Pod Meets World: Joe Hendry Meets World

Podcast: Pod Meets World (iHeartPodcasts)
Date: December 12, 2025
Guests: Danielle Fishel, Will Friedle, Rider Strong, Joe Hendry
Theme: The world of professional wrestling meets 90s sitcom nostalgia as WWE Superstar Joe Hendry joins the cast to discuss his journey, character, music, and the upcoming John Cena farewell match.

Episode Overview

In this episode, the Pod Meets World crew—Danielle Fishel, Will Friedle, and Rider Strong—invite WWE and NXT star Joe Hendry to discuss his unconventional path from Scotland to wrestling stardom, his musical career, and his creative approach to wrestling character development. The episode explores how Hendry’s persona and theme song took wrestling by storm, his experiences as a relative newcomer in WWE, and his admiration for legends like John Cena and The Rock. The discussion is peppered with laughter, wrestling insights, and moments of genuine connection between 90s nostalgia and the spectacle of pro wrestling.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Wrestling’s Current Moment: UFOs, UAPs, and Conspiracies

[03:33–10:45]

• The hosts riff on the documentary Age of Disclosure, about government admission of UFOs/UAPs and possible alien contact. Will describes the credible sources in the documentary and recounts how it left him stunned.
  • Quote – Will Friedle (06:40):

    “We sat there with our jaws open like, this can’t be real. ... The heads of Congress and the Senate going like, ‘Oh yeah ... this is real. This is all real.’”

• They pivot from conspiracy to wrestling with Joe Hendry, joking about how aliens and wrestling storylines sometimes feel equally wild.

2. John Cena’s Farewell & Wrestling as Pop Culture

[17:23–21:37]

• Danielle gives an overview of John Cena’s (supposedly) final match at WWE’s Saturday Night Main Event.
• Discussion on Cena's role as a heel vs. face, and his place in pop culture alongside The Rock and Hulk Hogan.
  • Quote – Danielle Fishel (19:02):

    “You want us to buy you as a bad guy. You’re too beloved. ... Even though it was a great heel turn ... it has been one year of a send-off but Saturday is the final match.”

• The hosts touch on how kids today know The Rock primarily as an actor, not a wrestler.

3. Joe Hendry’s Origins: Scotland, Cartoons, and Boy Meets World

[24:06–27:23]

• Joe shares his background: growing up in Scotland, discovering wrestling late because of limited TV access, and becoming a fan through video games.
• His first exposure to wrestling was seeing Ric Flair on TV.
• Danielle asks about Boy Meets World in Scotland—Joe admits he never saw it but is eager to learn.

4. Multi-Talented Performer – Music, Judo, Wrestling

[27:23–32:38]

• Joe recounts his musical path: forming a band (Lost in Audio) at a young age, blending live performance, judo, and acting.
• He earned a marketing degree and a judo black belt before wrestling full-time.
  • Quote – Joe Hendry (32:13):

    “It’s about showcasing your strengths and hiding your weaknesses. ... I’d see a task that had grandeur, that I felt was achievable... If I didn’t think it was doable, I wouldn’t give it one iota of energy.”

5. The Joe Hendry Persona: Earnest, Cheesy, Genius

[32:38–35:29]

• Joe explains that his wrestling character “is a terrible, terrible person, but celebrated.”
  • Quote – Joe Hendry (33:22):

    “I’m the guy ... everyone is telling you how great [he] is, and you meet him and he’s a complete ... but no one else can see it. ... That’s kind of how we approached it.”

• He breaks down how he engineered his entrance music for live crowd interaction, using tempo and call-and-response tactics.
  • Quote – Joe Hendry (35:11):

    “There’s a certain BPM ... that just makes people do this ... You have to tell the audience what to do.”

6. The Viral Entrance: Theme Song and Its Backstory

[35:29–37:28]

• Danielle recounts how “I Believe in Joe Hendry” became an earworm in her household.
• The group listens to Joe’s entrance song, reveling in the catchy melody and choreography.
  • Quote – Danielle Fishel (35:29):

    “It’s so catchy ... It’s an earworm. ... It really sticks.”

• Will compares Joe’s musical persona to David Hasselhoff’s German pop career.

7. Strategic Mindset, Fame, and WWE Breakthrough

[39:20–43:47]

• Joe discusses his rise: making parody videos, wrestling in small venues, and measuring success in increments.
• His WWE/NXT entrance clip went viral—over 20 million views—before he was even signed.
  • Quote – Joe Hendry (41:43):

    “Just the clip of my entrance became the most viewed video on X for WWE that year ... I wasn’t even signed to the company.”

8. Physical Demands & Athlete Health in WWE

[43:47–45:54]

• Joe talks about staying injury-free, benefitting from WWE’s Performance Center resources, and focusing on recovery and diet to extend his career.
  • Quote – Joe Hendry (44:15):

    “We do the absolute best that we can to keep each other safe ... WWE has a huge focus on athlete nutrition and recovery.”

