Insight with Chris Van Vliet - Joe Hendry On WrestleMania, Royal Rumble, Randy Orton, Becoming TNA World Champion

Episode Date: May 13, 2025

Joe Hendry (@joehendry) is a professional wrestler currently signed to TNA and the reigning World Champion. He sits down with Chris Van Vliet at West Coast Creative Studio in Hollywood, CA to discu...ss his unbelievable year since their last interview that has included a surprise spot in the Royal Rumble and facing Randy Orton at WrestleMania 41, winning the TNA World Championship and his goals as champion, career-altering advice from John Cena, Triple H's comments at the press conference, his catchy theme song and more!Quote I'm thinking about: What you know is limited. What you don't know is limitless. - Tom BradyPlease support our sponsors!   PURE PLANK: The future of core fitness! Use the code CVV to save 10% on Pure Plank designed by Adam Copeland & Christian: https://gopureplank.com/?ref=tibcloux  SEAT GEEK: Get 10% off your next SeatGeek order*: https://seatgeek.onelink.me/RrnK/CVV Sponsored by SeatGeek. *Restrictions apply. Max $20 discount   TIMELINE: Go to https://timeline.com/insightto get 10% off your order of Mitopure!  STASH: Go to https://get.stash.com/INSIGHTto see how you can receive $25 towards your first stock purchase and to view important disclosures   MAGIC SPOON: Get $5 off your next order at https://magicspoon.com/cvv   VUORI: Get 20% off your first purchase! Get yourself some of the most comfortable and versatile clothing on the planet at https://vuori.com/cvv  FABRIC: Join the thousands of parents who trust Fabric to help protect their family. Apply today in just minutes at https://meetfabric.com/CVV   ROCKET MONEY: Join Rocket Money today and experience financial freedom: https://rocketmoney.com/cvv  HUEL: Get 15% off plus a FREE Gift for NEW customers with the code INSIGHT at https://huel.comMIRACLE MADE: Upgrade your sleep with Miracle Made! Go to https://trymiracle.com/CVV and use the code CVV to claim your FREE 3 PIECE TOWEL SET and SAVE over 40% OFF   ZOCDOC: Instantly book a top-rated doctor today at https://zocdoc.com/insight   BONCHARGE: Use the code CVV to save 15% off your infrared sauna blanket at https://boncharge.com/cvv   BLUECHEW: Get your first month of BlueChew for free with the code CVV at https://bluechew.com   PLUNGE: Get $150 off your Plunge with the coupon code CVV150 at https://plunge.com   For more information about Chris and INSIGHT go to: https://podcast.chrisvanvliet.com If you have ever enjoyed any of these episodes, could I ask you to please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcast or Spotify? It takes less than a minute and makes a huge difference in helping to spread the word about the show and also to convince some hard-to-get guests.    Follow CVV on social media:  Instagram: instagram.com/ChrisVanVliet Twitter: twitter.com/ChrisVanVliet Facebook: facebook.com/ChrisVanVliet YouTube: youtube.com/ChrisVanVliet TikTok: tiktok.com/@Chris.VanVliet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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Starting point is 00:00:00 Ladies and gentlemen, Chris Van Fleet. All right. Welcome back to another one here on Inside. I'm CVV. Chris Van Fleet. Hope it was a great weekend for you. I just got back from St. Louis for backlash, and we'll have plenty to talk about on Friday's AskCV episode about that.
Starting point is 00:00:37 But thank you for being with us on this one. And thank you for making insight the number one wrestling podcast on. on the planet. Lay your phone down on the ground right now, climb up onto something, not too high, but like kind of high, and hit a swan tom bomb
Starting point is 00:00:53 on that follow button wherever you're listening right now. If it's Spotify, could you please leave a rating on there? If it's Apple, my goodness, a review would go such a long way, so I'll thank you in advance for that.
Starting point is 00:01:07 I said his name, and he appeared, and at this point, it's hard not to believe in Joe. Hendry. He was a guest on the show last June, and so much has happened since then. It was June 17th, to be exact. He actually flew from the studio in Los Angeles to Orlando and debuted on NXT the next day. Then our episode aired like a week later. But he's done so many things since then, including becoming
Starting point is 00:01:35 the TNA world champion that happened to Genesis. A few weeks after that, he was a surprise entrant in the Royal Rumble. And then at WrestleMania, crazy. He was Randy Orton's mystery opponent. What an insane run that he is on. And it can't be overstated how unprecedented it is to have a current TNA world champion appearing at the Royal Rumble or wrestling on WrestleMania. Like, that's not something you could even dream about just a few years ago.
Starting point is 00:02:04 Certainly, you couldn't think about this or dream about this when I first started watching TNA over 20 years ago. and I was paying $9.99 for their weekly pay for reviews on Wednesdays. But it just speaks to this current era that we are in right now with this beautiful thing that we all love called pro wrestling. And one of the things that stands out for me with Joe Hendry is his mindset and his eagerness to learn and to grow. There's so much more to take away from this conversation than just wrestling talk. And I'm sure a lot of this is going to resonate with you. So snap a screenshot and tag us online.
Starting point is 00:02:39 He's at Joe Hendry. I'm at Chris Van Vleet. And here we go. Ladies and gentlemen, say his name with me. Please welcome, Joe Hendry. Man, what a ride you've been on. Yeah. So good to see you, man.
Starting point is 00:02:58 Yeah, it's great to see you too, man. So you were last in here. I knew it was last summer, but I want to check. I'm like, somewhere around last June, June 17th. Yeah. You were in here. And when I last saw you, you're like, I don't know where I'm going. Yeah.
Starting point is 00:03:12 I remember I, was I was so, like, don't want to say the word tired, but there was a lot going on and I was getting decision fatigue, you know, but it's like you have to make a lot of decisions quickly. And I remember, like, we just had the interview, which is, you know, you put a lot of thought into these interviews, right? So we've wrapped up in my mental energy levels were here. And I remember you just said, you hadn't asked me all day. And then you were driving me back to the airport and you went, where are you going? I was like, are you going back home? I genuinely was like, are you going back home to Scotland? You haven't been home in a while.
Starting point is 00:03:43 Yeah. And I just had ran out of mental energy. And I just went, I can't answer. I can't remember exactly what I said, but I was just like, I think I said something like, don't ask me that. Or something like that. I think you said like, I actually don't know. Yes, that's what I said. I'm like, oh, I think I can put the pieces together here. Yeah. Yeah. I think I can connect the dots. And then 24 hours later, you made your appearance on NXT. Yeah. Yeah. And it's funny because we were sitting here last year and you're like, it's been, a crazy ride, man. I just hit 60,000 followers on Instagram.
Starting point is 00:04:17 It's wild. It's taking off. These last 10 months have been just on another level. Yeah. It's almost unfathomable. You know, it's like imagine, like in the best possible way, imagine having a list of things that you want to achieve. And someone just going, oh, all those dreams that you had,
Starting point is 00:04:37 here they are all at once, you know. So it's been, it's quite incredible situation. I'm very grateful for it. So let's pick it up from the last time I saw you. Let's do it. You fly from L.A. to Orlando. Yes. Someone must have said your name because you appeared on NXT.
Starting point is 00:04:53 It was rumored, but I think people were like, will it actually happen? So we had two flights booked because we suspected it was going to go down for a couple of days, but we did not know. When the interview took place, I did not know. When the phone went back on, I knew. Like, the timing is crazy of that. Yeah. So I got on the plane to Orlando
Starting point is 00:05:14 And yes, I had that I had the appearance the next day And I could never Obviously you have a dream outcome for how you want it to go But I could never have expected The response that it got And I have a theory as to why it got the response that it did So it actually became WWW's most watched video on X
Starting point is 00:05:35 But it was 21, 22 million views Something like that It was an insane amount It was the most watched video. And I think the reason is because of this. So in TNA, my music will play for a certain minute of time. And then I'll walk to the ring. I'll point.
Starting point is 00:05:48 Whenever I see signs, I'll point. I'll get up. I'll do my hand waving. I'll get in. I'll do the spin around and hold. In NXT, they wanted to try this thing where they load you in. And it's the say, so you're there right at the start. It's what I did for, for mania as well.
Starting point is 00:06:02 Right. So it's, you know, say his name. He appears. I believe in Johanry. Bat, bat, and then you do the spin around. Now the timing is slightly different. So usually I know exactly what I'm going to do at each point. I had not figured in that I would have an additional 30 seconds that I didn't know what to do with.
Starting point is 00:06:19 So I actually just reacted organically. And I was just looking around. I was like, damn, like all this work that I put in over the years, it was just such a validating moment. And I was just looking around and it was very real. And I think it's that real moment that people could feel. I see it in the comments. And I think when wrestling has those moments of you're creating something, but you have those really organic moments. I think when the two of them come together, that people really like that.
Starting point is 00:06:45 When your music hit, everybody knew who you were. They knew who it was. It wasn't like you were just some indie guy and like people were having to explain to their friend who this is. Where did that come from? How does everybody know you? I think it was one of those things I've heard other stars describe it. So AJ Stiles described this where he was about to walk. out in the Rumble and he's thinking, what are people going to know? And it's like, within, you just
Starting point is 00:07:12 never know to what extent that they will. So it's just such an amazing feeling when they do, you know, know who you are and what you've done. And yeah, it was just, it was such a rewarding moment. And I just remember cutting that promo and the pressure as well. It's really weird. I'm more nervous doing NXT than WrestleMania. It's just, it's just the environment. It's like, it's small, it's intimate. It's TV. The camera's right there. It's just, it has a, it's a very fast-paced. So, whereas, like, I feel like WrestleMania and Rumble, it's, it's, it's about these larger-than-life moments that you can share with, with these, these huge crowds, whereas NXT, it's just, it's a really interesting show. The pacing of it is really well put together.
Starting point is 00:08:00 It's just, they're just two completely different things. And so I remember being like, man, like, I got to get this promo right. and the way it came out, it just every bit of energy came out there. And then we had, you know, the way it went down, getting eliminated very quickly. And the promo with Sean Michaels afterwards, I think it was the promo with Sean afterwards that really took it to the next level as well. And that was a situation where this is one of the things I loved about working in NXT is that Sean was so happy to get involved with the talent and their promos and be on camera
Starting point is 00:08:33 because he knows that by having that moment with me, he's, he's given me a huge moment there. And I just took that moment. And he just told me, like, he didn't need to know what I was going to say. He just, he trusted me to just have an organic moment. Like there was, it was not discussed what I would say to Sean Michaels. He gave me clearance to say, hey, give me the business. That's what you said, right? And I was like, whoa.
