Mark Henry, the WWE Hall of Famer and ‘World’s Strongest Man,’ recently shared insights into various aspects of his career in a revealing interview. He touched upon his reasons for leaving AEW, the financial impact of Fanatics, his return to WWE, and his thoughts on several wrestling personalities. This article delves into the highlights of the interview, providing a comprehensive overview of Henry’s perspectives on these key topics. From praising Chad Gable to discussing potential WrestleMania matchups, Henry offers a unique look into the world of professional wrestling.
Chad Gable: A Future World Champion
Mark Henry is a big fan of Chad Gable, despite playfully calling him a liar. He firmly believes that Gable has the potential to become a world champion in the future. Henry places Gable among the top 10 most athletic and strongest individuals in WWE, pound for pound. He sees Gable as a special talent, acknowledging his potential and anticipating significant developments for him at WrestleMania.
Mark Henry: ‘Golly, Chad Gable. He is such a liar and he makes you want to watch him. And when you talk about Chad Gable, I would put him in the top 10 of the most athletic and strongest guys in WWE pound for pound. Like he’s special, but he is a butthole. I can see him being a world champion.’
Vince McMahon’s Influence on Henry’s Career
Henry revealed that he was ready to retire, but Vince McMahon convinced him to sign a three-year deal, leading to his iconic ‘Hall of Pain’ era. McMahon recognized Henry’s potential and persuaded him to continue wrestling, resulting in a significant shift in his career trajectory. This decision led to the memorable storyline where Henry attacked John Cena, marking a pivotal moment in his wrestling career.
MH: ‘I was ready to retire and I wanted to retire and be able to go home and spend more time with my family. And Vince just said, ‘man, you’re still too young. You can’t retire now, there is a lot left in the tank, you need to reconsider.’’
Fanatics and the Return to WWE
The ‘World’s Strongest Man’ disclosed that Fanatics, a company specializing in sports merchandise, played a role in his return to WWE. Due to Fanatics’ policy of favoring talent associated with WWE, Henry lost out on several high-paying appearances. This financial setback prompted him to negotiate a return to WWE, highlighting the impact of business decisions on a wrestler’s career.
MH: ‘There were a couple of times in the last year and two years actually where I was booked for appearances. But then I was pulled off those appearances because of Fanatics…So I lost money because I was not with the company. So we went to the negotiation table and here I am.’
AEW Exit and Potential Controversy
After a three-year stint with AEW, Henry chose not to renew his contract. While he enjoyed his time there, he hinted at undisclosed incidents that influenced his departure. He expressed a willingness to speak out if AEW were to discuss his exit publicly, suggesting potential controversies behind the scenes. Despite these issues, Henry maintains respect for the organization and its talent.
MH: ‘I had a good time at AEW despite the fact there were a couple of incidents that I won’t talk about unless they start talking about it. If they start talking about it, then I’m going to blast them because those were issues that related to me leaving.’
Praise for Will Ospreay
Henry had high praise for AEW’s Will Ospreay, acknowledging him as one of the elite wrestlers in the world. He admires Ospreay’s humility and willingness to learn, which he values even more than his wrestling skills. Henry believes that Ospreay’s potential is limitless, cementing his status as a top performer in the industry.
MH: ‘There is no limit (to how far he can go). He’s one of the elite of the elite wrestlers in the world, and I have a lot of respect for him. And as good as he is, he still asks questions. He’s humble and respectful and I like that more than him being a great wrestler.’
Dream WrestleMania Match: Stone Cold vs. Kevin Owens
When asked about his dream WrestleMania match, Henry expressed his desire to see Stone Cold Steve Austin face Kevin Owens. He acknowledged that Austin’s injury might prevent the match from happening, but he envisioned a compelling storyline between the two wrestlers. He felt that a verbal war culminating in a match at WrestleMania would be a captivating spectacle for fans.
