"The Masked Man" strikes again, The Uso brothers are back, and an exclusive Joe Hendry interview

27:59I'm so sorry, but it's GG's right now. Y 'all got to just pass the sticks. It's not good right now. It's not good ever, but it's not good right now. They not go like that. That was raw. How about this? How about the big thing? So before the NXT world title match between Ricky Saints and Obafemi, who shows up but Cody Raheem Rhodes? Yes. And he tells these two. And by the way, this was kind of like slipped in there like, wait a minute, what? He lets them know that whoever, whomever, walks out of that ring with the NXT championship is going to get a chance to face him at Saturday night's main event.

28:46Now, I'm not sure if it's a title match or not. Maybe I missed it. I'm assuming it probably isn't. But I don't know. Do you know? No, no, it's not a title match. Not a title match. No. But that's something, man, because it kind of goes back to my idea months and months and months ago that Obafemi should be the one to retire John Cena. And obviously that is not going to be the case. But now we're going to get Cody Rhodes against Oba Femi at Saturday night's main event. And it's what a way to introduce Oba Femi to the worldwide WWE audience, man. The universe, some may say. But TJ, your idea of having Oba go against John Cena was to give Oba the rub of, you know, this guy.

29:40It will be the future face of the company. It didn't pan out that way, but what's another way to get that out there, that feeling out there, that idea out there, have him go against the face of the company? Who be one? Yep. And honestly, I know what y 'all gonna say, but I got the microphone. Oba should win. Oba should win, and Oba should win clean. I know. Think about Kevin Owens going against John Cena back in the day. What that did. John could afford that loss. You think Cody can't afford a loss? Look at the size of Ova. Cody's very protected in the company. He might be the most protected wrestler in the business outside of maybe I was going to say Kenny Omega, but even he isn't, I don't think, as protected as Cody is.

30:39It would be very interesting to see, but the right thing to do, as much as you've built that dude up, as much as you've made him be this force, and the fact that he just got back from his time off, he's only had, oh, I guess he's had two matches. But Oba's got to win. I agree with you. It's my Stephen A. Smith voice. Don't play with me. Gotta go over. Oba Femi's gotta be the man. Goldberg is my favorite wrestler of all time. Ain't that weird? I do agree, obviously, that Oba should go over. It's not gonna be clean, though. Drew, McIntyre, friend of the show, is going to interfere with this match, cost Cody and Oba's going to get the dub in the non-title match.

31:39I like that. That's kind of how I feel. That's safe. I've completely forgot Cody and Drew have this thing going on. That's the safer bet. That's the safer way to do it. I'm fine with that. That's a win-win-win. It's a win. You push that storyline forward. You keep Oba. Yeah, perfect. We go back and forth about this whole the last time is now tournament which was won by the ring general. Gunther! You know, a lot of people were in their feelings about that. Some people say, like, Cena made it seem as though he was going to elevate a new talent. Some people don't like the fact that it was, you know, Gunther that won.

32:19And, you know, I'm kind of torn because I feel like my idea might have been better than this whole tournament, but whatever. Didn't happen. But the thing about Gunther is he, you know, he's believable, man. And it's going to be very interesting to see what they do with this match. Here's the thing. Today on the Rich Dyson Show, we had a guest on the show, and it was Gunther, the ring general, as he came on the show. And Rich was, you know, cool enough to kind of let me run this interview with him. And, you know, we got a lot of no contest mentions out there, just so you know. I think that was on the main show.

33:03But one thing I found interesting, and I brought up the fact that Gunther, and let me see if, just make sure I have this quote right. Gunther said that in his promo on Raw, he promised to choke the hustle, loyalty, and respect out of Cena. And he vowed that he would eventually give up. So I asked him that. Amongst other things, I was like, you mentioned that you wanted him to give up. I'm like, is that something that you're looking forward to doing? I'm like, because Cena hasn't tapped out since I think it was 2008, the current angle. And basically Gunther said that his goal is to grab John Cena by his neck and pull back and wait and watch his hand hit the mat.

33:49And he chokes him out and he makes him give up. So that's what Gunther is looking forward to doing Or what he's looking to do To John Cena In his final retirement match And also asked him about Being the person who retired Goldberg And the possibility of retiring John Cena I think we had a great interview with him And everybody if you get a chance Check out the video on YouTube The Rich Eisen Show It'll be out soon But, yeah, he's looking not to just powerbomb him and get in the windshade. He wants to tap John out. He wants to make him quit in this final match. So that's interesting. It's going to be a very exciting Saturday.

34:36A lot of tears in a lot of people's eyes, I'm sure. And if he'd take out Goldberg and he'd take out Cena, if I'm AJ Styles, I'm watching my back that whole next year, bro. Yeah, I asked him, I said, are you prepared to be the most hated man in wrestling? That was Randy? The legend killer? I could not stand Randy, bro. And by the way, his face lit up when I asked him that question. He's ready for it. He doesn't feel that the people deserve to be happy. What an evil, awesome human being. Now, TJ, we've been yapping and earlier we had a guest. We had a guest. you and your New York state of mind had to creep in on it a little bit.

35:23Yeah, we were still filming the main show wrapping up, so it took me a little bit to get into the interview with. Yeah, and you healthy, so you'd be walking, and you can't get a cab. But, yeah. Did I mention it was cold? Yeah, I just, you know, we've been, usually we say our guest's name in the beginning, and like the intro, but it's a strange situation. So let me just get to it.

36:17Study and play. Come together on a Windows 11 PC. And for a limited time, college students get the best of both worlds. Get the Unreal College Deal. Everything you need to study and play with select Windows 11 PCs. Eligible students get a year of Microsoft 365 Premium and a year of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate with a custom color Xbox wireless controller. Learn more at windows.com slash student offer. While supplies last, ends June 30th. Terms at aka.ms slash college PC. Next guest on the No Contest Wrestling Podcast is a man of many skills. He's an accomplished singer, guitarist. The man is a former TNA world champion and hater of Superman.

37:00Say his name and he'll appear. Joe Hendry, welcome to the No Contest Wrestling Podcast, man. Thanks for having me. You threw me off there, but yeah, I'm not a Superman guy. Yeah, hey. Not about it. Me neither. I like he's so like really. Yeah. Thank you. Anybody who just says their favorite superhero is Superman is just like such a cop out. Like, yeah, you got no struggles. Like, yeah, we get it. We need some flaws, man. We need some flaws. Exactly. Heavy Batman guy. I'm like, I'm a huge Batman guy because like I could be if I if you put your mind to it and you got the financial backing. backing you could be batman it's just like you know he's a real guy that's why like chael sunnan was always my favorite mma fighter because he would just be honest about how he was feeling mentally before going into certain competitions and he would be real whereas like there's other guys who would just destroy everybody but chael would be real about what he thought he might do and what he was afraid of and it was so relatable and that to me is so much more interesting than somebody who just destroys everybody you know relatability is lackability man so you know just to get into this um what uh we like to do here at the no contest wrestling podcast for our first time guests um when did you get bit by the wrestling bug what age you know what was it that kind of uh set you on this path so i was not a wrestling fan as a young kid i got into it as a teenager my cousins were big fans but i never had in the uk you needed sky or cable to watch it and i didn't have any until much later the first time i ever saw wrestling though i was i was a kid and the first time it had an impact on me was in the UK at 10 p.m or 9 or 10 p.m cartoon network switched over and I saw Ric Flair wrestle I was watching cartoon network and then all of a sudden I'm seeing Ric Flair and I was like I hate this guy but I didn't really know what wrestling was but Ric Flair was so good at his job I hated him and the thing is like Ric Flair is like in my top three favorite wrestlers ever now so that was that's the first time i can remember wrestling really having an impact on me i became hooked when i actually got into it through the video games um i first got uh war zone and i enjoyed the ability to create your own wrestlers and characters and at that time i remember like i i used to put movie characters in the game and all this and i was i liked it being creative with the the games that was my main thing and then i started going let me watch some of this.