Starting point is 00:08:56 So I came back and I was like, you know, and I had a little bit of, you know, a little bit of aggression in my voice. And then I remember just turn into the camera and I was like, I have to create future business for myself. I have to create future opportunities. So I remember saying anywhere, anytime, any show. And I just tried to foreshadow the next moment. Man, you know. Well, you did. Yeah.
Starting point is 00:09:20 And you didn't even know in that moment what the next show would be. I had no idea. But you planted a seed. Yes. That was the intention. You've had this theme song since 2019. Yeah. Why did it take this long to get over?
Starting point is 00:09:31 Like, people think this is a new thing. People think you're a new wrestler. Yeah. Why did it take so long to get over? Because in Ring of Honor, I had this song. It's the audio file is the exact same. But when I do the turn, it's very like, it's almost like the difference between the British office and the American office.
Starting point is 00:09:49 It's like wrestling is, I had this discussion the other day that it's like wrestling is theater and it needs to be larger than life. And I was really more focused on like the nuance before of what I thought was funny. whereas it's like with wrestling you have to be large in life so this became you know that sort of thing um so i think making that transition and also what i learned at tna about character development um you know i was i learned then that making everything bigger and just learning what who and what joe henry was as a character i allowed that to come out visually in the the second entrance video that I had done. And I think by doing that, it just tipped it over the edge.
Starting point is 00:10:33 Things were bubbling up for you for a while. What was it in maybe the tail end of 23 and then into 2024? What was it that was starting to bubble up? Honestly, I put a lot of my success down to working with my friend Robert. He's known as R.D. Evans in the industry. And he was the person who was able to articulate to me exactly what I needed to do. Like he was literally, I was trying to, I was watching all the talent around me, you know, wrestle a certain way, and I was almost trying to emulate them. And it just wasn't working. It wasn't happening. I couldn't, you know, it just for some reason, it wasn't happening. And then he really taught me to just understand what type of wrestler I am and the type of influences that I should be pulling from and what I needed to do,
Starting point is 00:11:17 to take myself to the next level. So he really helped me break down wrestling in a way that it never been broken down before. So working with him really changed my life. I always said that, what I'm doing is a two-man act and he was he was the second man you know so what is it what were the influences you were pulling from so for example um it was understanding that and it's funny because i talk about you know i talk about john siena a lot like that's you know i don't think we're breaking any news here that's the dream match that i've been going for he was the first wrestler that i ever spoke to and you know i've been for we're living in a timeline where john talked about my performance on pat mackafie you know and i'm sure we'll get to that but it's
Starting point is 00:11:56 it's pretty well. But understanding, like, the type of wrestler he is, is who I need to be for TNA wrestling. So actually, there's a lot that I look at what John does and I have to be the same way. Is this the idea of like every match has its beats? Like, you know, in every match, you're going to do the spin around. Exactly. Exactly. It's understanding, like, it's just understanding what my job is on the card, what type of wrestler I need to be. And just by being myself and steering into those character elements, it creates a much more interesting dynamic than like, so for example, when I wrestled Josh Alexander this year,
Starting point is 00:12:38 that was one of the best matches I've ever had, because I was just being me and he was just being him, rather than me trying to emulate his style, which is what I was trying to do before. And it just something wasn't clicking because it didn't feel right. So instead of trying to emulate other wrestlers, it was understanding the type. of act that I need to be.
Starting point is 00:12:56 When you kind of look back at the last year you've had, does it feel real? There have been moments where I've gone, okay, we've either splintered off into a parallel universe or I've died or, you know, things are just, it's getting skating. I'm saying things and every one of them's happening. It's really skating.
Starting point is 00:13:16 And it's just the power of manifestation. It's hard for me to sit here and say that's not a real thing. Honestly, it's very hard for me to do that because I'm in a point where everything that I'm thinking about, that would be fun and not just fun for me, but fun for the fans and a really cool moment. It seems impossible. I remember I had a conversation with a friend, George,
Starting point is 00:13:36 and he always brings this up, where we did the rumble, and he's gone, so what do you think next? And I'm like, I still think I can do it. And this is like, you know, a couple of weeks out from Maine, and he's like, I don't know, buddy. He's like, you've had the rumble, you've had this. I'm like, I still think I can do it.
Starting point is 00:13:52 I still think I can be on Maine. And he's like, all right, and somehow it happened. So even before you got told about the Randy Orton match, when you saw that K.O. is going in for next surgery. Randy Orton needed an opponent. Were you like, I wonder. I wonder if it's going to be me? No, I honestly didn't think that at the time.
Starting point is 00:14:14 It's at that moment in time, I didn't think that. Sometimes I'll, you know, like again, I know there was a lot of chatter about, you know, when Jayu So said he needed a tag team partner. So it's like I will just when I, the difficulty is sometimes, because you're so busy, I'll just see things on Twitter or I'll see a clip of the show and I'll go,
Starting point is 00:14:34 oh, I'll just tweet the meme out there. Right. And sometimes you go, ha, ha, ha. And you're going, oh God,
Starting point is 00:14:41 this is caught on like wildfire. Like it's getting an insane amount of likes to the point where it's almost like people think it's a spoiler and I'm just kind of like messing around. And it's like, that's one thing I've learned. that actually before the first time you spoke, the social media game is very much like you can just throw mud at the wall and see what sticks.
Starting point is 00:15:03 Whereas now there are actually very real consequences if I tweet even my face at the wrong time. So for example, and again, I actually didn't know the severity of like Kevin Owen's injury. I just genuinely, I just saw the clip of the RKO to all this. And I kind of, I'd heard something about he might not be doing it.
Starting point is 00:15:25 Then there was that thing there. I thought, oh, I'll tweet at my face now. And it's like, actually, I took that down because when I understood the full context, because I was like, that's actually, this is not like the appropriate time to. So there's things like that where you'll see a little thing. And then, you know, there was the moment with, with Jay where I tweeted it because I didn't actually really think I was, I would have been in serious consideration. And then you tweet and go, well, actually, I've just ruined this for myself.
Starting point is 00:15:48 Well, Ra was in Scotland. Yes. Well, the scariest one. is I remember when someone, this is, this always happens when I, if you ever tweet with emotion and not with, with logic, that's when these problems happen. And I don't know why. I was just having a day when a fan said, you know what, Joe Henry's really falling off, right? For some reason, I just thought, you know what?
Starting point is 00:16:11 And I was joke, I was kind of joking. At this point, I had no, no idea that I was going to be selected to go into the Rumble. And I tweeted out. I just said, let's see how well this tweet. ages in about four months because I was like, it's between three and five months. So I'll just say that ha ha ha, ha, this tweet goes crazy. And there was a moment. Again, I had this conversation with friends and family where I said to myself, if I'm not in the rumble because of this, I need to just accept that I made a mistake and I need to own it. There was a moment where I thought
Starting point is 00:16:44 to myself, I may have cost myself an opportunity. I read that tweet because I remember the exact one you're talking about. I read it as like, well, he's going to win the T&N Championship at Genesis. That's how I read it. That's another thing as well because it's like, I see things online where people are like, oh, well, he just talks about WW stuff. And it's not true at all.
Starting point is 00:17:03 It's like I spend most of my interview time talking about TNA wrestling, but a lot of the WW stuff will go viral. So it's this game where I have to talk about exciting possibilities at WWW, but I also need to represent the championship, you know? So for me, this title reign is about doing big business, for TNA. That's my goal. There are certain title reigns that will be remembered for certain things. When Josh Alexander was champ, it was about classic match after classic match after classic match. If you bought a ticket to TNA wrestling, you know you were getting a five star banger.
Starting point is 00:17:37 With me, it's about me with this championship. When people look at my reign, they will, they will see business. That's what I wanted to do. And every decision that I've made has been about what is going to be best for business. Like I know a lot of people had a lot of things. to say about, you know, certain decisions that I've made. Like, so for example, people who are in the industry understand how great it is for business to me wrestle Randiore, for me to wrestle Randiore, right? Whereas like other people, they're going to have thoughts on it. But I understand that by, it took me zero seconds to decide whether that's what I wanted to do.
Starting point is 00:18:15 I was like, I'm there. Let's do it. Yeah, I've seen the chatter you're talking about. People are like, oh, he got squashed by Randy Orton. that makes the TNA champion just look worthless now. Well, the thing is, one, it was back and forth. So one, I got offense in is Randy Orton's 20th WrestleMania. It's also Randy Orton.
Starting point is 00:18:34 It's also Randy Orton. And the thing is, like, I did the spin around, right? So it's like me being the Joe, the Joe Hendry character, the RKO is one hit kill. And in that show, that is, you know, the feedback that I got was that is exactly what it was supposed to be. And let's be honest, you know, the next, whatever it was, how many days later, we had the biggest show TNA has ever had in 10 years. We had higher attendance at Slamovversary. So we were past 4,000, you know. So it's like, I understand what this is.
Starting point is 00:19:06 And my job is to put asses and zees for TNA wrestling. So what do you think when people say that it makes the TNA champion look weak when you lose in, I don't know how long the match was five or ten minutes? I think that in wrestling, everything has to be a story. So in the movie, does Rocky win every single match? You know what I mean? The story is, Jo Andrew lost to Randy Orton. How is the champion going to recover from this? You know, who else lost quickly at WrestleMania?
Starting point is 00:19:36 John Cena to the Undertake. You know, who else lost quickly at WrestleMania? Triple H. You know what I mean? It's like people have lost quickly at WrestleMania. And that's, these are the stories that we're telling. When John Cena lost to The Undertaker, it was where, what is the path from here? And that's what I've really learned from watching John Cena is that just make everything a story.
Starting point is 00:19:59 Everything is a story. So it's just about, okay, where do I go from here as champion? It added more weight and drama to the triple threat that we had because it was me, it was Frankie and it was Ethan Page. And it's like, the partnership's so strong. You know, it's, it's, it's all three outcomes were completely within the realms of possibility. And nobody knew what was going to happen that night. Not even we knew what was going to happen that night right up until the wire. So, and that's when it's exciting, when anything can happen.
Starting point is 00:20:30 I've been a TNA fan for years, for years and years and years. If you were to have gone into a coma two years ago and you woke up the day of the Royal Rumble and somebody saw that photo of the current TNA world champion being pointed at by Triple H, you wouldn't even believe this is real. I can't believe this is real. So after that happened, I got to the back and I spoke with Randy, I spoke with with CN Punk, spoke with Cody. You're talking about WrestleMania?
