Hall Of Famer Mark Henry Reveals the Truth Behind His WWE Title Pursuit
In a poignant revelation, wrestling legend and Hall of Famer Mark Henry spread out about the toll that years of excessive opposition had taken on his body, mainly to his decision not to pursue the WWE World Championship all through a key second in his career. Henry, recognised for his bold electricity and presence in the ring, discussed those candid details at some stage in a look on Busted Open Radio.
The Moment That Almost Was
In June 2013, Mark Henry was poised for a pivotal shift in his WWE profession. As a former World Champion who had battled a number of the maximum iconic figures in wrestling records and graced the grandest stage of WrestleMania, Henry’s profession seemed to be winding down due to age and injuries. During an episode of Raw, Henry interrupted John Cena in what many enthusiasts and pundits believed turned into a farewell gesture. Draped in his now-well-known salmon jacket, Henry’s actions took a surprising turn while he obliterated Cena, placing the level for a high-stakes healthy among the 2.
Despite the dramatic setup and fan anticipation, Henry ultimately lost the match to Cena. Reflecting on this decision, Henry defended WWE’s choice not to have him win the World Championship, citing his physical limitations at the time.
The Physical and Mental Demands
Henry elaborated on the reasoning behind this decision, explaining that his body was no longer capable of handling the demands of being the World Champion. “I built that for a year. It was a calendar year of me going, ‘I think I’m done.’ When my contract came up, I actually told Vince, ‘I’m not re-signing.’ Then he did the ‘come into my office. Let me talk to you.’ He talked me into coming back and doing all that,” Henry recounted.
He continued, “People mad at WWE, guys, don’t be mad at WWE because I lost to John Cena. The same way that I did not want to beat Taker at WrestleMania is the same way that I did not want to have to carry the strap and the pressure of that. Also, my body couldn’t do it.”
Henry emphasized the grueling nature of holding the WWE title, detailing the exhaustive schedule that champions must endure. “When you’re the main event guy and you hold the title, every night, you’re going to do two walks, a promo, an in-ring, a main event style match, and then you go to the next town. You’re on every show, every brand. I couldn’t do it. I physically couldn’t do it. It was not their fault. It was the fact that, ‘No, I’m not doing it,’” he explained.
AJ Styles’ Homage to Henry’s Fake Retirement
The impact of Mark Henry’s fake retirement has reverberated through the wrestling world, recently inspiring AJ Styles to pay homage to the legendary moment. During the May 31st edition of SmackDown, Styles orchestrated his own retirement tease, mimicking Henry’s iconic setup.
Throughout the show, Styles hinted at hanging up his boots, creating a buzz of speculation among fans. In a dramatic turn, Styles invited Cody Rhodes to the ring in what appeared to be a farewell speech. However, in a shocking twist, Styles attacked Rhodes, executing a devastating Styles Clash from the ring steps to the floor. This move echoed Henry’s memorable demolition of Cena, reminding fans of the psychological and physical warfare that defines professional wrestling.
The confrontation between Styles and Rhodes reignited their rivalry, which last saw them clash at Backlash, where Rhodes retained his Undisputed WWE Championship.
H/t to Fightful
Madeleine’s Take
Mark Henry’s revelation sheds light on the immense physical and mental demands placed on WWE superstars. His decision not to pursue the World Championship, despite the allure of the title, underscores the reality that even the strongest have their limits. Henry’s honesty about his physical condition and the pressure of carrying the championship adds a human dimension to the often larger-than-life personas of professional wrestlers. His story serves as a reminder of the sacrifices and decisions athletes must make, even at the peak of their careers.
