Joe Hendry feels WWE-TNA relationship ‘benefits everybody’

Joe Hendry feels the working relationship between WWE and TNA Wrestling has been a mutually beneficial one.

Hendry has now made multiple appearances in NXT, helping him continue to build momentum ahead of challenging for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship at Slammiversary. He told Sports Illustrated that the WWE-TNA partnership has helped fans realize how much talent exists in TNA.

“The world is waking up to the level of talent we have in TNA,” Hendry said. “We’re thrilled to work with WWE in a way that benefits everybody–NXT, TNA, and wrestling fans. And we’re going to see something special at Slammiversary. You’re about to witness a defining moment in professional wrestling.”

Slammiversary is being held in Montreal this Saturday night. At the pay-per-view, Moose will defend his TNA World Heavyweight Championship against Hendry, Josh Alexander, Frankie Kazarian, Nic Nemeth, and Steve Maclin in a six-way elimination match.

Though he’s never held the TNA World Championship before, Hendry sees himself as “the champion without the belt.”

“Cody Rhodes spoke about this with Ariel Helwani, and it’s a principle I genuinely believe. Cody was talking to John Cena about his loss at WrestleMania [39], and Cena told him to be the champion without the belt,” Hendry said. “That really hit me. In TNA, I am the champion without the belt. Now it’s time for me to win at Slammiversary.”

Hendry, who is from Scotland, is a one-time Digital Media Champion in TNA. He’s a veteran of the UK indie scene and was previously with Ring of Honor when ROH was owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group.

In part, Hendry’s recent rise has been driven by his “I Believe in Joe Hendry” theme music catching on with fans and going viral on social media. Hendry said last month that the pop he received for his NXT debut “absolutely exceeded all expectations” that he could have had.

The main event of NXT last week was Hendry & Trick Williams defeating Ethan Page & Shawn Spears.