MH: ‘I really would’ve liked to see Stone Cold Steve Austin come back…I would’ve liked to see him and Kevin Owens go at it because with the stunner and Kevin kind of doing Stone Cold Steve Austin-esque things. I would think that it would be pretty cool for them to get in a verbal war.’
The Nation of Domination Deserves Hall of Fame Induction
Henry strongly believes that The Nation of Domination, a stable he was a key member of, should be inducted into the Hall of Fame. He praises D’Lo Brown’s teaching abilities and argues that the group’s contributions to wrestling warrant recognition. Henry feels that some inductees in recent years are less deserving than The Nation of Domination, advocating for their inclusion in the Hall of Fame.
MH: ‘The Nation of Domination should be in the Hall of Fame. There are people that have went in the Hall of Fame over the last three to four years and I think, ‘Really man, and the Nation of Domination is not in?’ Come on, do the right thing and put D’Lo and the Nation of Domination in the Hall of Fame!’
Henry’s Views on Hulk Hogan
Henry shared his thoughts on Hulk Hogan, admitting that they always got along well. However, he doesn’t care if Hogan dislikes his DJ antics, where he mixes wrestling theme music with modern music. Henry noted that Hogan was always nice to him and he never witnessed any racist behavior until after Hogan’s wrestling career ended. Henry’s comments reflect a complex relationship with a controversial figure in wrestling history.
MH: ‘I don’t expect him to say anything, and I don’t care whether he likes it or not. I’m an entertainer and whenever I play DJ and I play wrestling theme music, I mix it with modern music and the crowd loves it…Terry (Hulk Hogan) was always nice to me.’
The Importance of Weight Lifting in Henry’s Career
Henry emphasized that his weight lifting background as an Olympian and US National Champion powerlifter was crucial to the authenticity of his character. His strength and power were not fabricated, but rather a genuine aspect of his persona. This foundation allowed him to convincingly portray ‘The World’s Strongest Man’ and made his character relatable and believable to audiences.
MH: ‘My power and my strength through my weight lifting, made The World’s Strongest Man. Like Mark Henry was not something that was made up. I was the genuine article, as real as they come and proved it multiple times. So I love being me.’
Relating to CM Punk
Henry draws parallels between himself and CM Punk, noting that wrestling provided a positive outlet for both of them. He acknowledged Punk as a complicated but talented entertainer, emphasizing that being complicated doesn’t necessarily mean being bad. Henry identifies with Punk’s experiences and recognizes that their personalities may not appeal to everyone, but that doesn’t diminish their contributions to the wrestling world.
MH: ‘I feel the same way. Like there was a time when I was a young man, I didn’t like being told what to do and I would fight people and my mother told me like, ‘Hey, you’re gonna be dead or in jail with that mentality and that attitude.’ And I grew up and I changed just like CM Punk did.’
Mark Henry’s Son to Join WWE
Henry revealed that his son, Jacob, is training to become a pro wrestler and anticipates him being in a WWE ring within the next three years. Despite Jacob’s initial goal of playing football at the University of Oklahoma, his passion for wrestling has led him down a different path. Henry humorously ruled out the possibility of being Jacob’s tag team partner, expressing his aversion to the idea.
MH: ‘Jacob’s ultimate goal was to play football at the University of Oklahoma anyway, and that’s what he’s doing…Hell no (I won’t be his tag partner). If somebody asks me, I’ll call the police!’
Key Takeaways and Final Thoughts
Mark Henry’s recent interview provided a comprehensive look into his thoughts on various aspects of his wrestling career. From praising talents like Chad Gable and Will Ospreay to reflecting on his AEW departure and WWE return, Henry offered valuable insights into the industry. His experiences with Fanatics, his relationship with Vince McMahon, and his views on Hulk Hogan all contribute to a richer understanding of his journey. As his son, Jacob, prepares to enter the wrestling world, Mark Henry’s legacy continues to evolve, leaving a lasting impact on the sport.
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