Joe Hendry Is NXT Champion and Already Eyeing What’s Next
Joe Hendry capped a breakneck run to the top by capturing the NXT Championship on Feb. 3, 2026 (ET), and he’s made clear that the celebration was brief: the business moves forward, and so must he. Between a viral theme song, a landmark ladder-match victory and an ever-present media spotlight, Hendry says the win is validation — but not an endpoint.
A whirlwind rise to the top
Hendry’s climb did not happen overnight, he says, even if it can look that way from the outside. After signing officially in November 2025 (ET), he was quickly woven into the top tier of NXT, culminating in a multi-competitor ladder match where he defeated Ricky Saints, Dion Lennox, Sean Legacy, Jackson Drake, Shiloh Hill and Keanu Carver to seize the title.
The champion describes the moment as the culmination of years of grinding but stresses that the wrestling calendar leaves little time for reflection. "That’s the thing I love about wrestling is that it moves forward, " Hendry said. "Winning the Championship was a huge goal of mine. It's something that I've been super focused on, and we got that done. Now the goal is, how do I represent NXT in the best way possible? What can I do to potentially elevate the brand at NXT? What can I do as part of this team to help keep us moving forward and take us to the next level?"
Even amid the bright lights, he admitted the emotional release after the victory surprised him. The win, he said, unlocked a flood of feelings — validation among them — but those feelings were quickly folded into a practical focus on tomorrow’s responsibilities. "Validation is one of the emotions, but there's a hundred different emotions that run through your mind when something like that happens. That's my way of letting it all out, and then it's like, Okay, on to what's next, on to tomorrow. So it's really cool. "
A theme song that became a phenomenon
Hendry’s profile soared in part because of a theme song that caught on far beyond the wrestling bubble. The track climbed music charts internationally, topping lists in the U. K. and reaching the upper tier in the United States. That exposure opened doors, amplified his brand and helped create a mainstream moment that few in the sport ever enjoy.
He recognizes the lift the song provided but rejects the idea that its success was a fluke. For Hendry, the moment was never about luck — it was about seizing an opportunity and driving it forward. When sales and attention began to ebb, he leaned into the moment with bold, attention-grabbing promos and stunts designed to keep momentum alive. One memorable bit had him cheekily asking a global pop star to "take a week off" from the charts to help his single climb back up, a gag that underlined his willingness to use humor and spectacle to extend the narrative around his rise.
Eyeing the future while living the present
Fame has consequences, and Hendry has noticed how everyday life has changed. He’s still amused — and sometimes bemused — by fans who encounter him in ordinary settings, with delivery drivers and strangers occasionally breaking into his theme. He laughed at the irony that convenience can broadcast a private address when a steady stream of orders means more people know where to find him.
Still, Hendry’s focus remains resolutely professional. The championship has not altered his approach: more work, more responsibility, and an ongoing search for the next moment that will push his career and the brand forward. The title is a marker, he said, not a finish line — a platform from which to build the next chapter for himself and for NXT.
For a performer who has built momentum through persistence, theatrics, and an uncanny ability to turn music into cultural currency, the next challenge is clear: defend the gold, elevate the roster, and make the most of the attention that only a select few in the business ever receive.
