Joe Hendry is a Scottish professional wrestler and musician known for his larger-than-life entrances, self-penned entrance songs and videos, and for blending real amateur wrestling credentials with showmanship
He rose through the UK independent scene, worked for Ring of Honor and Impact/TNA, broke through to a wider audience with a viral entrance song, and has appeared on WWE’s NXT while holding top titles in TNA.
That combination has helped him cross the line from indie cult favorite to global attention, earning championship gold, mainstream chart success for a theme song, and crossover TV moments that most wrestlers only dream about.
This article is a complete, easy-to-read guide to Joe Hendry: his background, amateur wrestling roots, pro career highlights, musical side, style, personal life, stats and frequently asked questions.
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Table of Contents
Who is Joe Hendry?
Early life and education
Joe Hendry was born in Edinburgh, Scotland. He grew up with an interest in sport and performance. He later earned a Master’s degree in business and marketing from Heriot-Watt University.
Before turning fully to professional wrestling, Hendry competed in amateur wrestling, earned national honours in British championships in both freestyle and Greco-Roman styles, and represented Scotland at international competition.
He also holds a black belt in judo. That real combat-sport background is notable because it gives his in-ring work an extra layer of authenticity.1
Greatest Story Ever Told 👏👏 https://t.co/CO93V2DHrJ
— Joe Hendry (@joehendry) August 22, 2025
Quick facts / Stats table
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Joe Hendry |
| Birth date | 1 May 1988. Age: mid 30s (as of 2025). |
| Birthplace / Billed from | Edinburgh, Scotland. |
| Height / Weight | Listed around 6 ft 2 in, ~105 kg (billed). |
| Amateur background | British Senior National Champion (freestyle and Greco-Roman); represented Scotland at the 2018 Commonwealth Games; black belt in judo. |
| Education | Master’s degree in business and marketing from Heriot-Watt University. |
| Pro debut | 12 October 2013 (independent circuit). |
| Major promotions | Insane Championship Wrestling (ICW), Ring of Honor (ROH), Impact/TNA, NXT (WWE appearances). |
| Notable titles | TNA World Champion (recent run), TNA Digital Media Champion (longest reign). |
| Music | Writes and performs his entrance music. “I Believe In Joe Hendry” reached high positions on official sales and download charts. |
| Social / viral | Viral TikTok and social media traction in 2024–2025 helped propel mainstream recognition. |
Amateur wrestling: the foundation
Unlike many modern pro wrestlers who come only from drama, athletics or indie schools, Hendry has real amateur wrestling credentials.
He turned to freestyle wrestling in his mid-20s and won British Senior National Championships. That amateur résumé includes representing Great Britain and Scotland at international events such as the 2018 Commonwealth Games. These credentials are more than promotional copy.
They show that Hendry can legitimately claim experience in competitive grappling and sport wrestling, and they inform his in-ring psychology and moveset.2
The independent circuit: finding his voice (2013–2018)
Joe Hendry made his pro debut in October 2013 and carved a name on the UK indie scene. Two things set him apart early on:
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Music-first persona. Hendry was a musician before wrestling. He wrote and performed entrance songs and produced introductory videos. Instead of a generic walk-out, Hendry created mini-productions that made his entrances feel like pop moments.
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Showmanship + sport. He combined flashy, character-driven performances with the credibility of an amateur wrestler. That mix allowed him to work a variety of match types and to play both face and heel successfully.
Hendry wrestled for promotions such as Insane Championship Wrestling (ICW), where he developed the “Local Hero” identity and later “The Prestigious One” when he turned heel. He also toured internationally, working in places like Canada and Japan-adjacent indie scenes, and built a reputation for entertaining promos and crowd engagement.3
Ring of Honor and early TV exposure (2016–2022)
Hendry’s move into larger independent and televised companies included stints with Ring of Honor. He challenged for the ROH World Television Championship and worked at international ROH events.
High-profile indie work and ROH matches helped him sharpen the in-ring craft necessary for bigger audiences.
He also made brief appearances on WWE television early in his career, which included non-wrestling roles and background segments. Those early WWE touches foreshadowed a later collaborative relationship between promotions.
