Joe Hendry Breaks Silence After Shock NXT Title Win: “This Championship Means Everything to Me”
Joe Hendry is officially the new face of NXT—and the moment is still sinking in. The February 3 episode of NXT on The CW ended with chaos, ladders, and a career-defining victory as Joe Hendry captured the vacant NXT Championship in a high-stakes Ladder Match. The bout featured a loaded field, including Ricky Saints, Keanu Carver, Jackson Drake, Sean Legacy, Shiloh Hill, and Dion Lennox, but it was Hendry who climbed to the top and walked out with the gold.
Following the biggest win of his WWE career, Hendry appeared on Busted Open After Dark with Bully Ray and delivered an emotional, brutally honest reflection on what the championship truly represents.
Hendry admitted he was overwhelmed by the moment, calling the title a symbol of the relentless grind he’s endured since committing full-time to the WWE Performance Center. He explained that the past six to eight months have pushed him further than ever before—physically, mentally, and professionally.
According to Hendry, stepping into the NXT system meant humbling himself completely. Training daily with elite athletes forced him to elevate his conditioning, sharpen his skills, and embrace frustration when progress felt painfully slow. He revealed there were days where improvement felt like it was coming “inch by inch,” but once things began to click, everything changed.
Hendry also drew a clear line between his past and present, noting that previous years were about building his name and brand. Now, the mission has shifted. His focus is becoming a true championship-level performer capable of reaching the very top of the industry.
That dedication, he said, is what makes holding the NXT Championship so meaningful. The title’s legacy—having been carried by some of the most respected names in professional wrestling—adds even more weight to the achievement. Hendry said he feels honored and privileged to represent NXT as its champion.
This marks Hendry’s first championship victory in WWE. Prior to joining the company, he held the TNA World Championship for 126 days, but this NXT win signals a new chapter—one built on reinvention, sacrifice, and finally, validation.
Joe Hendry didn’t just win a title. He proved he belongs at the top.
