Joe Hendry reflected on a monumental moment in his wrestling career when he stepped in to face WWE star Randy Orton at WrestleMania earlier this year. Originally set to replace Kevin Owens, Hendry was met with overwhelming crowd support and delivered an entertaining performance in the high-profile match, which he discussed on the No Contest Wrestling Podcast during “The Rich Eisen Show.” He shared, “I have so many positive memories from that day and that week. Working with Randy was an incredible opportunity I never imagined. It made me think back on all the hardships and inspired me to push forward regardless of setbacks. Moments like this prove that perseverance pays off, and nothing can take away that I wrestled Randy Orton at WrestleMania—it’s surreal sometimes.”
Despite the loss, the encounter significantly boosted Hendry’s wrestling career.
Hendry also described his whirlwind day at WrestleMania, juggling appearances at the Allegiant Stadium, wrestling tournaments, and WWE autograph sessions. “There was no time to even think about it because it was such a huge opportunity. I went from WrestleCon to WWE autograph signings, which took about ten hours. Then, while stuck in traffic near WrestleMania, I was still disguised until I was led into a small room,” he recounted. One standout moment was receiving a WrestleMania T-shirt just before his match, which felt like an unexpected and thrilling honor. He also recalled Triple H’s encouraging advice to enjoy the moment and that many more occasions like this would come.
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Fan Take: This story highlights the importance of perseverance and seizing unexpected opportunities in WWE, showing fans that dedication can lead to incredible moments. Hendry’s debut against a legend like Randy Orton at WrestleMania not only elevates his career but also adds fresh excitement and unpredictability to the sport.