39:51And then around the sort, the end of that, it's when I became absolutely hooked, probably about 15 years old is when I was like, I'm going to be a wrestler, but I never actually had had the balls to do it until I was 25. Oh man. I mean, 24 turned 25. It's definitely, you know, it's a hard job to just commit to. It's the hardest.

40:17You mentioned video games. that's kind of the same way that I got introduced to wrestling. Fans of the show know I talk about my big brother, Daryl, who introduced me to wrestling through the Sega Genesis or the Mega Drive. And I played a WWF. I really appreciate the fact that you've given our European viewers a bit of a shout out there by mentioning the Mega Drive. Thank you. I have a Mega Drive. For people who don't know, that's the European version of the Genesis. But carry on. we're friends already absolutely man um but yeah so i i was playing uh wwf raw was the game and my brother introduced me to bam bam bigelow sean michaels uh doink the clown undertaker and it was through this game and then one day he was like yeah you know we could watch this and then from there it was like oh i'm hooked because it was the crazy should not have been watching i you You know, like at the age I should not have been watching, but it was just I couldn't put it down.

41:21I still haven't put it down. And I mean, now it's my other job. Now, yeah, you mentioned gaming. Now, TJ's not here. So I could get to, you know, I get to really crack into this. What is what is gaming do for you? And like, is it still like you still got the Twitch going on? So I think I was the third wrestler to get a partnership on Twitch. the number three back in 2017 i think it wasn't so it's pretty much my full-time job for a couple of years and i've got such fond memories of me and my brother used to play pub g and i actually fast forward i was in pub g mobile which was crazy and now i still play it with my cousin so it's this weird kind of family thing that we kind of use it to to keep in touch So for me, video games are a chance to let me like, like you say, being a wrestler is really hard.

42:19You have to do it at this level. You have to give it everything that you've got all the time. So you've got to be really strategic with the time off that you have. And, you know, just putting an hour or two aside to, you know, just throw on the Xbox. And it's more of a social thing for me now. I actually I don't know if you feel this way, but when I get so like right now, I am obsessed with getting better at wrestling and trying to be the absolute best professional wrestler that I can be. And that is for me, the primary reason why I chose to come to NXT was to, to evolve as a wrestler and to, cause I really feel I can take this all the way.

42:58And the performance center has tools for me to do that, but I become like, I am obsessed with getting better so i actually find it super hard to switch off from the wrestling business and relax but if my friends and family are kind of playing games and stuff then i can kind of go okay like i it's tough for me i do miss the days of being able to play single player games but now i'm just like oh i could have used that hour to you know improve in this way or that way and it's it's it's tough man but i think play using games as a social thing is a great way to kind of unwind for an hour or two for me absolutely uh it's it's definitely like the way that i describe it to people who don't get gaming is it's my glass of wine at the end of the day like i need like yeah you know just let me get like 45 to an hour on the sticks back in my you know my my prime i would give you three four hours knock that out easy but like you know just finding that time to kind of unwind disconnect a little bit from the drama of the real world but i i feel that completely but you mentioned pub g i will say we had aj styles on and during the interview he panned his camera and he had pub g on pause while he was doing the interview so if you get a chance you gotta hit up the phenomenal one man you know i've heard this is this is the situation that not only is it impossible to be better than AJ Styles as a wrestler apparently he's a world-class gamer as well so he's doing everything yeah he's a sicko dude you know

44:40now me and my partner TJ Jefferson when we first met you was behind Gorilla and TNA now we always describe TNA as probably the funnest time that we've had as wrestling fans at a wrestling event because of it was just a feeling of camaraderie there at TNA it really did feel like everyone cared about like the other one succeeding can you talk about the environment that you experienced over at TNA now that you're over at WWE I think that I've been incredibly fortunate in that for the way I've been most lucky in my career as I've been able to experience different portions of the wrestling industry in particularly hot periods of time so it's when I when I first started my second show was with ICW in Scotland which was like the biggest indie in the world for quite a long time actually and they went on to doing 6 000 people in the um in the hydro so it was i got to experience that right at the start and then i got to experience what culture pro wrestling and which again when that was doing thousands and then i got to experience you know there was a reboot of world of sport i got to experience a ring of honor and then i got signed to tna after the pandemic and for me like it was that was almost like a rebirth of my career because it was like wrestling was completely taken away from me like in the uk there just wasn't you know wrestling for like a couple of years so i knew i was kind of it was do or die time and i had to give it everything and for me like i've made so many amazing friends so many great colleagues from tna and then the partnership just worked um so well i'm extremely grateful to both companies for working together in the way that they did to put me in the best position to give my best efforts.

46:47And I feel like we achieved a situation where everybody won. You know, it was like TNA won, WWE won, I won. Like it was the roster won. And I think that right now, you know, it's just been, I'm very grateful for my time at TNA Wrestling. And I've got a lot of friends there and I'm super happy for them too and the success that they're having. And for me, like, I'm super excited for this phase of my career because I'm just, I'm so excited about the journey that I'm on and just, you know, what I'm learning and the positions that I'm in. And like right now, for example, Leon Slater is one of my best friends.

47:27And we were both in the main event of a WWE PLE. And things like that are just, they don't come around every day, you know. And to be put in a situation like the Iron Survivor, which is such a complex but exciting match, that was a real step up for me. And to be able to do that with one of my best friends, and he's still in TNA, I'm here. It's just an amazing time for professional wrestling, and I'm very excited. Absolutely. I think we have figured it out. I think we got an introduction to my man, TJ Jefferson, the best in the world. What's going on, man? hey yo what's up what's up Joe hello how are you I'm good brother sorry about that we're in New York working we're in New York working and you know we just had some internet problems trying to get logged on but here we are now here we are I had a great interview with Gunther today by the way that guy's not intimidating at all but but surprisingly very very nice guy man believe it or not the bad guys always are man except so i came and plus i knew i could you know come in a little late because i figured you guys would start talking video games and you know i really the only thing i know joe is donkey kong and miss pac-man and some super tech mobile so i usually just let him handle that Damn.

49:02That's old school. Damn. You said damn.