Starting point is 00:21:03 Yeah. And then as I'm walking, I had this little room, which we should talk about the, the, we'll get in all that. We got to give credit. This was a military operation. to get me into the building. We'll come back to that. But I was walking from this little room I had. I was just walking past. And again, this is when life doesn't feel really, really. Who could have tightened this? So I'm walking back. You actually saw this in the backstage footage
Starting point is 00:21:25 of the release. Had a nice conversation with Michael Cole. I had a wonderful quick conversation with Stephanie McMahon as well. And then I was walking to the back. Because I just watched the rest of Mania with William Regal, actually, which was very cool. Because he was someone I met really early on in my career and he helped me understand he helped me advance my understanding of what this game is way quicker than I would have had we not had that he talked to me for two hours when I was when I just started to go this is what this game is and ultimately the big message was that pro wrestling is about building trust trust with the audience trust trust with your peers trust with with your colleagues trust with management it's about
Starting point is 00:22:08 building trust with those stakeholders. But anyway, I digress. So I'm walking back from there. And at the same moment, the match has just finished, John is walking back with his WW championship. He's literally just become the greatest of all time.
Starting point is 00:22:21 It's now, it's a fact. He's the greatest of all time. He's walking back. And this is how awesome John is. Sees me, immediately walks over. Once he came out of a gorilla, immediately walks over to me. Had you ever met him before?
Starting point is 00:22:35 Yes. Okay. Yes. We'd had conversations. He gave me advice. at the rumble and as he said on Pat McAfee I did my very best to implement that advice and you know he he he said that he feels I'm going to be a major player in this industry and that praise doesn't come higher yeah but we we so he came up to me and there's two camera crews
Starting point is 00:22:56 they're filming this interaction I'm like I can't believe the time that this is happening he's just won the championship and I says John you know congrats anyway he didn't even want to talk about the fact he just became the greatest he was like He wanted to give me advice, which is like that's who John is, right? And he just said to me, he said, I told you exactly what you needed to do at the Rumble. You've taken it on board. You've done it. You had a good performance at the Rumble.
Starting point is 00:23:22 You were brilliant tonight. Wow. Yeah. And then John walks off and I turned to, I hope they released this footage one day. I'll turn to the camera and I go, can a day get any better than this? A.J. Stiles walks into shot and he says, if you'd have told me that the TNA world champion would walk out at WrestleMania, I wouldn't believe it.
Starting point is 00:23:47 Congrats, man. And you're going, it's nuts, man. I just, I can't tell you how fortunate I am to be living the life that I am. It's just, I've got, I've almost got no words for it, man. It's the gratitude that I feel on a daily basis for this journey is, you know, and I have to say, like, I really have to take a moment to talk about, how great TNA and WW have been. Because at any point, they could have gone, you know,
Starting point is 00:24:18 TNA and WWI have been so good to me to allow me to have these moments, because this has huge benefit for me. And we could come up with a million reasons why either TNA or WW would say, not this time. But they have been unbelievable with letting me have these moments. And I just feel like I really do feel huge gratitude to both companies in the way that they've worked together. to create cool moments for me and the fans.
Starting point is 00:24:43 And just those moments that I've had with Triple H and getting that feedback and the words of advice that he gives, like that's, I know how busy he is and how important those moments are. And, you know, I'm very grateful for it. You guys know that when it comes to health and well-being, I'm always looking for an edge. And that's why I've been taking Mitopure for months now.
Starting point is 00:25:05 Because I want to be the healthiest version of myself for as long as possible. I want to be in my 90s and still going on hikes or like still playing with the grandkids or I guess at that point in time it might be great grandkids. Here's how this works. Mitochondria is our cells power generators. They're a key influence in how we age. But as the years past, mitochondrial efficiency starts to decline. And it starts to represent this big gap between the quality of life we expect when we're older and the one we actually experience. One way to think about mitopure is like they're the little Pac-Men in your cells,
Starting point is 00:25:43 chomping up the damage mitochondria that make you feel old and tired, and we're cycling it into new healthy ones. For me, taking mitopure is really helped with recovering after a workout. I start to feel myself getting stronger with more energy and experiencing less inflammation. I think it's worth you checking out as well. Timeline is offering 10% off your first order of mitopure. Just go to timeline. slash insight. That's timeline.com slash insight.
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Starting point is 00:27:20 to get $50 instantly after you play your first $5 lineup. Yes, use that code Insight to get $50 instantly after you play your first $5 lineup. Prize picks, run your game. Whether it was you just putting it out into the world or whether you truly felt like it was going to happen, you said you were going to be at WrestleMania 41, whether it was just to yourself or to your friends. When did this start to become a reality?
Starting point is 00:27:51 So I heard Triple H say recently that he, and I don't want to miss quote, but this is what I heard him say. I heard him say that, you know, revealing things before they happen is ruined and surprise. Saying how it was done afterwards is almost like just the intrigue of how that happened. So with respect for that, like, I'm, you know, he's talked about conversations we've had. So I will say I found out about a week before and Triple H called me personally. And I thought, because I was at WWE world, right? And that's one of the reasons it was so well hidden because I was already booked for WWE board.
Starting point is 00:28:27 Right. So there was no shock or surprise with me being around the company. I thought I was maybe getting a promo there, maybe, you know, presenting a slammy, something like that. And so he said, Can you talk? Phone goes. And very quickly we got to, so I'm sure you're aware that Randy needs an opponent.
Starting point is 00:28:49 And I'm in the airport. Like, I did not think that's what the call was going to be. And yeah, I said yes, immediately. Immediately. So how do they get you into the building? Because this was one of the best kept secrets. And there are so few secrets still in wrestling. Yeah.
Starting point is 00:29:08 I couldn't tell anybody. I had, I had, I've got some heat with some friends still. Yeah, my friend, my friend George is upset, right? So I'm just going to shut him out, right? Sorry, George. I know, sorry, George. So who needed to know? So I think that there were two people on the side of TNA.
Starting point is 00:29:26 Okay. And I had to sit on this for a week. That's pretty tough. But I thought that, you know how wrestling is. It's never happened until, you're never the champion until, it's not when the ref's hand goes down. Because Chris Jericho won the title once and then unwanted it, the same night.
Starting point is 00:29:44 You know what I mean? So it's like, you've won the title, you're back at the hotel or you're on the plane and you're crossing. You know what I mean? You're out of there. Right. We got the bell. Okay, now I'm the chap.
Starting point is 00:29:53 And with this sort of thing, it's like, so we had that conversation, but anything can happen between then and wrestling. Sure. So at that point, I was trying not to get too high or too low. It's just, it's there. I'm just going to work. The schedule was insane, insane. So I had like 12 or immediate day for TNA, 12 or immediate day for TNA.
Starting point is 00:30:13 I had the next day, I had media in the morning and the TNA show all the day and then the meet and greet after. Then I believe the next day I had wrestle con in the morning and afternoon, West Side Guns show at night. No, I had WW World in the middle as well on the Saturday of WrestleMania. I might be missing out a day or whatever, but it was crazy. And then on the day of WrestleMania, I had wrestlecon in the morning, WW World until I think, I think it was like one to three, something like that.
Starting point is 00:30:43 Or we got me to the arena sort of three, four, something like that. And then it was pretty quickly, I was in gear and on the way there. So it was like there was no time to think, which was the best thing for me. I just couldn't overthink it. So I was one of the best things about it. But I didn't think it was real until the night before when it came to putting the whole thing together. And I thought, okay, now this has to be happened. So is it, is it a phone call with Rayleigh to put it together?
Starting point is 00:31:09 I don't know how far I want to pull back the curtain on that one for a couple of reasons, but this is what I'll say. Randy was unbelievable to work with. Unbelievable. WW has been unbelievable. TNA has been unbelievable. The way I've been treated is like I could not have asked for a bearer. Randy was like just the coolest guy when it came to this.
Starting point is 00:31:35 And we clicked immediately because I feel like I, I, would like, I don't want to speak for him, but I would, I felt like I understood the assignment, you know, and I just really strongly felt that, that visual of putting her two characters together, the spin and the RKO combining to me was like the viral moment, you know? So I think like, I was in the mindset of having a bit more experience going back to John Cena's advice. I wasn't thinking so much about my moment. I was thinking about the moment for the show and for the business, you know and I think John giving me that advice at the rumble helped me to have a bit of a shift there what was this specific advice so I remember going up to John and again this is how this is how cool John is
Starting point is 00:32:20 so I says hey you know it'd be great to ask your advice sometime and this is this is rumble where he's he's got he's got a huge spot here and he's like well why don't we go talk right now you can ask me anything you ever wanted to ask me I was like all right so I was like I need to be what what am I going to ask you that's going to yield the greatest return or or or you know so I asked him I says look I'm in there with Roman and I said how do I take what I've got and make them most out of how do I make it more and he said and John said this on Pat Mac so you know I'm not kind of peeling back the curtain here beyond one second and he said uh you don't and he paused and he explained to me that like, and he was 100% correct.
Starting point is 00:33:04 The viral moment at the Rumble for me was the entrance and looking around and coming in and hitting my moves on Mizz and then being eliminated by a Romm. You know what I mean? So it's like, but it was about Joe Henry was at the Rumble. The moment was not like, after Roman comes in, that's his moment now. You know what I mean? So it's like what John was trying to say is it's like, your moment is coming out there and now you're a cog in a bigger machine.
Starting point is 00:33:30 So it's like, it's not about you getting what you can out this moment. It's like, how do you prop up Romans moment? You know, that kind of taught me to instead of think selfishly about these moments, that I don't, if I hadn't had that conversation with John, I don't know that I'd have been thinking about the best way to do the RCAO. You know what I mean? It's like that got me thinking about it from that perspective. And I really feel like being Randy were just on the same page.
Starting point is 00:33:59 He was just, he was awesome. I just, yeah, I honestly, like if I have, I can't tell you how thankful I am to have all the moments that I've had, you know. How did they sneak you into the building? Sorry, I did not answer that question. No, no, we've, and this is a problem we have. This is a problem we have. We're just hanging out.
Starting point is 00:34:16 Yeah, I'll get talking. All right. So, um, we got me in a car at WWU. Okay. I had to change in the car. Um, not into my wrestling gear. We did that at the building. I had to change.
Starting point is 00:34:29 in the car and it was like a, I got the most genetic hoodie possible. So it was like Las Vegas hoodie or whatever. I had a like a COVID mask. I had sunglasses. I looked ridiculous. It was like covered head to toe. And honestly,
Starting point is 00:34:44 I wasn't even in the betting odds. You know, it was there was an other category where you would have to manually put in Joe Hendry. That's how secretive this was. It was not, it was not one of the standard options. There were about 10 options. Yeah.
