Joe Hendry Recalls Getting Stiffed By Matt Cardona In Their TNA Match

Joe Hendry says Matt Caadona is the stiffest wrestler he’s worked with, and recalled being rocked by a punch in their TNA match. Hendry was a guest on My Mom’s Basement With Robbie Fox and when asked about who worked siffest against him, quickly named Cardona.

Hendry told the story of his facing Cardona in his first TNA World Title defense in January of 2025. He said that he was hoping the match would be good enough to get him invited to the Royal Rumble that year, which it did. But he also recalled how Cardona hit him with a stiff shot right at the bell. You can see the highlights below:

On Getting Rocked By Cardona In Their TNA Match:

“So, next time you see him, ask him about when we wrestling in TNA. And this was just before the Royal Rumble. And I had it in my head, I was like, ‘I’ve just won the title. They’re gonna watch this match. If I have a good match tonight–‘ it was me and Matt Cardona, and it was my first title defense. I was like, ‘If WWE see this and it goes well, they’re going to put me in the Rumble. So this has to go well.’

“And I’m like in the ring, ding ding. [Makes motion like he’s been hit in the head]. Like, this guy is taking years off my life. I’m like, my career is going to end tonight if I allow this to continue. And I remember being so mad. But I just thought, ‘No I need to like–‘ I don’t really like do the whole receipt thing. I just kind of wanted that to be as good as possible. And I remember I pinned him, and I just stared at him. And he’s looking up at me. And he came back and he was like, ‘Are you good?’ And I was like ‘No.’

On Ultimately Being Okay With It:

No, I think it’s fair though. Because I went in pretty hard on him twice on music videos I’ve done. Like I just — those are the two most brutal music videos I’ve ever done. So I think he was entitled to one evening of just trying to end my life… I just have to say by the way, I think that Matt Cardona is is very good at what he does. That said, I would rather face him in the UFC than WWE. [laughs]”

If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit My Mom’s Basement With Robbie Fox with a h/t to 411mania.com for the transcription.