49:09Yes, sir. Original Donkey Kong. That's going back. Yeah, Joe, I'm talking like the little mini arcade game. It was like, yeah, yay big. That's where Mario was the heel. Yeah, right. A lot of people don't understand that, you know. Donkey Kong was just minding his business. Minding his business, bro. Minding his business. Here comes this dude, and he brings his brother later, and they're trying to hit my man with a mallet and some barrels and stuff. Donkey Kong was chilling. Yeah, and we cheer Mabby on. It's all about perspective. TJ, that's the most video game talk I've ever heard you say, bro.

49:47I'm impressed. Well, Joe Hendry just brought it out of me. I feel you, man. We were just talking about his time in TNA and what it meant to him. and also Joe there's no way to get around it because we talked about how you know it's just an amazing time with the partnership you and Leon Slater being able to be in a main event of a PLE but you were at the PLE you were able to get not only a spot at Mania but I'm talking a pop that blew the roof off the place talk to us about what it felt like to go down that ramp with the tna title at wrestlemania what's going through your mind um it was one of those situations where it was so ludicrously big of an opportunity that there wasn't any time to overthink it which i was very grateful for in retrospect because i talked to someone about this other day i actually had three bookings that day the day of wrestlemania i was at wrestle kid and then i or wrestle it was wrestlecon or wrestle anyway it was at wrestlecon thank you so it was wrestlecon and then i went from wrestlecon to go to um like the um where wwe had the the merchandise set up and the signings and then a signing with wwe and then i arrived so that was like two bookings done i'd been going for like 10 hours or something by that time and then i got to to wrestlemania in disguise in this car and we're in traffic as wrestlemania is going on and i'm like man this is this is intense yeah i i didn't take my disguise off until uh they took me to a little room and one of the coolest moments ever was they said here's your wrestlemania shirt and i was like oh my god like it was a complete surprise i didn't see it until that moment so that shirt that was wearing at wrestlemania that was presented to me like as i was going to gorilla so that was such a cool feeling um and yeah it's just been such an incredible year like i've got in my um in my main room we in the uk we call it a living room what's the main room called here in the united states so in my living room i've got like we have these kind of um like uh these these little titles that you can have to um remember the events like fans can buy them and they're so cool they're in these little cases but i've got one for rumble i've got one for wrestlemania with the kind of i was there type thing and it's just so cool man i've got so many positive memories of that day like just you You know, just of that week, working with Randy was just, it's so exciting when you just, the opportunity is so beyond anything that you could possibly fathom.

52:43And you just think, man, I thought back to all the struggle, all the times where you're just like, I remember being broke and just thinking it just doesn't matter how hard it is. I'm going to keep pushing. I won't be denied. I'm going to keep going. And then to have moments like this where you feel it all pays off in one huge fell swoop of a moment that you just couldn't possibly fathom. It was, I'm super grateful that that moment, I got to have that moment. Like no one can ever take that away from me. I wrestled Randy Orton in a featured match at WrestleMania. It's just, it's insane. Sometimes I have to see it to go, oh yeah, that happened.

53:23Which is, it's wild. It's wild, man. yeah dude we were in the building um yeah and that when that music hit it was like no way like there was like a feeling of just like there's like a man it felt like electricity from our perspective so we can only imagine walking to the ramp having to like kind of run through what you got to do once you get in the uh the ring well look let me tell you this so i'm i'm in gorilla and the moment when it really sunk in was i'm watching the video package for randy's 20th wrestlemania and i'm just like i'm i'm enjoying the video package oh this is a great video package and i'm like oh it's me it's me i remember um so triple h came over to me and uh we had a great moment and he told me um you know and i don't mind sharing this because he shared it publicly that night as well and he said you will do uh you will do many more of these but this one is the fun one uh so go enjoy it and i just that was so cool and then they loaded me up and kind of where i make my entrance and there's like a video wall that opens behind me so i'm standing here while randy's doing his promo with my back to the entrance for probably about two minutes and like on most events it's usually five seconds i'll stand there before my entrance plays and it's very tense and you're waiting you're just waiting for that you know audience reaction but to stand there for like two minutes and you know that at some point that video wall is going to open up and the music is going to play and that two minutes man i can still feel it just all the thoughts that were going through my head and then to spin around like i you know all i can describe it as it was like a wave of energy and it felt like something physical was like pushing me back as I was walking to the right it's a feeling I really have tried to put it into words to explain it but you just can't I uh I'm super grateful uh that I got to to to have that opportunity and it really just motivated me to work even harder and become the star that I know that I can be and the truth is like for WWE to put me in that position yeah um that that's what I never have a big responsibility I have to live up to the opportunities that they're giving me you know and that's something that a lot of people don't grasp the people who don't watch wrestling is like there are moments me and TJ talked about you know just the the moments that they trust Dominic with or, you know, that when you get the company's trust for a big moment, it says so much more than people realize of just putting a name on a piece of paper.

56:14Like, it is that trust from the company, like, it makes or breaks people. So, we were extremely happy for you. So, have you guys discussed— Oh, sorry. Go ahead, Joe. I'm sorry. I was just going to say, when you get that trust, you must treat it with the utmost respect. for the company, for your colleagues, and for the people who, the fans, for everyone who's been advocating for you to get these opportunities, you have to prove them right. You have to do your best to show them that their trust was well-placed. So the Royal Rumble. Yeah. Before we even get to WrestleMania, you had, now, O'Shea and I, we were in, you know, we were second row there, and you had your Royal Rumble moment.

57:03and when your music hit it was the same thing man let's let's talk about that a little bit what was that feeling like So that one was it was that was also just insane. And yeah, it was it was that was like my first experience of a huge event like that. And I was hoping that I'd get a good reaction, but to get the level of the reaction that I got, it was just mind blowing. And then, you know, to be able to go in the ring and work with, you know, like, so work like with The Miz and Sheamus and Roman Reigns. And it was just like it was such an insane visual to see me, to watch it back and see me in the ring with Roman Reigns and feel like I belonged.

57:57And in that moment, it was it was incredible, to be honest. And I remember one of the best pieces of advice that I got given. And this is something that JBL pulled me aside, you know, when I was in TNA and had this conversation with me. The Miz had this conversation with me that when you're doing these, like you have these big moments, whether it's a title win or a huge PLE or something like that. You have to take a moment to just look around and see the scope of the arena and feel the energy and understand the magnitude of what's going on. even just for a couple of seconds, just take it in because it will be over in a flash.

58:34Your music will hit, you'll blink and you'll be in the back and you'll be done. That's what they told me. It will be gone in a flash. So you have to enjoy it and be in the moment when you're out there. And yeah, thankfully I got that advice before I had these opportunities. So I was able to do that when I was out there and it was a great feeling. Yeah, I heard Jimmy Hart once and I can't remember the moment he was saying, But Jimmy Hart was doing an interview and he said when it was going on, before he left, he stopped and he took a look around at the audience and everything. He goes, because I want to make sure I remember this for the rest of my life.

59:13You know, and so, yeah, what you said that that really resonates. And with these pops that you've been getting, man, what do you attribute your popularity to, man? Because you get these pops like, I mean, people would die to get the reaction. that you get so i guess the first question man they believe so i guess the first question is what do you attribute this popularity to it's insane and two like how did you come up with did you do this whole spin thing was that before like the crowd got into it or was that something that you already were doing and just it just resonated with folks so i mean there's a there's a number of factors that go into getting me here in terms of like my approach to it um you know First of all, I wrote the song.