Starting point is 00:34:58 And I was in other. People really thought it be Nick Aldous. It would have made a lot of sense there. Of course, he has an incredible pedigree in the ring. That one made a lot of sense, right? So people were like, man. And actually on that topic, this is how cool Nick is. Nick came down,
Starting point is 00:35:13 Nick came along to help with, like, help with this moment. So he invested his time to give input about, you know, what we could do. So the fact that Nick gave his time to help that moment, that's how cool. There were also like, oh, maybe it's Rusev. he's probably returning. Maybe it's Malachi Black.
Starting point is 00:35:32 We know that there's been these vignettes for him. You're right. You're way down the list. Yeah. Which makes this even better. Yeah. It was very intense, you know? Because it was like, from speaking to people backstage at the rumble,
Starting point is 00:35:47 they told me it'll be over in a flash. So I'm going into WrestleMania knowing that's the case. I know I'm going to go in there and it's going to be over in an instant. So you get into the building. They've snuck you into the building. They take you to some room away from everybody else. So the locker room doesn't even know you're there. Yes.
Starting point is 00:36:03 Then who comes in to, you know, be like, all right, you're up in an hour or two or whatever? Just different staff members. So it was just that different members of WW personnel that were keeping me updated. Did you see Randy at all before the show? Again, there's peeling back the curtain. And I respect that. Yeah. Yeah.
Starting point is 00:36:19 So you go out there. Yeah. What's that moment like when your music hits? It was so at Rumble, it was like the way I describe it to people. is putting on a VR headset. So it's like it just doesn't feel real. If you've ever had like VR to experience like, you know, somewhere you haven't been before.
Starting point is 00:36:37 It's like it's like the uncanny valley, right? The people are just dots at a certain point. You're just going, how can 70,000 people get into one building and they're, they're making noise? There's something. It's just, I can't describe the feeling. That's one thing. But WrestleMania, when it's a singles match against Randy Orton in his 20th
Starting point is 00:36:56 WrestleMania. I'm in the back watching the video package and I'm like, oh, this is, this is a big, a big deal. It was then I was going, whoa, you know, so I walk out and the way I described the noise and it was like a literal physical wave of energy. It felt like when I was walking to the ring, it was almost like this physical wave just like of positivity, almost like pushing against me as I was walking down to the ring. It felt like something that very few human beings have been privileged enough to experience, but it was everything I wanted it to be.
Starting point is 00:37:32 There was a moment during you walking down the ramp where you kind of turn around and you look at everything. What are you thinking in that moment? It's hard to say. I think I was just trying to be as present as possible. That's something else I learned from Triple H. He did.
Starting point is 00:37:51 He was on a podcast with Tim Ferriss, I think. I love that episode. Yeah. And he, that's from years ago. Yeah. And so Tim actually compiled a bunch of his interviews into a book called Tools of Times.
Starting point is 00:38:04 Yeah. You know, of course. Yeah. Love that book. And what they talk about in that book is about the importance of being present. So whatever you're doing with, if I'm here,
Starting point is 00:38:13 I'm talking to you. You know, if I'm in the ring, I'm focused on the best performance. If I'm with family, I'm trying to be present in the moment. So that I've really carried that with me. I try and be as present as possible.
Starting point is 00:38:23 So that's, one thing. Just trying to enjoy it. There's a moment after the match where Randy's sharing some words with you. Yeah. What's he saying? So what I got from Randy is that I just I was, you know,
Starting point is 00:38:41 very humbled by the fact that he was really happy with him. Because it's his 20th wrestling. You know, like I remember being 15 years old walking home from school, talking to Randy Orton about my friends. Sorry, talk to the rest. We got that, right?
Starting point is 00:38:56 So I remember walking on from school talking to my friends about Raddy Orr, right? And to go from that moment to actually wrestling him at WrestleMania, I texted that friend from school that had that conversation, I just text him the graphic of me and Randy standing opposite each other and he was just
Starting point is 00:39:13 like, proud of you big guy. It's insane. It's insane. What's he saying? Because he's pointing at you, he's pointing at everybody. So they actually released the like the verbiage of what he said. And he was basically saying, you know, He was basically saying, you know, I appreciate you being part of this moment and you showed up for these people and you showed up for me.
Starting point is 00:39:35 And then, well, you know what happened next. Did he plan to do your move? Did he plan to do the spin around? Again, I don't know how much, but I'll do it a little bit. I'll do it a little. I'll do it a little. So I'll tell you this. He didn't.
Starting point is 00:39:49 He was like, he was like, shoulda, should I know? He goes, let's call out there. He's like, if I'm feeling. it, I'll do it. And to me, that was, all right, he had a good time, you know. My favorite moment of that match is afterwards. You're laying there. He's hit you with the RKO and he kind of taps you on the chest and then he goes up and poses. And I'm like, that. That's what this is all about. Yeah. Yeah, absolutely. It was, to me, that was, again, I was very fortunate to be a part of that moment. And also, I was very fortunate to represent TNA wrestling there as well.
Starting point is 00:40:27 So it's like, as well as my personal, the benefit that I would get for me, it was, it was the ability to put the TNA World Championship on a platform like that as well. And so for Randy to give me that little bit of validation, I was just lying there. And I was like, I knew in my heart, I knew I'd done a good job. And I, I knew that I'd represented myself well. I knew that I had done something that I knew fans were going to feel. certain way about. I knew in my heart that it was going to translate to business for TNA. So I felt like I'd gone in there and I've said this before, but I felt I'd helped, I'd participate in a
Starting point is 00:41:03 situation where everybody won. So much has happened since the last time you were on the show. Do people come up to you and meet and greets and say, hey man, I listen to that show, listen to that episode. Every day. Every day. Every single day. Yeah, every day. The two things I get are they say, oh, I started watching you back in what culture pro wrestling. Like I don't, that does not, get enough credit for what it did for pro wrestling and the amount of stars that came through that. But the other thing they talk about is this interview that we did a year ago. Wow. And I think I know why. The reason is because Sean Michaels gave me the exact same advice that my flatmate did Dave back home said the exact same thing, but in different words. And I remember Dave said to me, he says,
Starting point is 00:41:46 you know, your own, he says, there's so much to your personality that people haven't seen. And he says, you'll get over when you show them a bit of Joe. And this was the first place that we actually showed me as the human being, right? And when I got to NXT, Sean was like, I didn't know that you'd done amateur wrestling as like after you had started pro wrestling. I didn't know that you'd been doing this for 12 years. I didn't know about the ups and the downs and different companies and the struggles is I didn't know this.
Starting point is 00:42:14 He's like, that's what we're going to put on TV. That is what we're going to put on TV. It was like, and again, it just came from me. walking past Sean's office and going, you know what, and just having the courage to just say, hey, can I talk to you? And me and Sean talked for over an hour. And he just learned about me. I learned about him. And then he knew who it was as a human being. And then I felt like that gave him more information about how to, how we could present me on television. And that was around the time that was at the performance center as well. And that was a really huge experience for
Starting point is 00:42:47 me because being at the PC, like, I just really went in with the most student mentality that I could. And I thought, I will, in my mind, I was like, I will be on time to every class. I will give my best efforts. When I'm booked him with the nutritionist or the PTs or whatever, I will utilize every resource. I will be on time. I will do all this to the absolute best of my ability, whether it's promo class, whatever it is. And at this time, I'm doing TNA, I'm doing NXT, I'm doing signings, I'm doing Indies, I'm doing the works. I must show respect to this system.
Starting point is 00:43:21 And I think by opening up myself to be as much of a student as possible, I think that's what really helped me in that environment as well. Like training with Terry Taylor was huge for me. And it was, I just was able to go, you know what? For certain things where I just says, you know what? I actually don't know how to do that. Because sometimes in the business, you go, yeah, I know how to do that. But I said, you know what, Terry?
Starting point is 00:43:44 I actually don't know how to do that. Please teach me. And by having that approach of just admitting when you don't know something, and they go, oh, cool, well, no problem, let's teach you. And I learned so much at the PC. Like the wrestler was before and the wrestler was after, it's leagues apart. With so much of what you're talking about here, I asked Jeff Hardy the same question.
Starting point is 00:44:07 When your name is Joe Hendry and the character's name is Joe Hendry, is it difficult because, yeah, there's a lot of similarities, but at the same time, there's also some differences. You know, I've had this conversation a couple times recently. For many years, I regretted using my real name for many years. But now I think it's because it's also me that people are so interested in what I'm doing. Because it's like they're seeing someone living their dream in real time, you know, which is, I think, again, like I said earlier about when I made the entrance in NXT, that was Joe Henry the person. That 30 seconds was Joe Henry the person having that moment.
Starting point is 00:44:46 And I think when that comes through, it just, you know, that's the beauty of wrestling. It's when stories that you tell and reality intertwine and you're not really sure where one begins in the other ends, you know. So let's talk about the Royal Rumble. It's obviously a huge thing that's happened since I saw you last. How does that all come together? So, again, that was that was weak off, I think I found out about the Rumble. and that was again, didn't really know,
Starting point is 00:45:20 kind of heard a couple of rumblings and things like that. And I didn't know for sure until pretty close. And again, similar sort of deal. I was there for signings. So I was in town.
Starting point is 00:45:34 I was very busy again, just like this one. But that one was obviously with Manny, I had the experience of doing Rumble, but to give you an idea, this was, again, Jordan had done it.
Starting point is 00:45:44 And I have to say, I have to just put over Jordan Grace because what she did, she opened the door for me and for others to, like she was such an integral part of this partnership. And the performance she had at the Rumble, she just killed it. It was a 10 out of 10 performance. And by her doing that,
Starting point is 00:46:06 it inspired me to go, you know what? And I walked into my training school the next day. And I says, guys, watch what I'm about to do because mark my words, I'll be in that next Rumble. And there was a swear word in the middle. And people are more interested in that because at that point, at that point,
Starting point is 00:46:24 there was no reason for me to think that I would be. I just really thought. So you called it a year out. Yeah. I just really thought I would be. Why? What gave you that belief? I don't know like this.
Starting point is 00:46:33 Or is it just a hope? No, I just, I genuinely hand on heart believed it was going to happen. And what I'll do, this sounds crazy, but, you know, it seems to be working. when I get something in my head about, I think this could happen, I start to think about the path to victory of how it could happen. And when I'm working out in the gym, I listen to certain playlists and certain songs that just put me in a certain place. And I just visualize over and over and over again about how it would happen under what circumstances. And as I get closer to the date, I start tweaking little things about like, that's how we'll get there. That's how we'll make that happen.
