Joe Hendry's NXT Debut Draws Big Social Media & YouTube Numbers For WWE

Joe Hendry has proven to be immensely popular with WWE NXT fans already.

Hendry made his WWE debut on the June 18 episode of NXT, being revealed as one of the surprise entrants in the Battle Royal to determine Trick Williams' challenger for the NXT Title at Heatwave. The WWE Performance Center was literally shaking when Hendry's music filled the venue as he received a huge pop.

Hendry's popularity didn't quite match his WWE booking for his debut as he was eliminated within seconds of the Battle Royal beginning by Frankie Kazarian, his current rival on TNA TV. A furious Hendry did speak to NXT Head Shawn Michaels later, though, saying he would ‘appear anywhere at any time on any show’.

WWE posted a clip on X (FKA Twitter) of Hendry's debut and following some encouragement from the man himself, the tweet has become WWE's most-liked video since WrestleMania 40, surpassing the video of the Wyatt Sicks debut. Hendry's video currently sits on 89,000 likes and has generated 7.2 million views while the Wyatt Sicks clip has 83,000 likes and 8.3 million views.

The YouTube video of Hendry's debut has also vastly outdrew anything else from Tuesday night's episode of NXT, having attracted 449,000 views as of the time of writing. The next most-viewed clip from NXT is the full Number One Contender's Battle Royal, which featured Joe Hendry as well, with 191,000 views.

How Hendry's segment performed in the ratings on USA Network has yet to be revealed.

The former TNA Digital Media Champion seemingly isn't finished on WWE TV and the expectation, according to reports, is that Hendry will make further appearances in NXT.