games, Hendry felt he needed to decide to give attention to one explicit facet of his life, and it was professional wrestling that gained out. Hendry spent the subsequent handful of years placing all of his effort in direction of professional wrestling, and after getting his foot within the door by WWE’s partnership with TNA, Hendry signed with the bigger firm in 2025.
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