Joe Hendry has made no secret of his ambitions since arriving in WWE: he wants to become a champion, establish himself as one of the company’s leading names and sustain that position over the long term. But while Hendry remains confident in where he can go, he has acknowledged that an injury to Logan Paul has interrupted a rivalry that he believes had more room to grow.
Hendry had been involved in an issue with Paul before the injury, including releasing a parody song in which he called for WWE to fire the YouTuber-turned-wrestler. The Scottish star indicated that the situation left him unable to bring the conflict to the point he had envisioned, creating an unexpected obstacle during a period when he was trying to build momentum.
“Well, I mean, you know, I’m in a tough spot right now,” Hendry said. “So, I was in a feud with Logan Paul. He got injured, so I couldn’t take that where it needed to go, maybe do some more songs about Logan. Who knows? Then I had problems with The Vision and The Judgment Day. I got problems with everybody. So, I’m in a tough spot here. I got problems with everyone.”
A Rivalry Put on Hold
In wrestling, timing can be as important as any verbal exchange or match result. A feud needs opportunities to escalate, and a performer’s momentum is often shaped by the consistency of the story around them. Hendry’s comments make clear that he saw the program with Paul as an avenue that could have produced more material, including further musical parodies that have become a familiar part of his presentation.
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Paul’s injury meant that Hendry could not continue that path as planned. Hendry did not offer a timetable for Paul’s return or suggest what the eventual conclusion of their rivalry might be. Instead, he spoke about the practical effect of an opponent’s absence: a story that was underway could no longer advance in the direction he wanted.
That does not mean Hendry has been left without opposition. He stated that he has found himself at odds with multiple groups and names, specifically mentioning The Vision and The Judgment Day. That broad list of enemies has kept him in the mix, even if it has also left him describing his current circumstances as difficult.
For Hendry, the central issue is not simply finding someone to argue with on television. It is finding the right path to championship contention. His remarks framed every current rivalry, setback and change of plans as part of a larger effort to prove that he belongs near the top of WWE.
Confidence Built From NXT Success
Hendry’s belief in his WWE potential is rooted in what he accomplished in NXT. The former TNA World Champion said that winning the NXT Championship gave him confirmation that he could thrive in the company’s system and perform at a championship level.
“But, I mean, for me, my goal is to be a champion in WWE,” Hendry said. “You know, when I got to NXT and I became NXT Champion, I knew I could do it. I know that I can be a top star in WWE. I have the tools to do it. So, that’s what I’m trying to do. I’m trying to become one of the top guys over a long period of time. That’s my long-term goal.”
That is an important distinction in Hendry’s approach. He is not presenting a title victory as an endpoint. His stated objective is durability: becoming one of WWE’s top acts and remaining there over time. The confidence is direct, but it is paired with an acknowledgment that his current position still requires work.
Hendry’s background has prepared him to make that case in a distinctive way. His songs and personality-driven segments give him a means of responding to rivals that differs from a conventional promo. At the same time, his comments about becoming a top WWE star show that he is focused on more than viral moments or one-off confrontations. He wants those elements to lead to tangible progress in the ring and, ultimately, championship success.
The interruption of the Logan Paul story may have slowed one potential route forward, but Hendry’s broader outlook has not changed. He continues to see himself as someone with the ability to reach the top tier, even if the immediate road has become less straightforward.
The Intercontinental Championship Is on Hendry’s Radar
While the long-term destination for Hendry is world championship status, he also has a more immediate prize in mind. Hendry has expressed interest in winning a title on WWE’s main roster and has his eye on the Intercontinental Championship, currently held by Chad Gable.
The Intercontinental Championship would represent a significant step in Hendry’s stated plan. It would give him a main-roster title while providing a clear marker of advancement beyond his NXT success. For a wrestler seeking to establish himself as a long-term centerpiece, winning a championship of that stature would also offer the chance to demonstrate consistency against a range of challengers.
Gable’s position as champion gives Hendry a defined target, but Hendry has not suggested that an opportunity is guaranteed or imminent. His recent results underline why he describes the climb as a work in progress. Before he can turn title ambitions into a match, Hendry will need to regain momentum amid several ongoing conflicts.
There is also a wider point in Hendry’s comments: he is willing to work through the stages required to get there. He still wants to become world champion, but he recognizes that reaching that level is not automatic. A main-roster championship, including the Intercontinental Title, would be a meaningful achievement while also strengthening his argument that he can be a leading WWE star.
Judgment Day Remains a Major Obstacle
Hendry’s present issues with The Judgment Day have added another complication to his pursuit of gold. He has been feuding with the group, with JD McDonagh standing out as a particular opponent. Their rivalry produced a recent WWE Raw match in which McDonagh defeated Hendry.
The loss to McDonagh was another setback at a time when Hendry is trying to build enough momentum to challenge for a championship. A defeat does not erase Hendry’s long-term aspirations, but it makes the immediate picture more difficult. The Judgment Day remains an active problem, and Hendry’s own assessment that he has “problems with everybody” reflects how crowded his current landscape has become.
McDonagh’s win also means Hendry cannot simply look past the rivalry while focusing solely on Gable or a future world-title opportunity. If Hendry is to resume his climb, he will need to find a way to deal with the obstacles directly in front of him. That begins with navigating the continuing issues surrounding The Judgment Day.
Hendry’s situation is therefore defined by competing priorities. The Logan Paul feud was halted by injury before Hendry could take it further. The Judgment Day remains a pressing concern, particularly after the loss to McDonagh. The Intercontinental Championship is an objective, while the eventual pursuit of a world championship remains the biggest goal of all.
Setbacks Have Not Changed the Goal
There is no indication that Hendry is backing away from his ambitions because of recent frustrations. If anything, his comments suggest that he views the difficult stretch as part of the process. He has openly admitted that he has more to accomplish before he can call himself a world champion, but he remains prepared to put in the work needed to get there.
That mindset will be tested by how WWE’s current stories develop. Logan Paul’s absence removed one opponent from Hendry’s immediate path. His problems with The Vision and The Judgment Day have created other directions, while McDonagh’s Raw victory gives Hendry a recent loss to overcome. None of those factors has diminished Hendry’s belief that he possesses the tools to reach WWE’s upper echelon.
For now, Hendry is in the position he described: surrounded by opponents, working through setbacks and looking for the opening that can turn confidence into championship progress. The route may not be the one he initially expected when his rivalry with Paul began, but his destination has remained consistent. Hendry wants WWE gold, a main-roster breakthrough and, in time, recognition as one of the company’s top stars.
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Darryl Polo
Darryl Polo is a passionate wrestling fan covering WWE, AEW, TNA and beyond. He loves great rivalries, breakout stars and the moments that keep fans talking long after the bell. How we work.