Starting point is 00:47:08 This is how we'll open that door. when I'm working out, it's almost like a meditative step. Like when I'm working out and I'm lifting just heavy as possible, that's what's going through my head is this is all for a purpose. And I just had the rumble in my mind. And I don't know if me doing that affects my behavior to open doors and then opportunity comes along. It's even spooky to me right now.
Starting point is 00:47:30 But what would happen is fans would just keep asking me these meeting greets, you're going to be in the rumble, you're going to be in the rumble, you're going to be in the rumble. you're going to be in the Rumble. And I would always like, just say, never say never. That's my answer. And on the day, I started saying to people, not this time. Sorry, not this time. And I did the same for Manny as well.
Starting point is 00:47:48 So yeah, I need to think of something else because now people know if I go, not this time. That means it's on. So when it's actually happening, when you're in the moment. Yeah. Is there a certain part of you that feels like I've been here before because I've seen it? At WrestleMania? Or the Rumble or the NXT debut.
Starting point is 00:48:06 Like, if you visual, this so much when it's actually happening, does it feel like, yeah, of course. Yes, 100%. Yes. Like, it really does. It feels like it's before you go in, you've just ran it through so many times in your head that I think if you watch WrestleMania,
Starting point is 00:48:24 I'm not nervous because I've thought about it a million times. That's wild. The opponent was, the opponent was different from the one I thought was going to be. Do you want to tell us who you thought it was going to be? No. I actually
Starting point is 00:48:38 I actually said this is someone at TNA what I wanted to happen and they were like, no way, there's no way. I mean, I'll tell you, it doesn't get much bigger than wrestling. You know, okay. It doesn't, it doesn't get much bigger than wrestling Randy Orton at WrestleMania.
Starting point is 00:48:53 That's, that is a huge responsibility. And with great respect to Randy Orton, he doesn't have that many more WrestleMania's left, you know? For him to, for him to share that moment with me and for him to include me in that is, you know, I've got ultimate respect. Dude, he put you over. He did the whole thing. He raises your arm.
Starting point is 00:49:13 Yeah. And then he arch healed me. Right. Pat McAfee's like, well, we know what's coming next to her. Yeah. So the Royal Rumble, like, talk us through that moment. You're backstage. You're about to go out.
Starting point is 00:49:26 Is that photo with Triple H before you went out? So that was literally, they told me, they said, right, we're going to, we're going to tell you when to go. So it was like they wanted to leave just a little split second before my music hits. They're masters of timing when it comes to that, right? And no words, I just saw Triple H just get up, came over to me, arm around me, did the point. And that picture of Triple H pointing to me with the TNA World Championship in frame, it's, you know, that is just like, is this AI? You know, it's just a picture you probably thought you would never see.
Starting point is 00:50:03 And that's what I love about wrestling now is anything. Anything is possible. I just wrestled Randy Orton at WrestleMania. I keep saying that. But anything can happen. And to be able to do that and for the TNA championship to be in that photo, it's exciting. It's incredible, you know? Again, if you woke up from a coma and you saw that photo, you wouldn't think it was real.
Starting point is 00:50:25 Like, yeah. TNA was the competition for so long. The fact that TNA and WW are working together now to the point where the TNA world champion can be, out on a PLE, it's mind-blowing. Yeah, it really is. But I think that what's great about it is everybody wins. It's exciting for the fans. It gives great opportunities to the wrestlers. Like, so if you take someone like myself, when I go and do things in WWW, it's a new audience, it's huge exposure. But it's also great for the wrestlers from, for example, NXT who come over because you get to work in a completely different environment and they learn different things.
Starting point is 00:51:06 Like, you know, obviously, we're not on the best of terms, but Trick Williams is, he's in T&A right now. And I think that he will, his mind will open up to new possibilities having been in a different, in a different environment. And I think that's what's great is that talents from both sides will learn in a new way, which is really exciting. fans win. If you look at the view counts, whenever at W.W.E people come to TNA, the views go up. Whenever TNAA people go to to NXT, the views go up, it's exciting. And everybody wins. Every single party wins. And that's what I love about the partnership. The United States Soccer Federation present the US Soccer Podcast.
Starting point is 00:51:48 My name is David Goss, and I'm joined by my co-host, Megan Clemenberg. And now we're giving people an inside look at the World Cup. Times ticking. I think you can feel the, the, intensity. All the guys are wanting to really take their claim, and they want to be on that World Cup roster. There's no doubt about it. Hosting the World Cup on the home soil comes with its pressures, but we're just really excited just as the people are. The U.S. Soccer podcast, presented by Henkel. Follow and listen on your favorite platform. You had one of the biggest pops at the Royal Rumble. Was any part of that surprising to you?
Starting point is 00:52:20 Yes, it was. Of course. Of course, because you think that, I remember going in thinking, right, Well, the internet wrestling community will know who I am. I do not expect the noise to spread to the casual audience or not the casual audience, because that's maybe the wrong word, but to the entire stadium. You know, it was just, yeah, it was an incredible moment. And not only was it a pop, they're singing along to your song. Yes, it's, it's honestly, I sometimes it's difficult to talk about because it's just so wild that I can't put it into words. ongoing, right? So it's, I'm just, like I say, I haven't been home in quite some time.
Starting point is 00:53:02 Yeah, when was the last time you were home? I think I was home three, four weeks ago for like a day. Yeah. And it was like, it felt like the dumbest thing ever because it was like, right, I'm crossing the Atlantic to just go home for one full day. But sometimes I just need that. You know, I need to go back to Scotland just to feel centered. When will you be home again? Well, as you know, I got, I got some beef going on in NXT right now. They've announced that you're going to be there on Tuesday. Yeah, and that needs settled. So I get, honestly, we'll see. We'll see. Who's looking after your dog?
Starting point is 00:53:34 My dad is looking after my dog. Okay. So I'm very grateful for that. I've got really supportive family. It's just like, it's one thing to another to another to another. Like, from my knowledge, I saw you last week in Indianapolis. Yeah. I saw you before that.
Starting point is 00:53:48 I saw you at Barry Steakhouse. Yes. Yeah. In Circa. Hey, Barry Steakhouse. How good. That was the best steak of my life. Oh my gosh.
Starting point is 00:53:57 Yeah. So I chatted with you there. Didn't even cross my mind that I might see you performing at WrestleMania a few days later. See, I thought I heard you make a little comment. And I was like, oh, that like, because I kind of was every time I heard, I talked to someone, I was looking for a little indication if they knew or if I gave in any of aware. Okay, okay. That was Friday night.
Starting point is 00:54:16 Yeah. And then you were a WrestleMania night too. So Sunday. Yeah. Had no idea. I did see someone from TNA on the floor. And I was just like, wait. Yeah.
Starting point is 00:54:27 Okay. And then. And I had done a whole prediction show the week before, and your name didn't even come up. They'd gone through the entire list. And I felt like an idiot because five minutes before, like when they were playing the Randy Orton package, I was like, Joe Henry. It's interesting you say that. I just put it together. It's interesting you say that because you would not believe the amount of people that said,
Starting point is 00:54:50 I had no idea who it was going to be until the moment before you came out. And the amount of people that have gone, oh, it's Joe. Of course it is. I said to, I was sitting next to my friend, Jamil, I said, I think it's Joe Hendry. He's like, no, I don't know. I mean, it could be. Yeah. Someone said his name, I guess. And he appears. What is the, what is the story behind say his name? I don't know. I just remember when I wrote the song, I wanted it to be as literal as possible. So I wanted it to be, I will tell the audience went to clap. I'll tell them and to wave their hands. and I will explain that if you are to say my name, you will be rewarded with me appearing.
Starting point is 00:55:31 Now, is it actually saying, Joe Hendry? That is when you appear? It's changed over time. So again, this is something that me and already discussed for a long period of time. And we agreed it was say his name. So when anyone on impact at the time would say, say his name,
Starting point is 00:55:50 that's when I would pop out. But it kind of became Joe Hendry over time. And I understand why. But either works. I'll respond to either. Oh, you'll show up for either one. For either one.
Starting point is 00:55:58 Yeah. How mind blowing is it that the song that you wrote, the silly music video that you created is what's playing at Russellmania. That's pretty wild. That is pretty wild because don't go wrong. When you're putting it together, and I'm going to use this example, and I'm not competing myself to Nirvana,
Starting point is 00:56:21 just before I go any further. I like this. But I have. I have to, right? But disclaimer. I watched a documentary where Dave Grohl was talking about when they put together smells like teen spirit. And he was saying,
Starting point is 00:56:32 and talking about the nevermind album, right? And again, that was just an example of when they were firing on all cylinders. And the producer was, again, firing all cylinders. Bootsch Vig had everything out. They had everything right. And he said,
Starting point is 00:56:44 we knew we'd made something really good. Like, because we worked really hard on it. We knew it was good. We knew that. But we couldn't have predicted what happened. again, not comparing myself to Nevada, but that feeling is what I have about it. I worked really hard on the song.
Starting point is 00:56:58 My friend Neil worked really hard on helping me record it. And, you know, me and my brother worked really hard on the video. But it was all done very quick, very, very quick. And we knew it was good. But I didn't think it would have got to the level that it's got to. It's changed my life. Like in WrestleMania, they could have just put your name up. Yeah.
Starting point is 00:57:18 Instead, they played the music video. Yeah. Yeah. it's, again, it's awesome. But ultimately, like, it is the fans that are putting me into this position. And that's what I love about how things have happened. Because it's, I remember being told that, like, in wrestling, the fans have to feel responsible for what's going on.
