During the 2025 TNA Wrestling Genesis pay-per-view event, Joe Hendry achieved a career milestone by defeating Nic Nemeth to become the new TNA World Champion. The victory capped off an intense and emotional match, solidifying Hendry’s place as one of the top stars in the promotion.
Following his victory, Hendry addressed the fans in attendance, delivering an impassioned statement about his journey and what this moment represents.
“You are the lifeblood of TNA wrestling. You’ve watched the growth of this company, and the awesome thing about it is we are all doing it together. I want you all to know, I’m so proud to be a part of this locker room. It is the greatest honor and privilege to share a locker room with the individuals in the back, and you have no idea how many of them have gone out of their way to help me get to where I wanted to do, to selflessly give me the help, the advice, the guidance, the mentorship. None of this happens without the colleagues and staff in the back. Thank you so much to every single one of you.”
“We’re all here for the same reason, because we have a love and a passion for professional wrestling. The next order of business is for me to talk to Santino because my friends, we are just getting started. This title reign, I’m gonna give every ounce of being that I have to make sure every single one of you is still chanting ‘We believe.’ It’s because of you that we’re living our dreams in the back, but we have got so much to go. Are you ready to push TNA Wrestling to a new level in 2025? The thing I want most is for every single one person in Texas to chant at the top of their lungs, ‘T-N-A.’ Let the world hear you. T-N-A. T-N-A. Thank you. This has been an honor and a privilege, and we all can’t wait to see you soon.”
Hendry’s triumph signals a new era for TNA Wrestling, with fans eager to see how his reign will shape the company and who will step up as his first challenger. This victory also highlights TNA’s continued emphasis on spotlighting homegrown and rising talent under its new partnership with WWE.
Joe post-match speech #TNAGenesis pic.twitter.com/nMfxLXg5Fo
— Brian Zilem 🥃 (@BrianZilem) January 20, 2025
(quotes courtesy of Colin Tessier)