1:00:00And I wrote the song because I wanted a more upbeat theme song, something that the fans would get involved with. And I thought, what can they do to interact with me whilst they're in their seat or standing? And I was like, well, they can clap their hands and they can wave their hands. So the chorus is wave your hands. And visually, you see the clapping your hands. In the first version of the video that I had, you know, six years ago now, the spin was just, it was a look to camera. But that's when I was learning the differences between the sort of British style of humor and entertainment and bringing that over to America.

1:00:36So it's kind of like the difference between the UK office and the US office when it comes to taking an idea and bringing it into the world of wrestling. Wrestling is theater. Wrestling is big. It's over the top. So this became the full spin around with the smile legs. So that's kind of how I developed that. I think that one of the things that took it to the next level for me is, you know, when I did the song on AJ Francis, that came out the same week as my single came out. So those two moments combined, that kind of was a big part in kicking everything off. um but also i think what really took it to the next level was when i you know i started to do some interviews like i did a chris van i've done a couple of chris van vliet interviews and i was just very open about my approach uh to the business and i think fans have resonated with the fact that you know i was never the guy who you know will just win everything the first try But all throughout my life, I have just committed to just picking myself back up over and over and over again.

1:01:46And no matter how long it takes and no matter how long I have to try, I will I will get it done, you know. And so that includes, you know, everything that I've done music wise. I also start when I started professional wrestling, I wasn't satisfied with my spot. So I started amateur wrestling. I started fighting for real. and I won my uh I won the the British Championship um in Greco and freestyle wrestling and then I took those accomplishments back to wrestling because I thought well that's going to give me you know legitimacy in because I just wanted to legitimize myself in professional wrestling but that was a I remember people telling me like oh you can't start this sport at 26 and expect to do anything but I took it to a pretty high level for um for you know to be the champion of not just Scotland but Scotland England Northern Ireland and Wales is a 26 year old that's that's you know it took me four or so years to do it I think I did all that when I was 29 30 um but that took a lot of balls to do that so I just uh I'm glad that I did those things I've taken a lot of risks you know to kind of put myself out there like that I could I could have failed it could it could have you know it could have been a tough road for me but i've taken a lot of risks i've bet on myself so many times i've been uh i i've poured all my money and energy into professional wrestling and i think people can resonate with you know it's like it's never too late you know that that's my message is it's never too late you if you have a goal and you have a dream just go out there and get it done and if you have enough belief in yourself and you try to carry yourself you know Nobody's perfect, but I really do try my best to give as much as I can to this job and to the fans that support me.

1:03:38And I do try to do my best for this great business. And I feel that people resonate with that. And I'm super grateful for it in the spot that I'm in in life. Yeah, even, you know, in the short time of speaking with you now, your, I mean, your intelligence is shining through. just the fact that you have a mind for not only you know your your physical attributes which what we talked about earlier but you know you just uh you're you're finding ways to kind of in unorthodox ways still get it done you know that's the i might be the business degree popping out but like you You got a mind for it where you have all these situations where, you know, you started late or, you know, you say you want to be a wrestler, but then you don't start until 10 years later and still find a way to make it work.

1:04:35And then while you're wrestling, knowing to use your other skills with being a vocalist and the guitar and using that to skyrocket yourself. So I would ask, where does that attitude come from? Who are the people in your life that make the Joe Hendry we know today?

1:05:03That's tough. I was very fortunate and I had a lot of positivity from my parents. You know, that was a huge positive for me. Like my dad has always been just like he's all he had belief in me before I had belief in myself. You know, I've also been lucky to have incredible support from mom and my stepdad. But my dad like told me that I was going to do these great things. And I remember I used to do judo as a kid. And my dad, I was like, oh, yeah, this guy got his black belt. And, you know, but I only do this. my dad was like you you can get your black belt if you want and i remember distinctly saying to i was like no no i was like i was a teenager and i said that's not for people like me that's not for guys like me i just never saw myself as anything and then i remember when i got to 1920 something changed within me and i'd never finished anything i'd never really stood out in any way shape or form which is why you know i get a lot of fans who ask me about motivation and things like that and they don't understand that i was them like that our time people tell me they struggle with confidence and motivation there was a time where i just you know i might have outwardly been portraying that i'm this and i'm that but really just didn't have a whole lot of self-belief but everything changed for me the day i got my black belt in judo i was i think i was 20 year 21 and i remember like my dad went with me and to get your black belt in judo you can either like accumulate points or you have to beat three guys in a row with no drink or water and like you just have to smash three guys but if you don't like defeat them you can't win on points or that you have to like smash them and like pin or you have to basically throw them in such a way that you get 10 points right so i gotta beat three guys and they're all trying to do the same thing too so I oh and you got to qualify for that so my first three matches I won two or three so I qualify for this matches with three guys and then I do the first one and the first one is hard fought I get through and I'm like damn I'm tired and I just thought the next guy I saw the next guy and he was kind of practicing his throws and doing this and for some reason I just thought I'm going to destroy you like you're standing in the way of like I am like this guy was there he had all these people supporting him and he's going and he's practicing his moves and i thought you are getting destroyed the moment you get on this mat i remember he walked in i just grabbed him and just threw him to the ground that it was like immediately just like ko not literal ko but it was just like done yeah and then so i'm like oh man i got two of the three i got i got one left and then the the last fight i'm exhausted my arms are burning because you're holding on to the judo kit and it's just you're tired and you're like and somehow there's only it's like three minutes or something you got to hold them down for 30 seconds to get your 10 points in your win there's only like 45 seconds left and i'm like oh man i don't have the energy to throw him i somehow we just end up on the ground and i kind of got him down but i didn't have the full throw and i had my hands on his lapel so this was not a tight hold so this was just a battle of strength at this point i'm giving everything i got and he's starting to come up and i looked up and i saw my dad watching me and he's like come on and i'm holding him and i went close to him like this and i went no and i pushed him back and then i got and i just was like no this is my moment man yeah you're going down and then i got and then the rest called it and i was like oh my god i got my blackmail i never thought i would ever achieve anything like this and then i thought well if i can do this what else can i do that's what kicked off i just had to get one win and that's what i say to people is it's like no matter how big that was a big win but if you can put yourself in a situation where you can get some small wins and start to build them up momentum is unstoppable those smaller wins will become massive wins now that was me in some local judo tournament now i've gone all the way to wrestle randy orton at wrestlemania and that wasn't just one to the other that was just small win after small win after small and then they get bigger and bigger and bigger and you can handle more and more pressure but you've got to put yourself in these uncomfortable situations to to be able to handle it you know shit getting a black belt make me confident about everything right i'm walking down the street like who wants some i love the way you put it like this isn't like a points thing this isn't a technical thing you just got to go out there and just smash three people like that's man yeah well i mean ideally ideally you'd like to do the technical way but i just wasn't that technical unfortunately sometimes you just you know it's just yeah yeah um yeah it was just one of these things where i i think the point i was making it was just like i think sometimes in life when we have challenges is we have to really ask ourselves did am i actually given 100 or am i really given 85 you know because i'll tell you now there's uh you know 70 athletes in the performance center who are willing to give 100 so you better be willing to give 100 you know that's that's it's that simple when you're getting to the level that we're at like like the level that this takes to to be able to do to be able to be a star in wwe is it's the premier wrestling organization in the world this is this is and again wrestlemania is the it's the the grandest stage to be able to do this at this level you have to give this absolutely everything and one thing i love about the performance center is it motivate it keeps you on my toes every single day because i'm just surrounded by world-class athletes, world-class talents.

