Joe Hendry Comments on Wanted His TNA World Title Victory to Feel Like Steve Austin at WrestleMania 14
As noted before, Joe Hendry defeated Nic Nemeth to become the new TNA World Champion at this past Sunday’s TNA Genesis 2025 event in Garland, Texas.
A recent episode of The Bob Culture podcast featured Hendry as the guest. One of the topics discussed included Hendry’s thoughts about his championship victory celebration at the event and how he wanted the moment to feel like Stone Cold Steve Austin winning the WWE Championship at WWE WrestleMania 14 in 1998.
“Yeah, I made a conscious decision of how I would react. Some things are organic and in the moment and other things you think, this is how I would like this to go. I remember when the three count hit I just took a moment to collect myself, I wanted it to feel like when Steve Austin first won the title at WrestleMania 14. I didn’t want it to be like, because my family were there in attendance. I didn’t want it to be a moment where, everybody’s crying and all this. I wanted it to be very much, this is my time now and I’m taking the throne. That’s how it was supposed to feel. That’s how I felt. I got up on the turnbuckle. It was an amazing feeling. It’s, 12 years of hard work. Whirlwind of a year in 2024 and we finally got it done.”
Transcript h/t: Fightful.com
Rocky Romero Comments on Timeframe for Potential In-Ring Retirement
A recent episode of the AEW Unrestricted podcast featured AEW and NJPW official and talent Rocky Romero as the guest. One of the topics discussed included Romero’s thoughts about the future of his wrestling career and potential in-ring retirement plans.
“Something like that, yeah. I try not to keep track, I know it’s above 20 and I just say 20 plus because it just makes it easier. When you start to see your contemporaries and the guys that you came up with start to kind of make the decision to go away, you start to think, oh wow, it’s maybe coming a little faster than expected. I don’t know, I think about it all the time and it changes. Some days I’m like, maybe three more years. Some days it’s like, oh, maybe five, I’m feeling really good. I don’t see it more than five, I think I’m getting closer and closer to it. The busier that I get, even though it’s the thing I love the most — to be able to perform in the ring and have the crowd go nuts, there’s nothing like it. It’s hard to walk away when you put it that way and you think about all these moments and it’s been my life for so long. It’s the one thing I was enthralled with and fascinated by was professional wrestling. It’s gonna be weird. I never really thought I’d make it to these heights, I never expected to make it as far as I have. I don’t take it for granted and when it happens, I don’t know how it’ll happen. I don’t know if I’ll have a send off or I’ll just go quietly into the sunset, I don’t know. We’re getting closer though, I can feel it.”
Transcript h/t: Fightful.com
Kurt Angle Comments More on Online “Perc Angle” Nickname for Him
As noted before, WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle stated in a recent interview with Chris Van Vliet that the online “Perc Angle” nickname to describe his career with TNA Wrestling actually hurts his feelings to be called it.
Angle recently issued further comments on Twitter about his feelings about the “Perc Angle” nickname situation.
“I’ve noticed the ‘Perc Angle’ nickname trending on social media. While I know it’s made in jest, it reminds me of a time when I struggled deeply with addiction and mental health challenges. Those memories are painful, but they also fuel my commitment to helping others. I’ve been clean for 12 years and have since built a life dedicated to purpose and service. Addiction destroys lives, but it’s never too late to get help. I appreciate all the positive feedback and support. To my fans: thank you for never giving up on me. I love you all.”
I’ve noticed the ‘Perc Angle’ nickname trending on social media. While I know it’s made in jest, it reminds me of a time when I struggled deeply with addiction and mental health challenges. Those memories are painful, but they also fuel my commitment to helping others. I’ve been…
— Kurt Angle (@RealKurtAngle) January 24, 2025