Scott Mitchell recently spoke with Joe Hendry for an in-depth interview covering all things pro wrestling.
During the discussion, the TNA Wrestling star spoke about the success of his "I Believe In Joe Hendry" song, his entrance parodies, working with LA Knight and more.
Featured below are some of the highlights.
On the success of his "I Believe In Joe Hendry" song: “I still can’t get my head about it, to be honest. The fact that it was #1 on iTunes in the UK, Malta, #2 in Ireland, #6 in the United States, #4 overall for downloads, #6 overall for sales, and #4 on the biggest official chart in the UK. All jokes aside, we did finish above Taylor Swift. Which the week after she brought an album out, is insanity. To me, it shows the power of the professional wrestling fanbase. I’m sitting here very pleased and humbled by the support of the professional wrestling fanbases. Unbelievable.”
On when he decided to combine music, with his fun parody entrance songs, with pro wrestling: "So, it started when I went to see ICW live. It was just like ECW; it was very extreme. I always found that to be successful when you’re going into a new territory, in any endeavor in life, you have to see what the norm is and run in the opposite direction. Everyone else was being extreme, so I thought to myself what is the opposite of being extreme? So, I thought it would be this sort of pop-star character. That’s how it started. Then, it moved into parodies when I got into the song “In the Air Tonight” by Phil Collins. I thought to myself that would be a great entrance, and then I thought I could do “Joe Hendry in The Air Tonight.” It started there, then it moved on to “Hendry Ball.” That was a funny one. The way the size of the venue was meant we couldn’t get the inflatable ball backstage after the doors opened. So, the ball couldn’t be inflated backstage. It had to be inflated on the ramp and brought up the ramp. It had to sit in guerilla until it was time for the match. So, that meant once it was inflated it couldn’t be re-inflated. It was losing air, and so I put it on and if you watch it back, it’s quite deflated. When I practiced it one more time before the doors opened, I smashed my head on the ground because it wasn’t blown up enough. Thankfully, when we did it live, I did the roll and I landed on the ramp. It was one of those things where I very nearly didn’t do the roll. I was just going to walk out, but I remember a colleague telling me I had to do the roll. Even if I rolled down to the end of the ramp and failed it was still going to be funny. That was when I committed 100% to these entrances began. Win, lose, or draw, it just requires full commitment."
On working with LA Knight during his run as Eli Drake in IMPACT: “So, the thing is people didn’t know that I didn’t have a Visa. I could not work in the United States, I was only allowed to do shows in Canada and Mexico. So, people think that it was a failed first run because I was only there three or four times, it was the only show in Canada and Mexico. I literally couldn’t continue my run because I didn’t have the Visa to do so. Me and LA Knight worked together three times, in a small program. I think we had the potential to do something special with that. I think he’s phenomenally talented. He doesn’t always get to verbally spar with someone who can give it back. I don’t think he was used to that. When someone gets under your skin a little bit and blurs the lines, it brings out the absolute best in you. So, as you saw Jordynne Grace at the Royal Rumble, nothing is off the table now. There’s a lot of money to be made in me versus LA Knight. I think the fans would want to see that too.”
On working with Brian Myers and winning his first TNA Digital Media title: “So, I’ve always said this. When you look at what I’m doing right now and the success I’m having, it takes an army of people to get you there. It takes an army of people to help you develop anything you need to. I don’t want to leave anyone out. But the guys I worked with the most since I came back, is The System. Those guys have been instrumental to my success as a professional wrestler, specifically Brian Myers. I’ve probably wrestled Brian Myers more than anyone else in the company. The guy is world-class. That’s who they all are, just world-class. Even by just being in the ring with them, you can’t help but get better. Genuinely, I felt like my life was a simulation when I won it. I couldn’t believe it. From where I was six months earlier, I had to make the difficult decision of sinking all the money I had saved up into getting my Visa to take the chance to come over here and TRY to get a deal. That was the biggest gamble financially and in terms of energy that I can recall taking. It paid off in spades. But, I look back to that time and see how tough it was, but it was never a question. I had friends tell me not to do it and I’m crazy, but it paid off. I’m glad I showed enough belief in myself to double down and do it.”
On how important it is to work under the TNA brand name: “In terms of the legacy, as a fan, I can recall watching TNA in 2003. I recall being 15 years old on holiday in the pool imagining what it would be like winning a title in TNA. Then I won a title in TNA, it’s just madness. To say I work for TNA wrestling is pretty cool. It’s a brand that people know, and are a fan of, and it has equity, so it was very exciting to go back. Honestly, I feel like ever since we went back we’re on a hot streak.”
Check out the complete interview via the YouTube player embedded below.