1:11:03Like they all do these physical, like this, they do like a cardio test. And I'm like, I'm going to have to go up against world-class athletes. And that just, I cannot put myself in a position where I can't, I'm not willing to show up and be embarrassed. You know, I have to be able to show up and compete with these world-class athletes. And I think that's what makes the experience of NXT so good for me is because it keeps me on my toes all the time it's uh the learning that I get there I'm working really closely with Teddy Taylor right now to just become the best professional wrestler I can be and I'm like wait a second so I get paid to go in and learn from the best coaches in the world well you know it's like I remember having to pay all this money to to do this you You know, my job is to go in and get better at the craft that I love.

1:12:00You know, it's I'm a pretty fortunate guy. That's pretty dope, man. That's what a story, man. So good, so good, so good. New markdowns up to 70 percent off are at Nordstrom Rack stores now. Stock up and stay big on shoes, tops, dresses, accessories and more must haves for summer. Join the Nordic Club to unlock exclusive discounts, shop new arrivals first, and more. Plus, buy online and pick up at your favorite rack store for free. Great brands, great prices. That's why you rack. Get business done with the new American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited card. With unlimited 2 % cash back on all eligible purchases.

1:12:44Unlimited 5 % cash back on flights and prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel Online. and a flexible spending capacity that can grow with your business, you'll have the confidence to keep building. Apply today and earn a welcome offer of$1 ,500 cash back after you spend$50 ,000 in qualifying purchases on your new card within the first six months of card membership. Terms apply. Learn more at go.amex.com. You know, Joe, I remember we met you when we were at TNA. I think the first TNA show we met, met you backstage, and I talked to him like, we'd love to get you on the pod. And you're like, yeah, we'll make it happen.

1:13:17So I'm just kind of tripping a little as I'm sitting here like, We made it happen. We said his name and he appeared. Yeah, it'd be cool to do it in person one day as well. Oh, yeah. We love a good sit-down. Like we like to say, Joe, once you're a NCW, you're NCW for life. Life, man. And the door's always open for you. So whenever you're in town in LA, come see us, man. Appreciate that, guys. I know you said you found wrestling when you were 15. Um, so, you know, from there, when you were watching, this is a question I like to ask, you know, it's just great to get from superstars. Can you remember a time where as a fan wrestling broke your heart?

1:14:04Some, an example I always use is Hulk Hogan running the rock over in an ambulance ruined my day. Like I was so hurt for like, until I see some sort of repercussion. Like, I was shook as a kid. Like, this was the worst thing in the world. So can you think of a time where wrestling broke your heart? And I'll tell you one. I don't think I've shared this with you yet, Shea. And I'm bringing it up because we spoke about Randy Orton earlier. I think it was 2011 after Edge had to retire. Christian gets the ladder match against Del Rio for the world heavyweight champion. And I was a huge, and I guess I still am a huge Christian guy.

1:14:47both in my religious stature and as the rest of the Christian. But yeah, I'm a huge Christian, Mark. And bro, just like that whole story, him, Edge coming out in the Jeep, Christian climbing the ladder, Booker T on the call, I'll never forget it. Christian's going to grab that title. He's going to grab it. He goes, I know what it feels like. It's the best moment in your life to that extent. And he gets that championship and him and Edge have that moment, right? And then SmackDown was recorded. So it happened on a Tuesday. Next thing you know, you're on the Internet seeing that Randy Orton just beat Christian World Heavyweight Championship two days after.

1:15:29Bro, now, I'm not one of these people, you know, people, some always like I'm stopping wrestling or I take a break. I've never taken a break from watching wrestling, you know, except for when I went to college and didn't have cable for a few years. when I tell you I was mad and then I watched SmackDown on Friday. It was either Thursday or Friday at that point. And the fans voted for Randy to have a match against Christian. Randy wins the title. I was so mad and like I said, I'm a Randy Orton fan. I stopped watching for like three weeks. I don't know if my heart was broken, but I was so hurt because it was such a beautiful moment.

1:16:07And this man doesn't even get a week with the title. So that's kind of my broke my heart type moment. I think for me, the match that had the biggest impact on me, and it's probably my favorite match, is, and I watched it the other week, is Ric Flair versus Shawn Michaels. And I remember it, again, being about rushing home from school, had WrestleMania taped. and I remember I don't ever remember being like this for another rest match but obviously Ric Flair's career was on the line and you know Ric Flair is my second favorite wrestler like the rock was my favorite wrestler he was kind of the he he kind of got me you know into the business in the way that that I'm into it and we all we got a thing with the rock because when you're in a stadium or you're in an arena and as soon as you hear that griff, griff, like you just oh man, it's just like a jolt sorry to interrupt that's alright, that's alright so I'm just going to be randomly later on today and that will just pop into my head I remember now you're just taking me back to SmackDown 2 now you're just taking me back alright so I remember being on the I was watching the match on the computer and I remember I was just edging forward like on the seat like you know every time something happened and I was literally on the edge of my seat like like is it going to happen and then when he you know he looked at me and he said you know sorry I love you and then did the kick it was like oh my I kind of knew it was coming but when it happened it was like oh my goodness because i just got the the rick flair uh dvd collection which is like an amazing three disc set i think that you know it's one of the best wrestling dvd sets of all time and i was obsessed with this set and i was really into it at that time so for i was kind of like you know it's funny because rick flair was the earliest memory i have of wrestling then i really started to really love his promos and his older matches so i was starting to become more and more of a fan of him at the time when he retired and it was almost like i was like oh man i wish i'd have known more about him in the years that i've been watching wrestling so it was this weird thing where i just became like a super fan of somebody and then they they were forced to retire you know so that i think that was the match that had the biggest emotional impact on me.

1:18:53Absolutely. I feel that as well because I didn't know a lot about Rick. I just saw how everyone reacted whenever he'd be on TV or whenever he was in the building. It was just like a man, it's him. It's him. When I got older and I got to see that Steamboat match, man, I was like, okay, this is the guy they all remember right here. And of course, you know, the promo promos. Say that again, TJ. I said that was the stuff that made me love wrestling, watching, you know, Flair in the early, because, you know, I started watching him in the early 80s. And the thing with Flair was, he was the champion, and he really made you understand how prestigious it was to be, you know, the national heavyweight champion.

