Anthony Henry talks rivalry and friendship with JD Drake.
This Saturday, Nov. 9, Anthony Henry and JD Drake go to battle once again in a No Holds Barred match in New York. The former EVOLVE Tag Team Champions have turned into bitter rivals in EVOLVE ever since Henry cost Drake the EVOLVE Championship in August. Their real-life friendship and years of teaming together has set the stage for easy nights at the office for Henry when he squares off against Drake.
"I've known JD Drake for a long time," Henry told Fightful. "He's easy to work with, regardless if it's in a team or I'm competing against him because we're two guys cut from the same cloth. Not only being from the same area but our work ethic, which is why we're aptly named The Workhorsemen. That's not a gimmick or joke, it's something we live by. That's in and out of the ring. Being in there with Drake, who has the same mindset and drive as myself, it's the easiest month I've had in a long time."
Though the month has been easy for Henry, he did reveal that no one hits him harder than Drake.
"He would probably say the same thing for me. We've been friends forever, maybe sometimes you hit your friends harder. It leads to better matches. There's nobody in wrestling that I have more chemistry with and can have better matches with. I look forward to the future of hitting him hard and him hitting me hard," he said.
While Drake and Henry compete against each other in EVOLVE, the two men continue to team in other promotions. They recently made the trip to Germany to compete in wXw World Tag Team Festival. Though they lost in the Semi-Finals to Danny Burch & Oney Lorcan, Henry looks back fondly on the experience thanks to the rowdy wXw crowd and professionalism of the company.
"I enjoyed it thoroughly. The fans were a different breed. It just depends on the promotion and where we're located. The fans at wXw were insane. Big turnouts for all three nights, the fans were chanting, singing, and having a good time. They were at the merch tables and welcomed us to Germany. wXw is probably one of the most professional promotions I've ever worked for. They took great care of us. We had catering in the back. They're very accommodating," he recalled. "Some places I've had the opportunity to work for in the states can be raucous. Chicago has a great crowd crowd and the same type of atmosphere. When we do Freelance in Logan Square, those fans are crazy and into it. I think it depends on where you're at in the states. Overseas, it's kind of widespread, and they're all about it."
Along with facing JD Drake on Saturday, Henry will compete at EVOLVE 140 on Sunday in a four-way hoss fight against Josh Briggs, Joe Gacy and Brandon Taggart.
Fightful will have full results from both EVOLVE shows following the conclusion of each event.
