Joe Hendry’s WWE music career isn’t being controlled from some corporate office. The WWE star says the company gave him a surprising amount of freedom to create his new album, Beyond Belief, and that included everything from writing the songs to getting involved with the actual production and mixing.
During an appearance on TMZ’s Inside the Ring, Hendry was jokingly asked whether he had ghostwriters helping him with the album. Hendry quickly shut that idea down and explained that songwriting is something he has been doing since he was 15 years old. He also revealed just how much material he has written since joining WWE.
“I don’t know what the exact number is, but I’ve probably written something like honestly, it’s got to be somewhere between 20 and 30 songs, maybe even between 30 and 40… since I’ve been in WWE. So that is, you know, this is something I’ve been doing since I was 15 years old. Um, so it’s a skill I pride myself on.”
Hendry then pulled back the curtain on how Beyond Belief actually came together. Instead of simply recording songs and handing them over, WWE allowed him to stay heavily involved throughout the process.
“I think what’s really cool about this album is WWE really gave me a lot of creative freedom with the album, with the videos.”
That freedom went well beyond picking lyrics. Hendry said he had recording equipment at home that matched what WWE was using in its New York studio, allowing him to send files back and forth while continuing to add his own touches.
“We had a system where I had the same equipment in my house as they do in the studio in New York. So we’re sending files back and forth. I’m adding harmonies, extra guitar parts, things like that. So it was a really fun process.”
Hendry made it clear that WWE trusted him with a major role in how the finished album sounded.
“Respect to WWE for, you know, allowing me to have a very big say in the production and the mixing and, you know, and to just go ahead and write these songs.”
That creative freedom is already obvious in the material WWE has released. Ringside News previously covered Hendry’s completely ridiculous “Give Joe Hendry Every Single Belt” music video, which became part of the rollout for Beyond Belief. Hendry also admitted that he wasn’t convinced WWE would approve everything he wrote. He sent in a couple of songs expecting somebody to potentially hit the brakes, but that never happened.
“I wrote a couple of them that I thought, you know, ‘Oh, I don’t know if this is going to get approved,’ but I, yeah, all the songs got approved.”
One of those songs tied directly into his WWE storyline with Logan Paul. Hendry previously explained how his original plan for his RAW debut changed before he eventually landed on the “Fire Logan Paul” concept, which then became part of the album.
WWE could have easily handed Hendry a microphone, approved a few comedy songs and called it a day. Instead, Hendry says they basically let him get his hands dirty with the entire project — and considering how much of his wrestling character revolves around music, that may have been the smartest move they could make.
What do you think about WWE giving Joe Hendry this much creative freedom with Beyond Belief? Do you think WWE should let more talent take this kind of control over their own projects? Let us know what you think in the comments.
This transcript was produced exclusively for Ringside News from the original recording. Republishing the transcription in full is prohibited. When using excerpts, provide prominent credit and a link to this article.