1:19:46Because Ric Flair wasn't on TV. You know, when they started like Georgia Championship Wrestling and, you know, NWA and WCW, you know, you'd have to Saturday night at 6.05, you'd have to turn on WTBS and watch wrestling. And Ric Flair didn't come out every week. It was like a moment. It was like Ric Flair is here today. And it's just like, what? So you weren't leaving that TV. And then he came out being Ric Flair. And it's, you know, I think, Shay, you and I talked about this. We've finally gotten to an age now where kids are questioning the legends of our youth. Like, I've lived long enough, Joe, to see people question, is Michael Jordan really good?

1:20:29Was he really all that? Or, you know, Jay-Z and Eminem, were they really good rappers? Like, you know, or, you know, Ric Flair, like, what was he? You're like, no, like, what? Like, these kids just don't get it, man. They don't understand. They weren't raised right. Right? And the promos and everything. And then the Four Horsemen came. And Flair was like really the first heel that I ever saw that got cheers from the crowd, man. He was the man. It's too much the man. I show people that Starrcade entrance, and I'm just like, look at that, man. The match against Dusty? Yeah, man. With the blue rope.

1:21:08It's a movie when he comes out. Just the man. We got to get Rick now. gotta figure that out I gotta pay somebody but

1:21:22I was just gonna say one thing real quick I've actually just realized this second and this sounds like it's a shameless plug of merchandise but it's actually not I've just realized I used to have a Ric Flair t-shirt that is like the exact same font as this I don't know if you've seen one of his old t-shirts but I'm like that's pretty cool. I have official WWE merch that's in the same font as the old Ric Flair shirt. So there you go. Got to mention the shirt every so often. It's a cool shirt. I'm about to pick one of those up. Yeah, that's what I'm talking about right there. As the great Mick Foley would say, Cheap Pop.

1:22:06Cheap Pop, baby. I'll take it. Absolutely. Joe do you remember your welcome to wrestling moment A bump that you took That might have Ticked the window to sales Made you question everything I remember one time So do you know And this wasn't like For some reason This wasn't like Overly painful or You know anything like that It was more just what just happened Do you know Big Demo yeah yeah yeah so he he was my first name oh amazing yeah amazing coach um he was killian dane in wwe amazing coach um did so much for me in the early years of my career but i was wrestling him in icw and they used a 14 foot ring so he did the coast to coast but he could he did the coast to coast in wwe so he's done the coast to coast in a 20 foot ring but he is doing the coast to coast in a 14 foot ring and I remember he did the move on me and I was sitting in the against the turnbuckle like this with the ropes on either side and he does the coast to coast and he does it and I'm then I'm sitting outside the ring I'm sitting on the floor between the guardrail and I'm like how did that even happen so that was one I'm trying to think of like the worst bump the bump where I've gone oh like i mean i can't i do you know what i'm pretty i like to think and this is you know you know touch wood everyone out when they say this you know something anyway i don't want to um jinx myself but i will i will i will give you mooses because i was involved in it so i remember i was wrestling moose and and moose um was adamant about you know he's his ability to to take these insane bumps and there's one where i've got them in a i actually had moose in a sort of gorilla almost gorilla press position believe it or not and then i ran towards yeah i ran towards the ropes and gave him the press to the outside and i was kind of thinking to myself even while this was suggested to me i just couldn't get my head around how this was going to work and it was like no no it'll be fine it'll be fine and then this just fell 10 feet and he's like and it was like i heard it and it was like oh you know when all the air leaves somebody's body in a quarter of a second it was just on the floor and it was like like no way done gone like yeah so that that one was that one was tough to see um i'm trying to think if there's any other really bad ones um i've been i have to say i've been pretty i've been pretty lucky to be honest with you i've been pretty lucky when it comes to bumps and injuries and stuff like that i remember i kind of laughed because it is ridiculous but i've been wrestling for 13 years now i remember teddy taylor saying to me like well you know i mean i'm sure some i mean doing this at your age doing this as long as you have i'm sure you wake up some days and you feel pain somewhere and i was like not really

1:25:30like that i'm i'm super fortunate super grateful for my health uh hopefully it continues but yeah i've been i've been pretty lucky when it comes to to rest and i can't think of anything that was you know in insane but i will say uh taking a superplex is a weird feeling because you're just in the air for longer than you think you probably should be. It's like, it feels like you're in the air for like, it's probably only a couple of seconds, but it feels like five seconds and you're like, I haven't hit the mat yet. That's a weird one. Doing my dive, I will actually say I want to give a public apology to Stu, WWE's legendary No!

1:26:19No, don't do this that's a guy man don't do this what happened the legend the legend awesome guy i you know i get to um i get to deadline and i find out from stew that i when i wrestled trick williams at battleground i accidentally landed on stew and i want to give my oh i didn't i didn't even know i didn't know so i want to give my public apology to stew you are a legend in our industry and you know I did jokingly say after him because I did my dive at deadline as well I was just like please don't let us do again I would like to offer my sincerest apologies to Stu Joe Hendry known John Cena fan almost took out John's camera guy we're going to clip this and send it to Stu because we're big I'm a stew fan I'm a stew fan when he told me I was mortified mortified that's I but he's such a good dude he was joking with me about it which he didn't have to be so that man is a legend and yeah he was very very cool about it and he didn't have to be so I apologize I mean also So my dive is, it's unique, you know?

1:27:49It's basically just, yeah, I just throw myself over the top. Here we go. So now you'll know if you ever see me looking around, it will be to try my best to avoid stew. A stew check, if you will. Yes, exactly. So one thing you mentioned, and not for nothing, but you mentioned, you know, gorilla pressing moose. There's been many times I've watched your matches, bro. And like I said, I don't even know if I'm going anywhere with this. More of a compliment. But there's been a few times you've done stuff like that. And I'm like, damn, Joe Hendry is strong, man. Like, you pull up some random power moves.

1:28:26And I was like, what? My strength makes absolutely no sense. It makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. Like, I remember I was producing. No, I was producing. I was being produced in a match by Teddy Taylor. And I was saying, yeah, I think I can do this. and he was like, well, so let me get this straight. You're going to deadlift him, this big guy out in that position, and throw him. I was like, yeah, yeah. And there's been a couple of times where other wrestlers have gone, no, no, he can do it. He's got this weird strength thing. So, yeah, I actually think I've kind of always had it for as long as I can remember, but I am stronger than I should be.

1:29:05Like, I don't max out anymore, but, you know, during the pandemic, I was regularly squatting and deadlifting 500 pounds, you know, like regularly. So I don't know. I don't know. Yeah, I've got some weird strength thing going on. Got to believe in Joe Hendry, bro. What did you just say? Old man strength. Old man strength.

1:29:31That's what we call it. Like anytime you see like, you know, like a younger kid, like we were talking about younger kids. If you see him try to buck up to an older guy, he's like, yeah, you don't want that. He got that old man strength. Grip your ass and not let you go. Yeah. And like I said, that was just random. That's an excellent backhanded couple. Yeah, excellent backhanded couple. Joe, I'm older than you, so trust me. There was nothing backhanded. A running joke on the show is we have no idea how old TJ is because he'll say some stuff where it was like, you shouldn't have been there. And, like, it's a running gag on the show.

