Joe Hendry might be one of WWE’s biggest fan-favorites right now, but that’s definitely not how this character was supposed to work. Hendry says he originally created his current persona with the expectation that wrestling fans would absolutely hate him.
Speaking with TV Insider, Hendry was asked whether he could eventually show a darker side instead of sticking with the upbeat character that fans have embraced. His answer revealed that the audience already changed his plans once before.
“When I was putting together who Joe Hendry is, and I made the music video and all that, it was with the intention that he would be universally hated.”
Obviously, things didn’t exactly go according to plan. Instead of rejecting the character, fans latched onto Hendry, his music and everything else surrounding the gimmick: “The opposite happened.”
Rather than fighting against that reaction, Hendry allowed the character to go wherever the fans wanted to take it. That’s also why he isn’t locking himself into staying a babyface or eventually turning darker.
“So, you know, the audience dictated what happened there, and I think they will continue to dictate that.”
That approach has worked out pretty well for Hendry so far, with the character becoming far more popular than he originally intended. The funny part is that one of wrestling’s most naturally likable acts was apparently designed to get exactly the opposite reaction.
As for whether fans eventually get a darker Joe Hendry, he’s leaving that decision open rather than forcing a change. If his character takes another unexpected turn, Hendry seems perfectly happy letting the audience decide where things go next.
What do you think about Joe Hendry revealing his popular character was originally designed to be universally hated? Let us know in the comments below.
