Joe Hendry doesn't hesitate when asked to sum up the journey that brought him to WWE. Fourteen years of grinding, evolving, and betting on himself distilled into a single word: belief.
In an interview with Complex, Hendry connected that mindset to WWE's new partnership with The General, a collaboration he says works because it centers the people who helped build his momentum: the fans.
"The main element for me and the success I've been having is really down to the fan support and the fan interaction," Hendry said. "That's what I love so much about this partnership with The General, it's about the fans."
The campaign is anchored by a "Fan of the Year" contest running until May 12 that invites WWE Universe members to share their stories and prove their passion for the wrestling promotion. One lucky winner will earn a VIP SummerSlam experience, with access Hendry describes as something "that can't be bought."
For a performer whose rise has been fueled by viral moments and crowd engagement, the concept feels like a natural extension of his brand.
"That's been the story of my career," he said. "It's been very organic… the fan base has been getting behind me."
That same organic energy is carried into the partnership itself. Hendry said conversations with The General at WWE events helped spark the collaboration, creating what he views as a rare win across the board.
"This is a partnership that benefits everybody. It benefits WWE, it benefits The General, and it benefits the fans," he said.
Hendry's larger-than-life persona, highlighted by his "say his name and he appears" catchphrase, has made him one of wrestling's most unpredictable presences and one of the best choices to represent this partnership. He even entertained the idea of the brand stepping directly into the action, joking about what it might look like if The General crossed into WWE storylines.
"I think we all have to focus on our specialty," he said with a laugh, before leaning into a dream WrestleMania moment that blends spectacle, storytelling, and personal dreams.
"My dream vehicle is a Dodge Viper GTS… blue with the white racing stripes," Hendry said. "I'll take a '96 or '97 [...] The first people that are going to get the call is going to be The General [...] Can you imagine? 'Joe Hendry. Say his name, and he appears and shows up [at WrestleMania] with a blue and white Dodge Viper GTS. I'm driving in there with a smile on my face, because I know I'm insured by The General."
Beyond the humor, Hendry understands the evolving role of a WWE superstar. Today's performers are not just in-ring talent; they're storytellers and brand builders operating across multiple platforms.
"A huge part of what we do is telling stories," he said. "Now you can do that through different outlets, with the support of a sponsor."
While those opportunities grow, Hendry's perspective is as bright as ever. And now, with WWE and The General behind him, Joe Hendry isn't just chasing dreams; he's finding new ways to bring fans along for the ride.