1:30:06although we're going to have to cut him in half and count the rings because it doesn't make sense how old he is. Right. Like some people think I'm 60. Some people think I'm, you know, 39. I'm somewhere in between the two. That's why I call him the eternal one when he was getting connected. Oh, man. Okay. Let's see. What else we got, TJ? Oh, we got to just to make sure, just to make sure, because you brought up Moose, and I thought he was going to bring up that fact that we learned, TJ, that Moose don't like heights. Uh-oh. Why would you suggest? I was going to say Moose and facts are two things that don't go together.

1:30:49I just love that. I love him. He's one of a very good friends. He's always suggesting turnbuckle stuff and he's telling Joe to lift them and throw them 10 feet and you don't like heights. it's the most insane thing ever. I can't wait to get him on. I got to talk to him. I get the heights thing. Like I, I've had like a couple of ladder matches in my career. And even just like climbing halfway up, you're like, Oh my God. So when I see Javon jump off some stuff, he jumps off. I'm just, I have respect and admiration for, for that, the courage to do the things that him and Leon do. A little snapple fact about Javon, because we talked about the Mega Drive earlier.

1:31:38He has no idea what the Sega Genesis is. Yeah, I was actually backstage. I heard him talking. Oh, no, there was a bunch of guys. We were in Guerrilla about to go out for a match, and they were mentioning that made them feel super old because Javon didn't know what this was. Was that on your podcast? Yeah, yeah. Wait a second, wait a second, wait a second. So you're telling us that guys in the company are sitting around talking about something that came from no contest wrestling? Yeah, it literally happened backstage at NXT. So I remember the conversation because I remember someone called the Genesis.

1:32:15And I was like, well, it's a mega drive for me. Yeah, the second Genesis. We could get into it. But I remember actually talking about it the other day because of the, you know what? I'm getting too deep into the lore of the Mega Drive here, but the whole music fiasco with Sonic 3, how it was like Michael Jackson really made the music for it and stuff like that. There's a lot of lore there. It's very interesting. But anyway, sorry, carry on. Absolutely, man. TJ knows. I'll go on a rant, dude. Don't tempt me. Look, I was about to sit back and let you go because... Don't tempt me, dude. Especially with Sonic.

1:32:54If you like it, we love it. Especially with Sonic, dude. Yeah, let me relax. All right, Joe. Shay, I'm still tripping, though. They know us back there. Yeah, man, we getting talked about. You see us? Good stuff. All right, Joe, a question that I want to make sure we get out because you've been very kind to us with the time you've given us, and I just want to make sure we get this out because it's our number one question. It's a situational-based question. You're in a bar. there's 50 dudes in this bar and they do not believe in Joe Hennig they don't wave their hands no clapping none of that none of this is happening I hate to tell you guys not every bar that you go into is like but okay there's 50 dudes in that bar I need you to pick a team of you and four other superstars to make sure that Joe Hendry lives on.

1:34:01Yeah, we need you to get to the concert that night, Joe. So me and four other superstars. Okay. And by the way, Joe, these can be from any era and it doesn't have to be current. You can go in the Wayback Machine and pull somebody from back in the day if you want. Okay. I'm going to go for... All right, I'm going to...

1:34:29See, that's tough. That's tough. Let me have a think. You know what? I'm going to go for... I'm going to throw... Oh, this is a tough question. This is a tough question. I'm going through... I'm going to try and pick people from when I first got into wrestling. I'm going to throw Undertaker in there. I think if it's a bar, I'm going to put Undertaker in there from around Mania 19. Because I think that is the Undertaker that is going to handle a bar fight specifically the best. I think I'm going to throw in Stone Cold there. Because again, if you remember when he came back to save the WWE from the Alliance, He was having a bit of a bar fight there.

1:35:21So that's a good one. And then you know what? I'm going to put in the APA as well. Oh, yeah. And freaking Bradshaw. That's a crew right there. That's a solid crew right there. That makes sense. Because all they like to do is drink beer and fight. Bro. That's it. That's a solid-ass team. Uncle APA. Right? Yeah. APA. What does APA love? Smoking cigars, drinking beer, and whipping ass. what's taker like drinking jack daniels whooping ass same with stone cold so i got a feeling joe that you you might not even have to take a swing in that fight they might just like you know handle everybody for me the live music oh yeah i'm i'm spin i'm spinning around and running to the door while while they'll do that oh yeah i'll take karaoke i'll i'll kind of sell the situation here's what i think should happen as everyone else is doing the work for you you got your guitar and you're just playing their theme music.

1:36:19As each guy, as someone's getting popped, you're playing the takers on the, you know, then you're playing Stone Cold and APA, you know, you're just having a little show while everyone's getting decimated, you know? Yeah. I like that for you. Yeah. Our producer Don said the bar would be out of liquor. That's for sure. And it also seems like those would be the type of guys who after they kick everybody's ass would like, all right, let's get a drink together. Why we got to leave? All right. Now you've done a lot of things. You've been around the world and I, I, I you're a man of many hats, but what some people might not know is you were also a lawyer.

1:37:00You were Rusev and lawyer. Tell us the story behind that. Because for those who aren't aware, it's a pretty interesting one. I'm at a trial. out and as it turns out they've hired two people specifically to be rusev's lawyers and i'm not one of them but someone says to me i make sure you bring your red tie tomorrow and i was like red tie and i was like you know you get told everything's a test so i'm like oh god i guess i better go out and buy a couple red ties sure i was listening so i bought a red tie showed up to the building and i said excuse me i was just wondering what were the red ties for and he says oh um the uh the the the lawyers need to get the the red ties and i'm like oh i must be the lawyer then so what i didn't realize is that two guys had not only been uh paid to do it but they'd shaved their head in anticipation for this part so and it was um you know someone who who unfortunately is not with us anymore he was a very dear friend of mine lionheart he was one of the people and then the other person i forget his name but they were um both hired to do it and they said where are my lawyers and so we me and lionheart put our hands up and uh he's like all right come this way so this so that this other poor guy had actually not only shaved his head but had been brought in specifically for this part has now been left in the dust so we go down to the ring and they say um all right okay so here's here's what you got to say and it was this huge thing and i thought to myself i just knew in my heart that i was like we we weren't required to know off by heart in the rehearsal but i just knew in my heart that if i had it down in by memory that I would just get it.

1:39:00I just knew in my heart. And that's what I did. So I just memorized it as best as I could, got it in there. And tried my best to do a Russian accent, but it was like Sean Connery, Russian accent. So welcome to the rock. Yeah, exactly. So I went in there and they just says, yeah, you'll do. So that's how it happened. And I remember it's interesting. and I saw Lara and CJ and Rusev at WrestleMania. And it was very cool to see them because it was just like a very, it was an early moment in my career. And she spoke about it recently and she was saying, oh, you know, and she was putting me over for doing a great job.

1:39:43But the truth is, like, I was actually pretty nervous. And I remember there was a moment where I was like, oh, God, I don't know if I can do this. I'm about to go on, you know, international television and have to, there was a lot to remember. And then I got to open up the thing and the rest of it was there. But there was a lot of it to remember from memory. And yeah, I just remember the pressure and just having to have a word of myself and go, no, just go out and get it done. And there was a moment where I kind of lost it for a second, but I just looked around and then went back to it and I got right back on track and I got through it and got it done.