Starting point is 00:57:40 So if you're in a match and you're in a hold and you're getting beaten up or something like that, the fans start coming up, them giving you that energy has to be what gets you out of that moment. But it's the same for me with everything. And it's like parallels in the ring or in a promo, they're all over the business. And for me, it's like, it's the fans giving me that support and that energy that has carried me to this moment. They brought the signs. I had a moment, one of my favorite fan interactions where like Tenjo Hendry's just showed up in
Starting point is 00:58:09 Chicago. And we did the video together. And I just so humbled by these moments. And I've got people who bring their kids to shows and they're like, their kids are like two or three. And they love the song. And you're just going, whoa. It's really humbling, you know, and I have to, throughout all of this, I have to remember that none of this happens without the fan support. That is what makes this special, you know, and I'm
Starting point is 00:58:31 very grateful for it. So it's not just me doing this. I feel like all the fans are with me and they're helping me do something unprecedented. And what I need to do and I need to remember as well is that there are so many people who are so talented who maybe haven't had a break or the opportunities yet and I need to find ways to contribute to the wrestling business to help the next wave of talent coming through. You know, like so for example, like a Leon Slater or Casey Navarro or again, George, the personal concierge, like super talented people like around me. And there's a million people, but I have to figure out ways to help the next wave of talent come through. And I also need to, yeah, I'm going to think deeply about how I can just give back a bit because I feel like I've
Starting point is 00:59:16 gone a lot, you know. What's the moment for you where this all started to click? There was a couple. One was I had the match with Ethan Page at No Mercy. So at the time, I didn't know or think that we were going to get the main event spot, but that's what ended up being. And that's a lot of pressure. And I remember at the time thinking, like, just I know how to go out there and be entertaining for 10, 50 minutes, but to be a main event guy, I was like, man, this is new territory for me, you know? And it was being in Terry's class, like learning all these additional fundamentals about his approach on wrestling.
Starting point is 01:00:00 And again, that's the benefits that I took from the WW system. There are a couple of moments. One is when I was wrestling Eddie Edwards. And he can, that's when he helped me to put into practice what I'm, already had tried to tell me about the type of wrestler that I should be. Eddie taught me that I can get a big reaction from a tackle if it's Joe Hendry given the tackle. That's when it made sense to me. Because I was trying to go, well, I got to do a thousand different things because this person does a thousand different things. And he can
Starting point is 01:00:29 taught me that like, no, you can, as long as it's Joe Hendry doing the tackle, he can do it. And so that match, something clicked. But at the moment I got ready for no mercy and I knew it was going to be good. Because I was like, there was a lot of pressure, you know. And I remember, I remember I was in Minnesota. I was doing just a random match somewhere. And I just thought, you know what? Let's just go out there and have fun. Let's not call everything.
Starting point is 01:00:50 I'll do some stuff and I'll just be me. And so I'd do a headlock takeover. I'd nip out and I'd do the spin before my opponent could get back to me. I'd put the spin in a couple of points in the match. Sammy Callahan gave me the stomp, stomp, clap, you know, the We Will Rock you. And I just took all these little things and had as much fun as I could in the match. And I got to the back and I remember Tommy Dreamer was there as well.
Starting point is 01:01:13 that was a really good match. And I remember thinking like, well, if you know, a couple hundred people in Minnesota enjoyed it, is a sold out arena in Denver going to like it less when they're there to see this match? I was like, no, I'll just go out and I'll and I'll be me as much as possible.
Starting point is 01:01:31 And that got me thinking because I kind of knew this. When I look at the top talents in the business, the common thread to me is that the very top talents are authentically themselves at all times. and that's when it like clicks for me. Do you feel the pressure on you? Because people go to TNA shows now to see you. I saw the line on Thursday in Irvine, California.
Starting point is 01:01:52 I saw the line at all the conventions. Do you feel the pressure? How do you mean? There's a lot, you know? When people are paying their harder money to come see you perform, you're the TNA world champion, there's a lot of pressure to deliver for them. There is.
Starting point is 01:02:09 And there's a lot of pressure when someone is paying their money to meet you at a meeting greed. Yes. Yes. they want this moment to live up to their expectations. That's a great point. Someone that I've learned a lot from, well, the Hardys, I've learned a lot from the way they are with their fan base.
Starting point is 01:02:23 And, you know, like, I've gotten to know them, but I've gotten to know Matt really well in particular. And it feels like not to interrupt you. It feels like what you have right now is very similar to what Matt had when the broken Hardy, Matt Hardy came back. He says that. He says that. And I remember when Matt came back to TNA and when Jeff came back, he gave me.
Starting point is 01:02:43 Matt the microphone. And they said, yeah, yeah, just, you know, say whatever. And instead of saying something about himself, this is before all this, I believe. He said, he said, uh, Joe Hendry is going to be the next guy. He didn't TNA wrestling. And it was a couple of weeks later, we had this big tag match where they featured me just like he said as well. And I really feel like Matt, just, I can't be thankful enough for what he did that night to just what could have been his, and probably should have been his moment. He went, no, no, no, we need to, and he gave me his endorsement. That really meant a lot. But to come back to what you said, the way
Starting point is 01:03:16 they are with their fans is unbelievable. And I have had moments where I will say like, there was a lot going on in, in WrestleMania. So it's like I had, there was a video game deal, which I'm hoping we can talk a little bit about later that I was launching that day. I'm at wrestlecon. I'm doing that. I've got
Starting point is 01:03:34 is my wrestling gear going to get here. I've got to go to WWE World and second. I got mania later on. There was so many things going on. And I really do try my best at meeting degrees because sometimes like you have to be, you have to be quick because there's so many people. And there are times where I just go, I just have this little feeling like, I could have given more. You know, and it's like I'll have moments where I just, I realize that like in these meetings, like people are paying a lot of money and you have to really try your best to figure out quickly what moment that you can give this person and what they want from the experience, you know. And it's like some of the things that people tell you. when they come up to you and they tell you about how pro wrestling helped them move on from depression or how I had someone the other day tell me like they used to watch wrestling with their dad and he's not there anymore but you know
Starting point is 01:04:23 the song and all that just he you know he loved that a couple years ago or he would have loved that or blah blah and you hear these moments people are sharing these moments with you and that is where the responsibility comes in and you realize like oh this is like people's lives and so when I hear things like that I've really I'm not perfect. I've really tried my best to understand that. And I've learned there are moments where I've gone,
Starting point is 01:04:46 you know what, I'm going to just slow down that interaction a little bit, and I'm going to give some time. There's been times where I've had to go, you know what? And I look at the hard days and they come back from their mean greets at like three, four in the morning.
Starting point is 01:04:56 Their lines are ridiculous. And they're taking the time with the fans, and I'm going, man, times are tough for people to invest their money to come and meet us. We have to, you remember when I said, like, authentically be themselves? we have to authentically be there for those people.
Starting point is 01:05:11 No matter how much that we're hurting in the match, no matter what we've got going on personally, like that person deserves this moment. And I'd really try to remember that and learn and be better, you know? And that minute or two, good, bad or indifferent, depending on whoever it is you meet, that is going to be their impression of that person for the rest of their life. Yeah.
Starting point is 01:05:33 So if it's a rushed meet and greet with someone who's just not having a great day, they're going to go, oh man, person's, they're not cool. If I, if a fan, I know, again, nobody's perfect. If I heard that, there aren't many things that a fan could say that would hurt and that would hurt. I'd have to go, you know, like that, that would hurt. So that's not who you are. Like, I think that, you know, we're not going to name names here, but there's certain people at conventions where you're like, it's not a great interaction. Yeah. Maybe you get your figure signed and you move on, but it's not a great interaction. When you meet Joe Hendry, it's a great interaction. I would like to,
Starting point is 01:06:07 artist is great interaction. I would, I would really like to think so. And if there has been some, there have been times where, you know, if I do feel something's being rushed, I'll be like, let me do that signature again. Or maybe, you know, there are moments because it's like, if you have a million things going on, you have to also be careful. You have to, again, just like we talked about from Tools for Titans, it's like you have to be present. You know, and it's like, you have to be present for those people, no matter how tired you want. So I just, I'm, I'm really understanding that and it's such an important part of what we do and meeting those fans. It's just it's very humbling. People bring me, like I really, you know those those things you got on your
Starting point is 01:06:43 wrist right there? I just got these that I'm yeah. I have, this one says gratitude. Yeah. It's a nice little reminder. I have like a drawer just full of these at home because if it's a gift I can take back, I really will try to. I try to, I try to do my best and keep the things that people give, especially like people have put real time and effort into this as well. So I really do try and keep it. You've gotten so much success and fame over this last year and has happened very quickly. Who do you think has been the person you've gone to for advice that's really helped you to understand this and deal with in the best way possible? That's a really great question because there's, I can learn from people directly. I can learn from people from afar.
Starting point is 01:07:24 Like I really have, I really do think that that John Sina is the blueprint for what I'm trying to do. I was actually thinking about this the other day that like, you know, with what he's done with like make a wish, for example. I'm like, because you try not to like, you try and stay humble. And I go, but maybe I am at the point where I could start doing things like that, you know, because I was talking with some the other day about when I was in Ring of Honor, we would do like hospital visits every look, for example. So it's like, I'm like, man, like I miss doing that, you know, and it really does make a difference.
Starting point is 01:07:54 And maybe I'm at the point where I could make a difference. So it's like I'll learn from that side of things and, you know, carry yourself as a, as a top talent, but also I have conversations with the people I keep around me will tell me the truth. That's the prerequisite requirement to be my friend. My circle is small, but if you're in the circle, there's trust and you will tell me the truth. That's what it takes, and it's hard. You know, there's certain times, I go, what do you think of this? And I've had friends go, you know what? No. I had that moment where I said to a friend, there was, it was a, it was a concert at TNA and I had a song planned and it was going live in a couple of hours.
Starting point is 01:08:37 I says, what are you thinking? He went, you know what? No. And I was like, you're right. You're right. I knew it. And I rewrote the song and it was a it was a great piece of television. I was like, thank God they told me the truth, you know. So when it comes to family and friends and keeping people, the people that are close to me, they tell me the truth, even when it hurts. In your heart of hearts, do you still believe that a match with John Cena is possible? Time is ticking, right? That, of course, it's possible. Is the real question, do I think it will happen?
Starting point is 01:09:10 Yes. Wow. What makes you believe that? I mean, my track record is looking pretty good. But I can't tell you, I can't explain it. I can't explain it. I just feel it in my heart, to be honest with you. I just, in my heart, I just would be lying if I sat here and said it didn't think it would happen.