9. Mentorship from the Greats (John Cena & Triple H)

[51:22–52:36]

• Joe reveals advice from John Cena and Triple H about pacing and creating moments during high-pressure matches like the Royal Rumble.
  • Quote – Joe Hendry (51:33):

    “He is the master of timing ... [They] were emphasizing the point of have your moment, and when the crowd is at their peak and it starts to come down, then ... you make your way to the ring.”

10. Handling Defeat & Measuring Success

[52:36–53:55]

• Danielle addresses controversy over whether his WrestleMania loss to Randy Orton was “bad for business.”
• Joe confidently responds:
  • Quote – Joe Hendry (52:53):

    “Anybody that says that was a net negative for me just doesn’t know what they’re talking about ... demand for my autographs and pictures and signatures skyrocketed after WrestleMania. ... That was great for business.”

11. Wrestling Fandom, Dream Matches & NXT Ambitions

[54:10–57:44]

• Joe’s favorite match: Shawn Michaels vs. Ric Flair at WrestleMania 24.
  • Quote – Joe Hendry (54:10):

    “I was literally on the edge of my seat ... That’s the match that I think has had the biggest impact on me.”

• Joe explains that WWE has been collaborative about his character, and joining a company with such “creative tools” has raised the bar for his performances.
• He shares his dream of one day sharing the ring or a promo with The Rock, his all-time favorite.

12. On John Cena’s Legacy & The Power of Example

[58:00–62:17]

• Joe praises John Cena’s professionalism—both in and out of the ring—especially his Make-a-Wish record.
  • Quote – Joe Hendry (58:00):

    “He is so professional. ... It’s not just the in-ring stuff. ... Think about the good that that has put out into the universe.”

13. Becoming “Pod Meets World Champion” and Closing Thoughts

[65:17–69:05]

• Danielle and Will formally declare Joe the “official male Pod Meets World champion.”
• Joe playfully agrees, and jokes about composing a theme song for the show—for a million-dollar fee.
• Joe asks the hosts how they feel about reconnecting with fans through the podcast, prompting reflections on 90s TV, modern fan interaction, and project nostalgia.
  • Quote – Will Friedle (66:28):

    “That relationship was always kind of one-sided and now ... it feels like it’s going both directions. It’s wonderful.”

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• "We sat there with our jaws open like, this can’t be real." – Will Friedle (06:40), on the UFO documentary
• "You want us to buy you as a bad guy. You’re too beloved." – Danielle Fishel (19:02), on John Cena as a heel
• "I’m the guy ... everyone is telling you how great [he] is, and you meet him and he’s a complete ... but no one else can see it." – Joe Hendry (33:22), describing his wrestling persona
• "It’s an earworm. ... It really sticks." – Danielle Fishel (35:29), on Hendry’s theme song
• "Just the clip of my entrance became the most viewed video on X for WWE that year ... I wasn’t even signed to the company." – Joe Hendry (41:43)
• "He is the master of timing ... have your moment." – Joe Hendry (51:33), on John Cena's in-ring advice

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 03:33 — Documentary/alien discussion
• 17:23 — John Cena’s final match intro
• 22:36 — Welcoming Joe Hendry
• 24:06 — Joe’s wrestling & childhood background
• 27:23 — Musical/performing beginnings
• 32:38 — Character development and persona
• 33:40 — Theme song creation
• 39:20 — Making it in wrestling
• 43:47 — Athlete health and performance
• 51:22 — WrestleMania advice from Cena/Triple H
• 52:36 — WrestleMania “loss” and its impact
• 54:10 — Favorite wrestling match
• 58:00 — Cena’s influence/legacy
• 65:17 — Becoming Pod Meets World “champion” and final reflections

Podcast Tone and Flow

The episode is enthusiastic and playful, with the chemistry between the hosts and their guest making for a relaxed and engaging conversation. Joe Hendry’s self-deprecating humor and Scottish modesty are balanced by the hosts’ fan energy and curiosity, leading to an enjoyable blend of nostalgia, insider wrestling insight, and spontaneous wit. The show flows briskly from pop culture to wrestling specifics, anchored by themes of authenticity, fan connection, and chasing your dreams—whether in sitcom acting or in the squared circle.

Summary – For First-Time Listeners

This episode is required listening for anyone curious about the behind-the-scenes psyche of modern wrestling, the collision of nostalgia and sports entertainment, and the creative energy that powers breakout stars like Joe Hendry. The stories, musical moments, and wrestling deep-dives are accessible for fans and newcomers alike—delivered with warmth, humor, and just enough playful ribbing to make you feel like you’re part of the conversation.