1:40:20So that was super high pressure. That was the first big, big, big pressure moment in my career. And, yeah, it was a great experience. It was very motivating to see the WWE and to want to do it and want to be there. But the truth is I had to go on a journey and take a long road to get to the WWE. And I've finally done it. You know, I remember my first ever wrestling promo. that I do actually have it, still have it, from 2013 was when I caught a promo on wanting to learn at the Performance Center, and it's taken me a long time to get there, but I made it, and I did it, and I made good on what I said I was going to do in my first ever promo.

1:41:02So I was very satisfied. You can't wait for opportunities. Sometimes you've got to make opportunities, TJ. Yeah, no doubt, man. Yo, does it ever, like, discourage you that it took you you know a little bit longer than maybe you had anticipated to get to where you want to be or did you just look at it like part of the journey part of the path i gotta take and you know just no firm in your belief no regrets like i've lived i've had the chance to do so many things i've had you know i've won amateur wrestling championships i won had businesses i've had the chance to uh you know i did judo i did music i went to you know i got my master's degree i've lived so many lives and i'm so grateful for every part of it and i'm glad that this is the path i've taken because it's allowed me to really appreciate it and really do my best to not take it for granted so no regrets no ragrats so you said ragrats no ragrats as they say let me ask i'm sorry shay go ahead no no no go ahead tj uh well here's another question we like that to ask joe you know we already told you you're you're ncw for life and you're part of the family you know we're gonna let you know where we keep the spare key when you're in town you just let yourself in the crib raid the fridge do whatever you do but uh in the garage don't tell everybody this joe because we don't offer this to everybody we have a delorean okay I don't know if you're familiar with Back to the Future.

1:42:39So we're going to let you borrow this DeLorean, right, brother? And what I want you to do is I want you to take this DeLorean and go back in time, right? And I want you to give us five wrestlers that you would love to have had a or have a main event at WrestleMania with. Five wrestlers from any era, any point in time.

1:43:06The car is already ready to go Alright The Rock Rick Flair

1:43:24Man this is a really tough question To answer And you know what You try to keep it light Joe no i i just can't i can't do it guys because i just i have belief that i will main event at wrestlemania like i have that belief so i just for me talking about this is just it's it's fun and games like guys this is gonna happen i'm gonna do everything in my power to actually make this happen it's it's still feasible it's still possible um the one that I guess is, is, you know, Ric Flair. So if we go back wrestlers that are, you know, that are not wrestling anymore, Ric Flair would be one.

1:44:09That's tough. Yeah, Joe, that's why I asked you to go back in time. Cause we believe in you like one day, the current guys probably squabble with. So that's why we go back in the way back machine. I was fortunate enough to wrestle Kurt Angle. I'm very lucky to wrestle Kurt Angle. Kurt Angle would be one. Someone who's not wrestling anymore.

1:44:34Triple H.

1:44:39Sean.

1:44:43And...

1:44:48I'm going to go Dusty Rhodes. Oh! Genius. Oh, man. So we're giving you six, Joe, because you got Rock, Flair, Angle, Trips, Heartbreak Kid, and the American Dream. No, it's five. The Rock still rests. The Rock is his. Okay. We're not counting. Right. Right. We're not counting The Rock because there's still it. Right. I feel you. All right. So we got Ric Flair, Kurt Angle, Triple Eight, Shawn Michaels, and The Dream. I like that. We like that for sure. Joe, dude, if people didn't believe before, getting to know you a little bit more, seeing where your mind is, you know, just being able to laugh with you a little bit.

1:45:31Yeah, I mean, you got fans in us already, but I think a lot of people will see this and get a new love and respect for you. At the end of the day, what do you want people to say about Joe Hendry when it's all said and done? What do you want people to take away from your journey and where you will eventually end up?

1:46:00That.

1:46:05If he can do, I can do.

1:46:10That's real. I mean, that's it right there. Believe in yourself. You're like, you believe in me. Right? Yeah. Yeah. I think we all kind of have to have that attitude. You know what I mean? Like, you know, Shay, like, I'm sure the obstacles you had to go through to get straight out of Compton, you know, like I'm sure they didn't want to just give you that, you know, give you. No, no, no. But you believed in it. And for me, you know, Joe, I spent 20 years in Los Angeles doing production work. I was always on the other side of the camera, always trying to help somebody else be better in front of the camera.

1:46:45And then, you know, 20 years after I got here, I got a chance to be on the other side of the camera, to go on air. And it was just like I had a belief in myself for 20 years. It just took Rich Eisen to, like, kind of see me and give me that opportunity. But yeah, man, you've got to believe that you can do it, man, because most times other people won't believe in you, you know? So yeah, it makes sense. Muhammad Ali said, instead of selling myself to you, I'd rather get you to buy into you. Well done, Joe. We appreciate your time, man. Hope you had a good time. How do we do? How do you like the interview, Brian?

1:47:26It was a lot of fun, guys. Get the Genesis slash Mega Drive ready for the in-studio one. Absolutely, man. Enjoy your day, brother. Shay, we probably got to get a TV and a gaming system in studio so when he does come, we can play. Oh, I'm down, man. I'm going to tell Rich. All right. Let's do it. Thank you, Joe. This was amazing, brother. Appreciate you. Take care, guys. Thank you. I like that guy, man. Yeah, man. Joe Hendry is so damn cool. Super chill, too. can't tell nothing is going on in that house it was all blank

1:48:03it's just a side room where he does interviews Joe Hendry if you don't get it why the people who make the decisions made the decisions about him after that interview you're not paying attention the right way yeah man but TJ this has been a long one bro pause People like the long ones. Pause. By the way, Dom in my ear was like, we're getting really long. That's what she said.

1:48:42Oh, man. God forbid we go a little bit longer. That's what she said. We're getting really long. Yeah, so when you guys want to watch us and see us, make sure you check us out on all socials at, you know, Spotify Music, Apple Music. You'll find us on Instagram at No Contest Wrestling Podcast. You'll find us on Twitter at There's No Contest. On TikTok, we're No Contest Wrestling Pod. And when you go on YouTube, just look for the Rich Eisen Show or just type in No Contest Wrestling. You'll find all of our videos, everything we have to offer. Make sure in each one that you like and subscribe. And, you know, that will ensure that we'll be able to keep this pod rolling a little bit.

1:49:24You know, I'm in New York. I had a good talk with some people who indirectly work with the pod. People are loving what we're doing. And they're just like, you know, it takes a little time to get where you want to be. But you guys keep doing what you're doing. So that's really all we can do, man. And it seems like we've been well-received by everybody. So it's been amazing. I'm used to being well-received, TJ. Well, that's debatable. That's debatable. And, you know, for my co-host, TJ Jefferson, I am O'Shea Jackson Jr. Make sure y 'all have a good day, but not too good. Who the hell do you think you are?

1:50:05Bye, Ms. Parker. Bye, Ms. Parker. All right, TJ, make sure you get out of New York like Pete Alonzo and Edwin Diaz. You son of a...

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