Starting point is 01:09:31 Well, I think that when you're going to happen. Well, I think that when you were on the show last year, you hadn't met him yet, right? Well, you had met him as a kid, but you hadn't met him. I had a very brief interaction with him when I was an extra way back in the day, but we hadn't properly spoken. So yeah. So you've now had conversations with him. My job is I need to put myself in position where it makes business sense, TNA wrestling, John Cena and WWW for me to be one of his 24 or five dates or
Starting point is 01:10:01 whatever it is that's left. That's on me. And John told me that to my face. And that's what, that's what's awesome about John. He tells the truth. So he told me at the rumble. He's like, hey, listen, I've got no problem with you saying all this stuff, but it's on you to make it happen. Man. Okay. So then what does that look like for you? Wouldn't it just be fun to watch it unfold? I'm just going to try my best. I'm just going to, I've got, I've got, I love it. Certain ideas. and you know what if it like why wouldn't i try at this point why wouldn't i try you know that's just a a life mantra i feel like yeah like why why not try because if you don't try
Starting point is 01:10:44 then the answer's no exactly don't try it doesn't happen if you do try this is a chance and and that's the thing this whole journey for me has been well why not me you know that's that's what the journey has been for me and it's just it's exciting and you know what i've learned that like if you go and give your authentic best, like you try your best, good things are going to happen regardless of the outcome. You know what I mean? It's like if you go in and authentically give your best and just it doesn't even matter if you don't get the end result. Something good is still going to happen. Yeah, you end up being in a better spot. Yeah. And if you just sat back and the only thing, the only thing I can't deal with is going, I didn't try hard. Yeah. You know, that's the only thing I can't
Starting point is 01:11:27 deal with. Yeah. Because when you try, at least you're putting your best foot forward. Yeah. You know, and then things can unfold as they do, like a match with John Sina. You're right. You've got a great track record. NXT debut. TNA World Champion. Royal Rumble match. WrestleMania match. Why couldn't it happen? John Sina said on Pat McAfee's show that he believes I'll be a major player in this industry. I will give you. I will give it my best to try and make this happen. I don't know specifically what it is. I do have some ideas, but the onus is on me. It's my responsibility to make this a situation where everybody wins. If it doesn't happen, it's one person's fault. Triple H said in the press conference after
Starting point is 01:12:28 WrestleMania that this is your first of many wrestlers. Oh my goodness. How does it feel hearing that? it's and he did say that to me backstage exactly as he said it in the press conference is exactly what he said to me and this is what I really like about my interactions with Triple H he's an awesome guy like he's he's just a cool guy and for him to take that moment to come over when he's producing WrestleMania to come over because that moment is for me it's for nobody else for him to give me that moment and very busy to go hey listen like you'll be here again but this is the fun one you know for him to he knows what he's doing and in a way him tell me that takes all the nerves away, doesn't it?
Starting point is 01:13:07 It allows you to go out there and be free and enjoy the moment. And he did that at Rumble as well, because it could be an overwhelming moment for people. You know, I don't, I have no idea why I was so calm at wrestling. I do suspect it's because I ran it through so many times in my head over the last year. But I was. And part of that is because he took the time to have that conversation. And he doesn't need to do that.
Starting point is 01:13:30 Like, the amount of self-awareness he has, in that moment to get up, come over to you, like you said, that's a moment just for you. Yeah. That's not a moment for him to progress the show or do anything. It's just a moment to be like, hey, man, you got this. Yeah. And that's what I love about the partnership as well. I feel like everybody has just got great intentions.
Starting point is 01:13:52 And it's, I feel the same way like, I feel that TNA does its best to give the warmest welcome to town when they come over as well. And that's what I love about the partnership. Yeah, it's pretty amazing for Triple H to say, like, this won't be your last WrestleMania. Yeah. It's hard for me to think about it because so many unprecedented things have happened in my life. I'm just like, man, what did I do to deserve all this, you know? But yeah, that was an incredible moment.
Starting point is 01:14:26 I really do hope that there are WrestleMania moments. And, you know, who knows what's going to happen next? I'm in my contract here right now. It's a very exciting time. And I'm doing my best to give my best to the performance, give the audience, everything I can give, and to enjoy it. Do you think about what's next? You have all of these amazing moments.
Starting point is 01:14:53 And it feels like just when it can't get any bigger, somehow you're at the Royal Rumble. When that can't get any bigger, somehow you're at WrestleMania. Do you think about what's next? Honestly, not much. And the reason is because there's so much going on that I have to respond to, I have to give my best to what's immediately next.
Starting point is 01:15:14 So if there's a promo, right, I've got to give that my best. There's a match. I've got to give that my best. We're doing this interview. I've got to give this my best. There's always things happening. And as the Rock said this, being great is being good over a long period of time. I love that.
Starting point is 01:15:27 Yeah. So it's like you're just trying to, to give your best to each individual instance and scenario that you're put that's put in front of you. And that's what I'm trying to do. So I'm not hyper focused on, you know, what is next long term. I'm just trying to do the best I can. And right now, I'm the TNA wrestling world champion. And my job is to bring as many people and as many eyeballs as I can to TNA wrestling. I guess the other way of putting it is it's how do you capitalize? Like how do you capitalize on these big moments?
Starting point is 01:16:02 And I guess one of them like this video game. Yeah. Tell me about that. So this is like an interesting story. I was, I think it was the third wrestler on Twitch, way back in the day in like 2017. And the game that me and my brother used to play on Twitch
Starting point is 01:16:17 was player unknown battlegrounds or PubG. And again, you're just go, this is where you're going, this just, this too like a movie. If you wrote the life down and said, it would be too unbelievable as a movie.
Starting point is 01:16:28 So the video game company that reached out that wanted to work with us was PubG Mobile. So we got to, you know, and this is this is huge for like a TNI wrestler to get like a major video game. It's kind of cool as well because it's like, you know, like John Cena's in Fortnite and I'm in PubG. You know what I mean? It's like they're the two competing video games. It's just really cool. So to be in PubG Mobile and to get that like for them to come to us when there's videos of me and my brother going like, yeah. When we're playing it in 2017, it's wild.
Starting point is 01:17:03 So that's, that's been awesome. There's, you know, the other day, like we went along to L.A. Galaxy and, you know,
Starting point is 01:17:09 they got me my own, like, like, football jersey, or soccer jersey, shall I say, because I'm here. And,
Starting point is 01:17:16 you know, it's like we went to see the Detroit Pistons. And it's a lot of, like, major brands are reaching out now. And I'm getting really, like, really big,
Starting point is 01:17:25 like comedians and reaching out. And, and interested in doing things. And there's a lot of requests and people that want to get involved in. It's very, very humbling. I've heard a lot of people say that when you get to this level, one of the biggest superpowers is learning how to say no. That's got to be a difficult thing.
Starting point is 01:17:43 You're being pulled in so many different directions. You or your team has to have the ability to go, no or not right now. I'm pretty good at that. I'm pretty good at that. I think that what you have to do is understand what is important. What are you really trying to achieve? I think you can only really communicate one narrative at any given time.
Starting point is 01:18:11 And I think that you have to decide what that is and every activity that you do has to support that. You have to make choices. Before a couple of years ago, you know, I was an amateur wrestler and a pro wrestler and I'm doing music and I'm live streaming. and I'm doing da-da-da-da-da-da-da. And actually you have to go, I love all these things, and I'm good at this one, and I'm good at this one, but they all have to go and I have to commit to pro wrestling. Since we love great quotes,
Starting point is 01:18:39 the man who chases two rabbits, catches none. There you go. Right. So when you're hyper-focused on one thing, it's easy to say no to other things that I guess won't help along the way. Yeah, I wouldn't say it's easy. I think the thing that's tough is it's like something I do struggle with and I was like people are reaching out to me all day,
Starting point is 01:18:55 every day and I've got an amazing team now, like an amazing team. And they're really helping me focus on the creative part of what I do. And they, I trust them to handle the business side of things. So that really is amazing. But there's a lot of people who I get messages like all day, every day of people who I know from years ago or from colleagues or forever. And you go, oh, God, I haven't responded to this one in five days. And I haven't responded to this. And you're trying to play catch up. And I can understand why people would think that you're being rude. but it's really just the volume of what's going to. It's a lot.
Starting point is 01:19:28 That side of things is a lot for one person's day. With all of the bookings you have and all the travel you've been doing, have you thought about getting a place in the US? Certainly. Certainly, yeah. That's, you know, that's, I was kind of thinking about it last shoot as well, but I think we're at the point now where, like I say,
Starting point is 01:19:45 I've been home for, I was home for one full day, the time before I was home for two full days. I love Scotland. I love it. But, you know, I just, and any difficulty. Yeah, even if it's just like an apartment or something that's like a home base here
Starting point is 01:20:01 that you can come back to and wash your clothes. How do you pack clothes for a month? That's tough. That's tough. It's just like laundry is one of the biggest challenges that have in my life right now, which I suppose is a pretty sweet place to be if I'm looking at it. If laundry is near the top of the list of issues you've got, I'll take that. I would guess it's laundry and figuring out when and where to dye your hair.
Starting point is 01:20:23 That I've got covered. I've got that cover. How do you have that covered? So I've got a backup in Orlando, but I've got two places I can go back home as well. You're awesome. Okay. So if you can't make it back home,
Starting point is 01:20:35 you've got a spot in Orlando. I've got a spot in Orlando. What if it's like a last minute thing? Like, oh my gosh, it's not looking the way I want to look and I've got a WrestleMania match. We'll cross that bridge. Across that bridge.
Starting point is 01:20:46 I haven't thought about it, but don't put more problems in my head. Laundry's already there. I wasn't worried about the head until that. Laundry and hair. Yeah. The biggest problem. Yeah. But yeah, just having a place here so that your flights are at most five hours instead of.
Starting point is 01:21:00 Yeah. What's your flight from Scotland, L.A.? My travel days are usually full day, right? If you count me leaving my house and going to the airport, my travel days are between 21 and 28, I would say. I had a similar conversation with Will Osprey about this. Yeah, he flies every week. His is insane. Yeah.
Starting point is 01:21:20 He put out like the amount of this was just flying time, not the leaving the airport. sitting in the airport, boarding the plane, all that. He had already spent a week of time in the air. And it was like two months into the year. I said, dude, extrapolate that out over the year. You're spending a month in the air. The thing is, though, like, we're living our dream. You know, we are living our dream.
Starting point is 01:21:42 Like, it's just, it's, that is part of the price that you pay and I will happily pay it. Because there are so many people who would love to be in this position and who are talented enough to be in this position. And I can't disrespect the opportunity that I've had by moaning about travel. It is tough, but you know what? It's just part of it. What do you think is the biggest lesson that you've learned over this last year by yourself? So how do you mean by myself? So it could be anything. It could be as simple as like, I can function on less sleep than I thought. Or it could be something maybe more philosophical about like a lesson you've learned, you know, about your core.
Starting point is 01:22:24 I think that I've invented, the weird thing is, despite how busy I've become, I've invested exponentially more time in quality friendships over the last year. And I do, there's a lot of friends back home who I miss. And, but on the road, I now have like a road family. You know what I mean? So it's like, and seeing them, no matter how tired I am or whatever, it's just like, everything's great. Everything's great.
