WWE's Joe Hendry Details His 'Unconventional' Amateur Wrestling Background

Joe Hendry is now a WWE star following years spent grinding on the independent scene and in TNA and ROH. Making an appearance on "Insight with Chris Van Vliet," Hendry went into detail on another aspect of his background: his amateur wrestling career.

"I think the thing about my amateur wrestling days is — it's very me, it's very unconventional," Hendry said. "It all started because I'd just started professional wrestling ... and I found that people weren't taking me seriously."

While he's perfectly okay with using comedy in his wrestling, Hendry also wanted to be respected as a threat in the ring as well. He already had some history with judo, but Hendry decided to train as a grappler, too. It was something he felt came naturally to him.

"MMA has progressed massively, but back when this was happening — this was, like, 12 years ago, when MMA wasn't as big in the U.K., and I would just go to MMA gyms and roast everyone in grappling," Hendry continued.

That only lasted for a short while, however, as he eventually progressed to training in a more serious gym in Scotland and found himself facing more talented competition. That included former UFC fighter Paul Craig.

"I don't know if I ever took him down, to be honest," Hendry stated.

After defeating a wrestler who was slated to participate in the Commonwealth Games, Hendry decided to take a chance on entering himself. He continued training and, before participating in the Commonwealth Games, he won the British Championship in freestyle wrestling for his weight class.

"That was one of the greatest days of my life," he said. "To be able to call my dad on the phone and say, 'I'm British Champion.' ... It's not often that I get emotional. ... I'll never forget that phone call."

In 2018, Hendry joined Team Scotland for the Commonwealth Games, which were taking place in Australia. He was initially set to face Australian UFC fighter Robert Whittaker.

"I was like, 'I must be living in a simulation, because don't tell me that the pro wrestler is about to face the UFC Middleweight Champion at the Commonwealth Games," Hendry said.

Hendry reached out to UFC veteran and noted pro wrestling fan Chael Sonnen ahead of the fight, looking for advice. According to Hendry, he knew that he was heavily outmatched, but Sonnen encouraged him to talk some trash regardless. Sonnen wrote a promo for Hendry to deliver, but the fight never took place, as Whittaker learned he would have to vacate his UFC title if he decided to participate in the Commonwealth Games.

"Then I went and got beat by somebody else," Hendry said, laughing about the situation.

After his participation in the Games, Hendry felt he had to make a decision to focus on one particular aspect of his life, and it was pro wrestling that won out. Hendry spent the next handful of years putting all of his effort towards pro wrestling, and after getting his foot in the door through WWE's partnership with TNA, Hendry signed with the larger company in 2025.

If you use any quotes from this article, please credit "Insight" and provide a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.