Impact Wrestling / TNA: a major platform (2018–2019, 2022–present)
Joe Hendry first appeared for Impact in 2018 and then returned more permanently in 2022. With Impact (which was rebranded to TNA in 2024), Hendry rose steadily:
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He captured the TNA Digital Media Championship, becoming its longest-reigning holder. That belt was a great match for Hendry’s persona because it connected to his social and music-first identity.
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He later captured the TNA World Championship, reaching the top of the promotion’s card. His run included defenses across company crossover events and even appearances on WWE’s NXT during working agreements between promotions.4
Hendry’s TNA world title run and cross-promotion appearances made him a talking point in wrestling media and among fans. He defended the TNA title on programs beyond TNA, which is a sign of modern wrestling’s increasing cross-company collaboration and of Hendry’s unique marketability.
The music: “I Believe In Joe Hendry” and viral success
Joe Hendry’s musical background is not a gimmick. He writes, records and performs his own music. The entrance single “I Believe In Joe Hendry” became a viral phenomenon in 2024.
Key facts:
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The song climbed sales and download charts. It reached the top 10 on Official Charts’ sales/download lists and peaked in the top 5 on the Official Downloads Chart. The track also enjoyed high iTunes positions and chart placements in several countries.
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The viral success came largely through social platforms such as TikTok, where fans turned Hendry’s chant into a meme and a singalong. That grassroots support translated to measurable chart numbers, proving that a wrestling entrance theme can be a commercial pop moment.
For Hendry the musician, this success confirmed that his dual career path is viable. For wrestling, it showed that modern promos and theme music can break into mainstream culture when fans embrace them.
Titles, accolades and notable matches
Highlights from Hendry’s resume include:
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TNA World Championship — a top title run that marked him as a main-event level performer.
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TNA Digital Media Championship — longest reigning holder. The belt suited his social-first presence.
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British Senior National Championships — wins in freestyle and Greco-Roman at national level in the UK. Those wins show sport credibility beyond the entertainment world.
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High-profile crossover appearances — WWE NXT matches, Royal Rumble and WrestleMania appearances tied to cross-promotional booking, notable defense at WWE events during the TNA/WWE partnership.5
Personal life and background
Joe Hendry keeps some aspects of his personal life private, but public information includes:
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Family connections. He is related to Scottish politician Drew Hendry (uncle), a public figure in Scottish politics.
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Education. He holds a Master’s degree in business and marketing. That academic background helps explain his DIY promotional skills and business-forward approach to his brand.
Beyond these facts, Hendry’s interviews show that he values family and enjoys engaging with fans. He has spoken about the emotional side of wrestling, including how performing impacts families in the crowd.
Why Joe Hendry matters in modern pro wrestling
Joe Hendry stands out for a few reasons:
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Cross-discipline credibility. He comes from real amateur success. That gives his matches a different weight than purely theatrical competitors.
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Self-sufficiency. He writes and produces music, directs entrances, and markets himself with an entrepreneurial mindset.
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Viral savvy. He turned a theme song into a charting single and used social media to amplify his profile.
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Cross-promotion success. Holding a TNA title and appearing on WWE programming is an unusual path, and it illustrates how modern wrestling can be more fluid and collaborative.
Put together, these traits make Hendry a modern example of how to build a brand in a fragmented entertainment landscape.
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FAQ’s
Q: How old is Joe Hendry?
A: Joe Hendry was born on 1 May 1988, which places him in his mid 30s in 2025.
Q: Where is he from?
A: He is from Edinburgh, Scotland, and is often billed from there.
Q: Did Joe Hendry compete as an amateur wrestler?
A: Yes. He won British Senior National Championships in freestyle and Greco-Roman and represented Scotland in international competition including the 2018 Commonwealth Games. He is also a black belt in judo.
Q: What is “I Believe In Joe Hendry”?
A: It’s Joe Hendry’s entrance theme and a single that gained viral momentum. The song charted on official sales and download charts in the UK and performed well on iTunes during its peak.6
Final thoughts
Joe Hendry is one of modern wrestling’s best examples of how to be both a performer and a brand.
He learned the fundamentals in sport wrestling and then applied a marketer’s mindset to create a persona that fans can sing along to.
Whether you enjoy Hendry for technical skill, showmanship, or the novelty of a wrestler topping download charts, his career is a neat case study in how pro wrestling continues to evolve in the digital age.
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