Starting point is 01:22:48 I have like human beings. We just need that sense of community. And like being, doing what I'm doing is super lonely. And actually, I'm glad you bring that up because that is the hardest part of this all. Is I remember when I was in Orlando and I was doing signings, conventions, NXT, TNA, training full time at the performance center. There was a moment where I got back to the apartment. And there was literally no noise. So you know when like you turn off the TV or you turn, I just went and I was like, oh, I'm alone.
Starting point is 01:23:19 and you realize that the irony is you're meeting hundreds of people every week who are really excited about what you do but those little moments you're like man I haven't seen my my family in weeks haven't done anything with friends in such a long time you're achieving your dream you're doing all these great things but a lot of the time you are absolutely by yourself and that moment of silence it hit me like a ton of bricks I was like whoa having like a road family and that's one of the things that's like amazing about TNA wrestling is it is a fan. And having them there, it's just it does not matter what's happened. It doesn't matter how tired I'm like, can't wait to see them.
Starting point is 01:24:04 We're going to get dinner when I land. We're going to, you know what I mean? And it's like those moments and the laughs that we've shared over the last year, there's some of the, like, I'll cherish those men. And they're as important to me as any of the other big moments is just, you know, because I was very closed off for a long period of time. I did not socialize in wrestling because I didn't, I felt like I hadn't figured it out enough. So it was like I was just stressed all day every day when I would go to work. So I was like, man, I can't figure this puzzle
Starting point is 01:24:35 out. You know, now that I do feel more comfortable in what I'm doing and I, you know, feel like I am contributing and I'm starting to get it, you know, now I feel like I can, you know what, I'm going to take a few hours to go and hang out of my friends. And there will be times where we do tapings where we'll fit we'll get back i'll get back from the meeting meet and like you know could be one in the morning and i'll do you know what i will set up until three four in the morning even though i will sacrifice sleep to just have that sense of community for a little so that's that's the thing i've learned most is having gratitude for the community around you do you feel like some of the only time you can have to reflect is when you're on an airplane i feel this sometimes like the moment
Starting point is 01:25:18 from takeoff to when the internet starts working at like 10,000 feet and you're forced to just be with your thoughts, sometimes I feel like that is like, it's like the moment of Zen or it's like a moment of meditation where I'm like, can't look at my phone because it won't work. So I have to be here right now. For me, that moment is when I, there's something I must do whenever I go home. And that's, I must land. I must go pick up my dog, spend time with the family, and then I must take my dog for a walk near the house where I live.
Starting point is 01:25:55 I live in East Cobride, which is between Edinburgh and Glasgow, and there's just a park that I go to where I've been in all positions in life walking through that park, and it's the exact same. I've walked through, I've had a situation where I was, you know, business was losing money. I was in serious negative equity. You know, personal situation isn't what I would have wanted it to be. You know, I was, you know, having a lot of difficulties, but you know what? Like, I get to walk my dog today through this beautiful part. And it's the exact same experience as to I've just wrestled by your wrestling.
Starting point is 01:26:35 Sad thing is my dog has an injury, so I need to get an operation at home. So that's been pretty difficult to just. put to the side mentally. What's your dog's name? He's Gromit. Gromit. Poor Gromit. I know.
Starting point is 01:26:48 I know. So hopefully the operation will go smoothly and I can get out there and get that walk. But that's going to be really weird to go home and not be able to have that one. Yeah. So then what's the moment when you go home? But that to me center. Like just to, you know, there are certain experiences in life. It doesn't matter where you are in terms of your progression in life that are the same for everyone.
Starting point is 01:27:15 and walking my dog through the park was just, it's just, it's honestly beautiful. Like I can't think of any other word for it. Like Scotland's such a beautiful country and to be walking through this place with him. And just, again, just sometimes the headphones are on.
Starting point is 01:27:28 Sometimes there's music playing. Sometimes I'm just looking around and just watching him do his thing, you know, like I love having a dog. You know, it's really changed my life. It changed me as a person. And yeah,
Starting point is 01:27:39 that's it. That's beautiful because I feel like we can all relate to that. Everybody has a place. that feels like home. It may not physically be a house, but everybody has a place that feels like home. And I'm sure that as you're saying that people are thinking about what their place is, and I love that so much. What a ride you've been on, man. And it could have happened to a better guy. Thanks, man. Congratulations on all of your success. I'm sure when you sit back down here a year from now we'll have so many other crazy things to talk about. I think so, man. I think so. And actually,
Starting point is 01:28:14 I want to thank you as well because it's like, I think like you're such a, like a positive person in the space of professional wrestling. And even just you doing this interview with me a year ago, it changed my life. Like the Butterfly Effect is so powerful. I can confidently say if we hadn't have done that interview a year ago, the path would have been different. It just would have been different. Your interview changed my life. The people who do the time to watch your interview and to ask me questions about it, Doing that interview changed everything for me.
Starting point is 01:28:46 And you are, honestly, man, like I look up to you in a lot of ways. I think you have life figured out. And I'm happy for you. I'm happy for the success that you're having right now. And you deserve it. And you've made a huge contribution to the wrestling business. Thank you. That means so much coming from you.
Starting point is 01:29:02 You've got to give yourself all the credit here. All of those things would have happened without our interview. But the timing of that interview was perfect. Yeah. Like we did the interview. You were on NXT the next day. The interview came out a week later. it was the ninth most watched interview of the year last year.
Starting point is 01:29:17 Wow. Like, yeah. John Cena, The Undertaker, Edge, like, and you're on that list. And it's like timing is everything, right? It's everything. Like, if we had done that interview six months before, sure, it would have got a lot of views, but not as many as I put it out right after your NXT debut.
Starting point is 01:29:37 And this is the most interesting part of it. Sometimes you don't understand how critical the timing was. until after the fact. Because you and I did not know what was going to happen the next day. It wasn't until the interview finished. I took out my phone, took off airplay motor, oh man, I got to get to the airport, right? We don't know how this interview could impact what happens next
Starting point is 01:30:02 or how significant the timing could be until after the fact. And that's what's exciting. Yeah, I mean, and this is the thing I love so much about just the medium of podcasting is there are very few instances in life when you just sit and talk to somebody without, every time your phone buzzes looking at it, you know, like you're present. You are wholly present in this moment. And that's what I love about this so much. So like, yeah, my phone's probably buzzed a bunch of times.
Starting point is 01:30:29 I don't care. It doesn't matter because what matters is this moment right here. That doesn't exist in life very often. Well, it's crazy as well is when you're, when I was a little bit further back in the progress I made in my career, the phone would buzz and I go, oh my God, I got to share that like right now. Yeah, sure. The more like the higher level things that I do, the less important this becomes.
Starting point is 01:30:50 And you realize that that'll be there when, when I'm done. You know, it's all, the phone's always going to be buzzing, you know. But yeah, it just comes back to what we're talking about being present. I love that so much. And you and I have so much in common with just the, the way that we think about life in that way. And I love it. And I always enjoy sharing conversations with you, whether it's on camera or off camera. again, congratulations.
Starting point is 01:31:13 I will ask you the same question. Maybe your answers have changed. All right. But what are three things you're grateful for right now, Joe? Yeah. It's hard. It's hard to articulate into words. Like, I'm just, I'm just,
Starting point is 01:31:29 I'm grateful all the time. I'm grateful for the friendships that I've nurtured over the last year. I'm just super grateful for that. I'm grateful for the fact that don't get me wrong I a lot of the time know what I need to do I have experts who are there to advise me on every step but man there's just
Starting point is 01:31:59 nothing like calling your parents and going what do you guys think and even if they don't know the inner workings of the industry whatever sometimes when your parents say you know what if like you know like the conversations I have like my mom my dad my stepdad. Like today I call,
Starting point is 01:32:15 I call my dad. And it's like, I'll say, what do you think of this? And it could be right or wrong. But if he says, you know what? I think you go with that.
Starting point is 01:32:24 And even if it works out where it doesn't just having that influence to go, you know what? Well, this is the path we chose. And it's weird. It's like if he says it's cool, then it's cool regardless of the outcome. And so I'm grateful for the time that I continue to have of my parents.
Starting point is 01:32:38 Because I know, not everybody has that. Yeah. How lucky are we to be able to say. Yeah. We can, we have both parents here. Yeah, I'm, I'm grateful for that. And a third one, third one.
Starting point is 01:32:54 Man, I have learned to respond to the random nature of life. You know, rather than trying to plan everything out exactly, just it's much more fun when you allow things to happen, you know. So I'm grateful for the ability to take a step back and just to just go along for the right a little bit. Yeah. You know? Well, so good to see you.
Starting point is 01:33:21 Yeah, great to see you, man. Thank you for having it. No, thank you and congrats. Thank you. All right, there we go, my friends. Thank you for listening to this episode. And thank you to Joe Hendry for carving out some time in his incredibly busy schedule to come into the studio for this. What a crazy, impressive run that he is on right now.
Starting point is 01:33:46 And I'm glad he was able to come in and we were able to drop right in to the middle of this wild run and catch up with him. and all of this success that he's having couldn't have happened to a better guy. Do you guys think we're going to see a match with John Sina? Like he said, like Joe Hendry said, everything else that he's manifested has happened. So if his dream match is John Sina, I dare you to tell Joe Henry you can't do it
Starting point is 01:34:12 with everything else he's done over the last year or so. And I don't know if you caught it, but he said that his TNA contract is up soon. He said he's in his contract years. so things could get very interesting very soon. Please share this episode with someone who's a fan of Joe Hendry and also take a screenshot and share this on social media and tag us so we can share it out as well.
Starting point is 01:34:34 He's at Joe Hendry. I'm at Chris Van Fleet. And we'll end this one with a quote that I heard from Tom Brady. He shared this on an interview recently. And it just really spoke to me, especially with what we were talking about here with Joe Hendry. What you know is limited. what you don't know is limitless.
Starting point is 01:34:53 Be great. Be great, my friends. We'll see you on the next one for some more insight. Matt Cardona joins us on Thursday. We'll see you right back here for that one. Jim Rome takes on sports. Why? Because I have a job to do. With rapid fire takes. So I don't want to hear from you lava pigs on this notion today.
Starting point is 01:35:15 No idea what you're talking about. You're complaining more than you like to breathe air. It's like you get up in the morning only to complain and cry and moan on social media about things that you don't even understand. He's the spitfire of sports smack. Take advantage of it, but get up in here. The Jim Rome Show podcast. What should be? Follow and listen on your favorite platform.
Starting point is 01:35:34 You've been warned.

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