Joe Hendry Reflects on His Unique Path from Amateur Wrestling to WWE Stardom

Joe Hendry, now a prominent figure in WWE, has a diverse background in amateur wrestling that he pursued to gain respect in the professional wrestling arena. His journey began as he sought to be taken seriously after starting his career in professional wrestling.

Initially trained in judo, Hendry transitioned to grappling, finding it a natural fit. He trained at various MMA gyms, where he faced competition before moving to a more serious training environment in Scotland, where he encountered skilled opponents, including former UFC fighter Paul Craig.

Hendry's achievements include winning the British Championship in freestyle wrestling for his weight class, which he described as a significant moment in his life. In 2018, he represented Team Scotland at the Commonwealth Games in Australia, where he was set to compete against UFC fighter Robert Whittaker, although the match did not occur due to Whittaker's title obligations. Following this experience, Hendry chose to focus on professional wrestling, leading to his signing with WWE in 2025.